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The Campaign for Saint Mary's Abbey will also support much needed improvements to the Abbey’s physical plant. Based on the findings from a recent campus-wide facilities assessment done by the Stone House Group, the campaign seeks to address capital improvements that fall into the following categories:
Health Care: As the monastic community has aged, demands on the monastery infirmary have increased significantly. While there are five patient rooms in the infirmary, three of them have permanent residents who require specialized care around the clock. As a result of heavy use, the infirmary’s furniture, beds, and portable medical equipment should be replaced.
Assisted Living Accommodations: Many of the older monks do not need nursing care, but do need various forms of “assisted living” accommodations, such as wheel-chair accessible and secure entrances, larger living spaces, individual bathrooms with wider doorways and handrails. Vincent House (the original monastery building built in 1939) was renovated after a fire in 1975, but is still not wheelchair accessible and the room configurations are burdensome for those monks with limited mobility.
Monastery Building Modernization: All three monastery buildings need significant upgrades to their heating, plumbing, and electrical systems. All three still have single-paned windows and limited insulation. In addition, much of the furniture in the bedrooms and common areas should be replaced.The Abbey Church: In 2016, the Abbey Church celebrates its 50th birthday. While the building remains in excellent condition, some repairs are needed. In addition, the entrances need to be expanded to make them wheel-chair accessible.
