This facility in the Rural Municipality of West St. Paul was constructed between 1960 and 1961 as a convent and private school for girls, replacing a preceding structure at Arborg. It provided accommodation for 33 sisters of the Order of St. Benedict, 20 novices, 12 postulants, 53 boarding students, and 200 days students. Designed by the Vancouver architectural firm of Gardiner Thornton Gathe, site supervision was carried out by the Winnipeg firm of Waisman Ross and Associates.
The convent 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 (no date)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2023-0007
Postcard view of St. Benedict’s Monastery (no date)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2023-0010
Entrance to the former St. Benedict’s Monastery (September 2014)
Source: George Penner
Aerial view of the former St. Benedict’s Monastery (October 2020)
Source: George Penner
Aerial view of the former St. Benedict’s Monastery (November 2020)
Source: George Penner
Aerial view of the former St. Benedict’s Monastery (September 2022)
Source: George Penner
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 (October 2018)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.99500, W97.04778
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Manitoba Business: Waisman Ross and Associates / Blankstein Coop Gillmor and Hanna / Number TEN Architectural Group
Historic Sites of Manitoba: St. Benedict’s Monastery Cemetery (RM of West St. Paul)
[Illustration], Winnipeg Free Press, 28 June 1960, page 12.
This page was prepared by George Penner and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 8 March 2025
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