Rooted in Faith

Our History

Westminster Abbey was founded in Ladner, BC from Mount Angel, a Benedictine abbey in Oregon. In 1939 the five original founding members of the monastery came not only to begin a new centre of monastic life but also to take over the teaching and administration of the diocesan seminary, then located in Ladner. Westminster Priory became independent in 1948 and in 1953 was raised to the status of an abbey. Westminster Abbey was established at its present site in 1954 after its temporary locations in Ladner and Burnaby.

Our History

Timeline

1939
1940
1944
1949
1951
1953
1954
1957
1959
1963
1965
1966
1967
1971
1977
1980
1981
1982
1985
1987
1992
2003
2005
2014
2017
2018

1939

Benedictines from Mount Angel Abbey found monastery and take over direction of the Seminary; Fr Eugene Medved osb, Rector

1939

1940

Move to Deer Lake

1944

The first Prior, Father Cyril Lebold osb, returns to Mount Angel; Father Eugene  Medved osb, Prior; Fr Luke Eberle osb, Rector

1949

Contract between the Abbey and the Archdiocese of Vancouver to operate both Major & Minor Seminaries

1951

Theology added to curriculum of Seminary

1953

Elevation to Abbey – Election of first Abbot, Father Eugene Medved osb

1954

Abbey and Seminary moved to Mission BC on Christmas Eve

1957

Silver Jubilee celebrated; Minor Seminary wing completed and blessed; Bell tower construction

1959

Barn blessed

1963

Guesthouse begun

1965

Vatican II concludes; changes made to seminary curriculum, life and discipline; start of concelebration, Mass in the vernacular

1966

Seminary receives provincial charter for granting B.A. & Theology degrees

1967

Divine Office in English; Brothers come into choir

1971

Guesthouse completed

1977

Completion of gymnasium-auditorium

1980

1500th anniversary of the birth of St. Benedict

1981

50th anniversary of Seminary

1982

Dedication of abbey church by Cardinal Basil Hume osb

1985

Blessing of new library

1987

Completion of Major Seminary residence

1992

Fr Maurus Macrae osb elected as 2nd Abbot

2003

Completion of new sports court

2005

Fr John Braganza osb elected as 3rd Abbot

2014

75th anniversary of abbey’s foundation

2017

Renewal of the Contract with the Archdiocese of Vancouver to continue priestly formation

2018

Spirituality Year inaugurated in September (First of nine years of priestly formation in the Major Seminary).