St. Procopius Abbey a Benedictine monastery located in Lisle, Illinois, United States, was founded in 1885. The monastery's is known for it's dedication of services to the Czech and Slovak communities in Chicago, Illinois and beyond.
History
The abbey traces its origins to 1885 when a group of Benedictine monks from St. Vincent Archabbey in Pennsylvania took over the direction of St. Procopius Parish in Chicago. The parish, established in 1875, served the growing Czech community in the Pilsen neighborhood.
In 1886, a brick priory was built at 1641 S. Allport Street to house the growing monastic community. As the Czech and Slovak communities began to disperse, the Benedictines started acquiring farmland in Lisle, about 20 miles west of Chicago.
Relocation and Expansion
The abbey moved to Lisle in 1914, focusing on education. By the 1950s, the schools were thriving, prompting the monks to plan a new abbey campus. Construction of the current abbey began in 1968, following delays due to the Vatican II reforms.
Architecture
The current St. Procopius Abbey, designed by Chicago architect Edward Dart, exemplifies mid-20th-century religious architecture. The structure incorporates a church with seating for 700, a sloping floor, and wooden pews. It features 75 monk cells arranged in staggered rows along a hillside, extensive use of natural light, and materials such as Chicago common brick and oak. The design integrates various monastic functions within a cohesive complex.
Activities and Ministries
The monks of St. Procopius Abbey have historically participated in activities such as founding and operating schools, including the institution that became Benedictine University. They have also been involved in parish ministry, missionary work, and scholarly pursuits, including publishing. Additionally, the abbey offers an Oblate program, which enables lay Christians to associate with the Benedictine community and follow the Rule of St. Benedict in their daily lives.
Recent Developments
In June 2023, Benedictine University officially split from St. Procopius Abbey, becoming an independent Catholic university under the authority of the Diocese of Joliet.
St. Procopius Abbey continues to be an active Benedictine community, dedicated to seeking God through a life of prayer, obedience, and personal conversion.
References
- "St. Procopius Abbey - Lisle, Illinois". St. Procopius Abbey. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ^ "Saint Procopius CC". Czech & Slovak American Genealogy Society of Illinois. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ^ pls4e (2018-07-16). "St. Procopius Abbey". SAH ARCHIPEDIA. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Benedictine and the St. Procopius Abbey Have Split". The Candor. 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- "Abbey Works". St. Procopius Abbey. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- "St. Procopius Abbey". YouTube. Retrieved 2025-01-01.