New Melleray Abbey

The superior of the monastery is Dom Brendan Freeman, who was appointed by Father Immediate McCarthy in December 2021 after consulting the community.

[1] Cholera broke out on the steamer the group took up the Mississippi river and, within a week, six of the monks died.

Because of financial concerns, the Abbey's chapel was not completed as originally envisioned by the architect.

Red oak is used in the choir stalls, doors, Eucharistic chapel, and other furnishings.

Designed by Architect Willoughby Marshall, Inc, with construction supervised by Twin Cities-based Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, the new chapel received a prestigious national Honor Award (1977) from the American Institute of Architects.

[citation needed] The monks have a daily routine that involves spending a large part of their day in prayer, work, and contemplation.

They do not use the caskets for deceased monks, however, as they observe burial traditions spelled out in the Rule of Saint Benedict, which requires the body be placed in the ground on a bier.

Actress Kate Mulgrew, a native of Dubuque, made a radio commercial for New Melleray's casket business.