When Saint John’s Abbey and University Church was dedicated in 1961, the community looked ahead with energy and confidence. The church embodied a commitment to bring the message of Jesus Christ into meaningful contact with the contemporary world. Today, our efforts to preserve, repair, and revitalize it continue that work of renewal. 

Designed by Marcel Breuer, the church expresses the importance of faith and worship in our common life. Sixty-five years later, it requires substantial care: repairs to the bell banner, plaza, and concrete; energy-efficient glazing; new lighting; modernized electrical and mechanical systems; and improved sound. Hearing assistance, wheelchair access, and other accommodations will help more people participate fully in worship. 

Renewing the underutilized crypt beneath the main worship space would create opportunities for spiritual formation and a deeper understanding of the Benedictine tradition, serving students, faculty, alumni, parishioners, and guests. 

The Abbey and University are committed to caring for this sacred place and the life it serves. Your support will preserve its architectural significance and strengthen its role as an accessible, welcoming center for prayer and renewal. Together, we can prepare the church for its next century of service. 

Caring for the church is caring for the prayer and community it gathers.