Historic Sites of Manitoba: St. Benedict’s Convent and Academy / St. Benedict’s Monastery (225 Masters Avenue, RM of West St. Paul)

This facility in the Rural Municipality of West St. Paul opened in 1961 as a convent and private school for girls. It closed in 1970 and was converted to the St. Benedict’s Monastery Retreat and Conference Centre. Since then, an associated dormitory was converted to suites for senior living.

As of 2022, the land around the monastery campus was sold to a development company for residential homes. The monastery grounds and buildings were purchased by the Southeast Resource Development Council Corporation. The buildings are being converted into a medical receiving home and wellness lodge. The Benedictine sisters moved out in July 2022 but have retained their cemetery. There is no change to the outward appearance of the buildings.

Postcard view of St. Benedict’s Monastery

Postcard view of St. Benedict’s Monastery (no date)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2023-0007

Postcard view of St. Benedict’s Monastery

Postcard view of St. Benedict’s Monastery (no date)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2023-0010

Entrance to the former St. Benedict’s Monastery

Entrance to the former St. Benedict’s Monastery (September 2014)
Source: George Penner

Aerial view of the former St. Benedict’s Monastery

Aerial view of the former St. Benedict’s Monastery (October 2020)
Source: George Penner

Aerial view of the former St. Benedict’s Monastery

Aerial view of the former St. Benedict’s Monastery (September 2022)
Source: George Penner

Interior view of the chapel at the former St. Benedict’s Monastery

Interior view of the chapel at the St. Benedict’s Monastery (no date)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2023-0008

Interior view of the chapel at the former St. Benedict’s Monastery

Interior view of the chapel at the former St. Benedict’s Monastery (October 2018)
Source: George Penner

Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.99500, W97.04778
denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: St. Benedict’s Monastery Cemetery (RM of West St. Paul)

Sources:

This page was prepared by George Penner and Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 4 February 2023

Historic Sites of Manitoba

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