St. John’s Abbey Church | Marcel Breuer

In 1950, Abbot Baldwin Dworschak made an audacious decision resulting in what art historians have called a milestone in the evolution of the architecture of the Catholic Church in this country. He contacted twelve exalted architects, among them, was Marcel Breuer. Abbot Baldwin asked the architects to submit a building design for the second century of Saint John’s. As part of his stipulations, Abbot Baldwin required a design for “building a church which will be truly an architectural monument to the service of God…The Benedictine tradition at its best challenges us to think boldly and to cast our ideals in forms which will be valid for centuries to come.”

photography by © Flickr user: rburzel

The plan aims at a clear division between the monastic living quarters and the educational facilities. The two are connected by the important structures they both share; the church, auditorium, library, and administration building.

photography by © Flickr user: rburzel

The church and its bell banner are the dominant structures of St. John’s. The main floor plan reflects the basic liturgical concepts of the Order. One enters the symbolic center doorway, down the center aisle to the altar and abbot’s throne, around which is placed the very large choir. The relation of the abbot’s throne and monks’ choir to the congregation defines the shape of the plan with the altar near the center of the church in plain view of the congregation, choir, and large balcony.

photography by © Flickr user: rburzel

Project Info:
Architects: Marcel Breuer
Location: Collegeville, Minnesota
References: Minnesota Public Radio
Project Year: 1961
Photographs: Flickr user: rburzel
Project Name: St. John’s Abbey Church