Saint Johns at 150: A Portrait of This Place Called Collegeville 1856-2006

As Saint John's celebrates its 150th anniversary the story of this spiritual community is told in captivating words and telling images in This Place Called Collegeville. Edited by Hilary Thimmesh, O.S.B., professor of English and president emeritus at Saint John's University, this volume features compelling essays by a variety of writers as well as black-and-white and color images by a variety of photographers. All those who know Saint John's and Collegeville will find that the words and images ring true in this striking book that documents such a remarkable place. Launched to coincide with the celebration of Saint John Sesquicentennial, This Place Called Collegeville, includes a brief survey of what was happening in Minnesota and the nation as background for the Saint John's story. Personal essays about Saint John's first 150 years are provided by writers from Saint John's monastery, the faculty, and around the world. They focus on such intriguing topics as the missionary lifestyle of the first monks to cameo images of some current college professors in the classroom. More than 30 authors contribute sidebars and special features on a variety of subjects: Katherine Powers on her father, J. F. Powers; Bill Kling on the founding of Minnesota Public Radio; author Jon Hassler remembers his college days and his professor, Steve Humphrey; Thomas Merton on the beauty of a summer afternoon and the chapel across the lake. Also included in this history of Saint John's are numerous photographs of campus life in the monastery and the university, as well as images taken by Peter Engel before he became abbot in 1895. Though not a comprehensive history, This Place Called Collegeville references thesurprising number of people, places, and events that comprise this exceptional place called Collegeville.