Abbey of the Genesee to Close for Summer Renovations

PIFFARD — Over the summer, Cistercian Monks of The Abbey of the Genesee will be closed for much-needed renovations to their church.

The hand-treated stonewalls will stay, but the handcrafted old wooden pews, lights, and flooring will be replaced during the Abbey’s summer renovation, and there will be a break in services from May 26th through September. Services will continue in the monks’ refectory for retreatants. Father Isaac Slater, prior, at The Abbey says the purpose for the renovation is to create a more beautiful, functional worship space for both the monks and visitors.

Though contemplative in nature and without active ministry, hospitality is very much a part of Cistercian spirituality, not only within the order itself but also to the general public.

The Trappists still live by a centuries old document by St. Benedict that says, “Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ.” Fr. Slater illustrates, “There is a peace here that has been created,” he says. “That peace belongs to everybody, it doesn’t just belong to the monks.”

Throughout the year Abbey-goers like Maggie Mengucci of Syracuse share in that peace in book discussions, mass, vigils, and retreats. “I feel like I grow just by listening to them and just by being in their presence,” Mengucci said recently. “They are so smart and so spiritual.” Brooke Remchuk of Plattsburg will be in Geneseo this summer and plans to visit the chapel. She commented on the renovations, saying, “Aw that stinks; I didn’t know.” But she becomes a bit more at ease when she learns that the changes are taking place in part to benefit her experience.

Margret Weider, of Caledonia, a friend of the Abbey for 24 years, fondly describes the selflessness of the Monastery’s choice to renovate the chapel before making other upgrades that they could use for themselves.  She says, “They have their own needs and they are doing this first. Weider has also been apart of the Monastery’s Lay Associates, which is open to anyone in the community.

Impressive names in construction are part of the plans, Fr. Slater says. Anton Skrabl Orgalstvo, a master organ builder from Europe, will premier his first organ in the USA at the Abbey this summer. Skrabls is one of the largest organ makers in Europe; they cast their own pipes and are stocked with wood from all over the globe. At the Abbey, they will be building an organ with a red oak case to match the red oak furniture that graces the chapel.

The architect on the project, J. David Richen, has an impressively distinguished career specializing in Monastic and Religious spaces. Fr. Isaac speaks of him as a lovely man who serves also as a facilitator for discussion amongst the community of monks. And he goes as far to say that the project would not be nearly where it is without him.

The monks themselves will be working on the furniture in their woodshop. Monks built the original furniture. This construction will be a considerable upgrade, and the first since its original assembly in 1974.

At one point The Abbey considered furniture making as an industry, but the well-known bread making clearly won out.  Monk’s Bread production will NOT be affected by the construction.

An expanded welcome area, possible upgrades to the monk’s living space, and a new retreat house are also in the planning phase.