Christ the King Priory is a monastery of

Benedictine , image = Medalla San Benito.PNG , caption = Design on the obverse side of the Saint Benedict Medal , abbreviation = OSB , formation = , motto = (English: 'Pray and Work') , foun ...

monk A monk (, from el, μοναχός, ''monachos'', "single, solitary" via Latin ) is a person who practices religious asceticism by monastic living, either alone or with any number of other monks. A monk may be a person who decides to dedica ...

s located north of

Schuyler Schuyler may refer to: Places United States * Schuyler County, Illinois * Schuyler County, Missouri * Schuyler, Nebraska, a city * Schuyler County, New York * Schuyler, New York, a town * Schuyler Island, Lake Champlain, New York * Schuyler C ...

Nebraska Nebraska () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by South Dakota to the north; Iowa to the east and Missouri to the southeast, both across the Missouri River; Kansas to the south; Colorado to the southwe ...

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

. It is designated as a "

Priory A priory is a monastery of men or women under religious vows that is headed by a prior or prioress. Priories may be houses of mendicant friars or nuns (such as the Dominicans, Augustinians, Franciscans, and Carmelites), or monasteries of mon ...

" by the Congregation of Missionary Benedictines of Saint Ottilien under whose oversight the monastery operates.

History

In 1935,

Münsterschwarzach Abbey Münsterschwarzach Abbey (Abtei Münsterschwarzach, formerly often known as Kloster Schwarzach or Schwarzach Abbey), is a Benedictine monastery in Germany. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Schwarzach and Main in Bavaria. Carolingian ...

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

, sent two monks to the US in order to secure the survival of the congregation's missionary work during the

Nazi Nazism ( ; german: Nazismus), the common name in English for National Socialism (german: Nationalsozialismus, ), is the far-right totalitarian political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in ...

regime. The "Benedictine Mission House" was founded that year in Schuyler, Nebraska in a house purchased from a religious community of sisters. In 1979, a new monastery building was constructed north of Schuyler with a distinctive style built into the rolling hills. In 1985, the monastery was raised to the status of a simple

priory A priory is a monastery of men or women under religious vows that is headed by a prior or prioress. Priories may be houses of mendicant friars or nuns (such as the Dominicans, Augustinians, Franciscans, and Carmelites), or monasteries of mon ...

with expanded ministries. In 1997, "Christ the King Priory" expanded its ministries and opened a 100-bed "St. Benedict Center" as a non-profit, ecumenical retreat, and conference center.

Architecture

The monastery, mission house, guest center, and small man-made lake for fire protection water, were designed by a nationally known Nebraskan architect, Neil Lamonte Astle (1933-2000). He was the recipient of the "Harry F. Cunningham Gold Medal for Architectural Excellence in the State of Nebraska" and won numerous awards for his design of the Priory complex. He was featured in various architectural magazines for his Priory design and the "seamless form' of his work. The Priory design was especially noted for its integrational features that blended the work naturally into the surrounding landscape, its blending of wood and concrete in the design and construction, and its minimal spaces that still convey warmth.

Present

Today the priory welcomes in access of 13,000 people each year. Their primary ministries are threefold: 1-to raise funds for the many international foundations operated by the Missionary Benedictines; 2-to serve as a retreat center to the local and national community; and 3-to foster the work of "El Puente Immigration Legal Services".

Gallery

Saint Benedict Center, Schuyler, NE, USA.jpg Christ the King Priory, Schuyler, NE.jpg

References

{{Reflist

External links

Christ the King Priory official website

El Puente Immigrational Legal Services

Münsterschwarzach Abbey website

Congregation of the Missionary Benedictines website
Benedictine monasteries in the United States North American Monasteries of the Congregation of Missionary Benedictines of Saint Ottilien