Information about St. John's Abbey
The numbers next to some of the headings refer to locations on the floorplan above
Just inside the front doors of the church is the baptistry. This unique placement of the baptismal area serves to remind us that it is through our baptism that we become members of the worshiping church.
To emphasize the relationship between baptism and the Eucharist, the baptistry stands on a direct line with the altar.
The silver lid covers the actual baptismal basin. The font was cut from granite quarried at Cold Spring, a town about fifteen miles from Saint John's. All the granite in the church comes from there except for the white granite of the altar, which is from Vermont.
This figure serves as a reminder of our patronal saint and was cast in bronze by DORIS CAESAR.
The stairways on either side of this baptismal room lead down to the crypt chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption. This chapel serves as the parish church for the local residents who belong to the parish of Saint John the Baptist. Confessionals, a reconciliation room and an organ gallery line the side aisles.
As you enter the crypt area on the back wall of the Assumption Chapel is a separate shrine containing the relics of many saints.
As you pass from the baptistry into the church, the confessionals are located on either side of the doorway. #4
Looking up, you will note that you are standing under the free-standing balcony on cantilevered supports. It is a remarkable example of architectural design.
If you proceed to your right to the side aisle, you will approach the shrine to Our Lady. This chapel contains a twelfth- century wood carving of the Madonna and Child. This figure was given to Saint John's Abbey by a generous friend.
Walking down the side aisle and passing out from under the balcony you will notice the folds in the walls and the ceiling. These make it possible to support the structure without pillars. They witness to the skill of the carpenters who built the forms and to all who played a part in carrying out the classic design of Mr. Breuer.
Continuing into the nave, you become aware of the monumental grandeur of the interior. The church is 225 feet long, 180 feet wide at its greatest breadth and 65 feet high at the facade.
The main church seats 2,000 in the nave, choir stalls, and balcony.
As you approach the sanctuary area, you notice the organ console.
This instrument was designed and built by Walter Holtkamp. It comprises sixty-four ranks in four divisions: great, swell, positive and pedal. The swell is under expression. The entire organ is under 2 3/4 inches of wind pressure.
The organ pipes are hidden from view by the large screen mounted on the back wall of the sanctuary.
Since the altar is the center of community worship, it was placed where everyone can see it easily and recognize its importance. As previously mentioned, the altar is made of white granite from Vermont.
Against the back wall of the sanctuary area is the chair reserved for the Abbot. It is used whenever the Abbot presides at a liturgical ceremony. The Abbot is the spiritual head of the monastery.
On either side of the Abbot's chair the choir stalls stretch out like arms around the altar. Psalms and prayers in praise of God are recited and sung here every day. The monks pray at 7:00 a.m., noon, and 7:00 p.m.
Daily Eucharist is celebrated at 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. On Saturday the Eucharistic celebration is at 11:30 a.m. Sunday Eucharist is celebrated at 10:30 a.m. The liturgical schedule for major feasts can be obtained by calling 320-363-2011.
Visitors are most welcome to join the monastic community for all liturgical celebrations.
Looking to the exterior walls of the church, you will see grey square blocks of granite with a cross. They serve as a visible reminder that this building has been solemnly dedicated to God. On the anniversary of the dedication of the church, which is observed on October 24, candles are placed on these stones to mark this annual celebration.
Turning to leave the church you will see the huge honeycombed stained glass window of the facade. It was designed by the late Branislaw Bak, a former member of the art department of Saint John's University. Several monks and students assisted Mr. Bak in the execution of the design. This design suggests the splendor of the liturgical year.
Having made a circle of the interior of the church you will find, through the doorway on your right, the chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved.
Now that you have seen the inside of the church, you will probably want to take a second look at the bell banner.
The CROSS is made of native white oak which mesures 15 feet by 8 feet. The banner stands 112 feet above the pavement and is 100 feet wide at the top. It is made of 2,500 tons of concrete and heavy steel reinforcing rods. The footings go down twenty feet into the ground.
On the vigil of Christmas, 1989 the present bells were dedicated. These bells replace the original bells that were installed first in the former abbey church in 1897 and moved to this church in 1960. The five bells were produced by Petit & Fritzen bell foundry in Aarle-Rixtel, Holland and purchased through I. T. Verdin Company of Cincinnati, Ohio.
The largest bell weighs 8,030 pounds while the smallest bell weighs 1,683 pounds.
The bells are dedicated to the Holy Trinity, Blessed Virgin Mary, Guardian Angels, Saint John the Baptist and Saint Benedict.
We hope that you have enjoyed your visit to this church. If you wish to contribute to the cost of maintaining the church or to the work of the community's schools and missions in this country and abroad, your gift will be appreciated.
Order of Saint Benedict, Inc. Collegeville, Minnesota 56321
The Alcuin Library at St. John's University is also designed by Marcel Breuer.