The print version of this letter includes additional images and explanations.
Dear Friend of Clear Creek Abbey,
It was on the feast of the Assumption in 1998 that His Excellency Bishop Edward J. Slattery of Tulsa signed a charter of foundation, welcoming a group of thirteen Benedictine monks from Notre-Dame de Fontgombault Abbey in France to his diocese. Fourteen years later forty monks occupy several large buildings designed by Professor Thomas Gordon Smith, including a partially completed Romanesque style abbatial church. It is a story of the grace of God, but also of the immense help received from our Friends along the way. We hope you will enjoy seeing a few pictures of this story still in progress. It has been our dream—and more than a dream: our prayerful hope—to ‘build something beautiful for God’….
To date we have completed about one third of the entire building project. Our architect is busy at present perfecting plans for the Chapter House and the Refectory, not to mention the upper portion of the church. It is an immense endeavor that will surely take many more years to complete. But why not risk something for God? We are outgrowing our living quarters and having at present to put monks into used trailers and other low-cost housing. But we must forge ahead. Will you be a part of the next fourteen years? May God bless you and yours, and may Our Lady smile upon you. I send my blessing.
+ br. Philip Anderson, abbot
Brief Chronology:
August 15, 1998: Signing of charter of foundation
August – September 1999: Arrival of founders in Oklahoma
February 11, 2000: Official inauguration of monastery
November 2003: Stone bridge completed; blessing of the first stone of the church
January 2008: Transfer to permanent buildings
April 2008: Blessing of new monastery residence
February 2010: Clear Creek established as an independent abbey
April 2010: Blessing of first abbot
April 2012: Substantial completion of the first phase of the church
Related Posts
The print version of this letter includes additional images and explanations.
Dear Friend of Clear Creek Abbey,
It was on the feast of the Assumption in 1998 that His Excellency Bishop Edward J. Slattery of Tulsa signed a charter of foundation, welcoming a group of thirteen Benedictine monks from Notre-Dame de Fontgombault Abbey in France to his diocese. Fourteen years later forty monks occupy several large buildings designed by Professor Thomas Gordon Smith, including a partially completed Romanesque style abbatial church. It is a story of the grace of God, but also of the immense help received from our Friends along the way. We hope you will enjoy seeing a few pictures of this story still in progress. It has been our dream—and more than a dream: our prayerful hope—to ‘build something beautiful for God’….
To date we have completed about one third of the entire building project. Our architect is busy at present perfecting plans for the Chapter House and the Refectory, not to mention the upper portion of the church. It is an immense endeavor that will surely take many more years to complete. But why not risk something for God? We are outgrowing our living quarters and having at present to put monks into used trailers and other low-cost housing. But we must forge ahead. Will you be a part of the next fourteen years? May God bless you and yours, and may Our Lady smile upon you. I send my blessing.
+ br. Philip Anderson, abbot
Brief Chronology:
August 15, 1998: Signing of charter of foundation
August – September 1999: Arrival of founders in Oklahoma
February 11, 2000: Official inauguration of monastery
November 2003: Stone bridge completed; blessing of the first stone of the church
January 2008: Transfer to permanent buildings
April 2008: Blessing of new monastery residence
February 2010: Clear Creek established as an independent abbey
April 2010: Blessing of first abbot
April 2012: Substantial completion of the first phase of the church
