New Clairvaux Community--Palm Sunday 2010
History
In the early 1950's Dom James Fox, the Abbot of Gethsemani, visited California in search of a site for a new monastery. Eventually, 590 acres of Leland Stanford's old Vina Ranch were purchased from Mr. Bernard Flynn, then owner of the ranch. On July 2, 1955, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dom James arrived at the newly founded monastery of New Clairvaux with 26 monks from Gethsemani.
Father Anselm Steinke was named the first Superior and continued to serve until 1959 when the monastery was elevated to the rank of Abbey. Four abbots have since succeeded Father Steinke: Dom Eusebius Wagner (1959-1968); Dom Bernard Johnson (1968-1970); Dom Thomas Davis (1970-2008); and the present abbot, Dom Paul Mark Schwan (2009- ).
In the monastery's early days, the main source of income was dairy farming augmented by a few orchards. The dairy was eventually abandoned and resources were diverted to the expansion of the prune and walnut orchards. For many years the prunes and walnuts were the sole sources of income for the community. In 2000 a vineyard was planted with the first marketing of wines from the New Clairvaux Vineyards in 2005.
Many buildings on the property existed before the foundation of the monastery. They include the winery, brandy barn, red barn, tailor shop, novitiate house, bunkhouse, St. Luke's Dining Room, and St. Matthew guesthouse.
The old Stanford mansion that served as the monks' living quarters was completely destroyed by fire in 1970. As a result, an extensive building program was undertaken which included a dining room/kitchen complex, library and private rooms for the monks. All were designed by Brother Bob Usher who also conceived and participated in the design of the park, the front main gate and the gate leading to the monastic enclosure.
In the early 1980's attention was turned to the guest facilities. The result was yet another ambitious building program that included the construction of a guest chapel, welcome center, library and two guest houses.
The two major projects now before us are the new Abbey Church and Chapter House. Constructed in 1960, the present church was intended to serve our needs for ten years. While it has served us well, it is long overdue for replacement by a church more suitable to our prayer life. Renderings of the new church have been completed and we hope to see construction in the not too distant future.
Father Anselm Steinke was named the first Superior and continued to serve until 1959 when the monastery was elevated to the rank of Abbey. Four abbots have since succeeded Father Steinke: Dom Eusebius Wagner (1959-1968); Dom Bernard Johnson (1968-1970); Dom Thomas Davis (1970-2008); and the present abbot, Dom Paul Mark Schwan (2009- ).
In the monastery's early days, the main source of income was dairy farming augmented by a few orchards. The dairy was eventually abandoned and resources were diverted to the expansion of the prune and walnut orchards. For many years the prunes and walnuts were the sole sources of income for the community. In 2000 a vineyard was planted with the first marketing of wines from the New Clairvaux Vineyards in 2005.
Many buildings on the property existed before the foundation of the monastery. They include the winery, brandy barn, red barn, tailor shop, novitiate house, bunkhouse, St. Luke's Dining Room, and St. Matthew guesthouse.
The old Stanford mansion that served as the monks' living quarters was completely destroyed by fire in 1970. As a result, an extensive building program was undertaken which included a dining room/kitchen complex, library and private rooms for the monks. All were designed by Brother Bob Usher who also conceived and participated in the design of the park, the front main gate and the gate leading to the monastic enclosure.
In the early 1980's attention was turned to the guest facilities. The result was yet another ambitious building program that included the construction of a guest chapel, welcome center, library and two guest houses.
The two major projects now before us are the new Abbey Church and Chapter House. Constructed in 1960, the present church was intended to serve our needs for ten years. While it has served us well, it is long overdue for replacement by a church more suitable to our prayer life. Renderings of the new church have been completed and we hope to see construction in the not too distant future.
Photo Gallery: click on images to enlarge
