Westminster Abbey, Catholic seminary and abbey in Mission, Canada
Westminster Abbey is a Benedictine monastery and seminary located on a hilltop in Mission, British Columbia, designed by Norwegian architect Asbjørn Gåthe. The complex includes a church and seminary buildings that form an active working community space.
The monastery was founded in 1939 by monks from Mount Angel Abbey and achieved full abbey status in 1953 under Prior Eugene. This growth reflects the expansion of Benedictine communities across Western Canada.
The monastery serves as a working spiritual and educational community where daily rhythms follow monastic traditions. Visitors can sense how the monks structure their days around prayer, work, and study in this living religious space.
The grounds include a working farm that raises livestock to supply the resident community, creating an active agricultural landscape. Visitors should come prepared for a rural setting and wear appropriate footwear for uneven terrain.
Father Dunstan Massey created frescoes and concrete reliefs throughout the church interior, leaving behind artistic details that visitors can still see today. These hand-crafted works demonstrate how artistic expression became part of the monastery's spiritual space.
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