St. Gregory's University, Catholic abbey and university in Shawnee, United States
St. Gregory's University is a Benedictine abbey and private college campus spanning 75 acres in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The five-story Tudor Gothic building housed administrative offices, classrooms, and dormitories that served students in arts, sciences, and adult education programs.
French Benedictine monks established Sacred Heart Mission in 1875, which became the foundation for Oklahoma's first institution of higher education. The monastic community evolved over the following decades into a significant educational center in the region.
The university held deep roots in the local community, and visitors could sense the Benedictine traditions woven through its buildings and daily rhythm. Its connection with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation shaped campus life and was reflected in various academic and social activities.
Visitors can walk the expansive grounds where various academic and religious buildings are spread across the landscape. Check ahead about current access and which areas are open to the public, as not all parts of the campus remain accessible to outsiders.
The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, founded in 1914, still stands on the former campus grounds and displays art collections spanning multiple historical periods. The museum has become its own cultural center, offering insights into art history separate from the university's own story.
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