1 of 14 In 1851, Rev. Boniface Wimmer, OSB, superior of the Benedictine monks in America, visited St. Walburga Abbey in Eichstätt, Germany, to ask the sisters to begin a foundation in the United States.

2 of 14On July 4, 1852, three sisters from Eichstätt, Germany, arrived in New York Harbor and settled in the small town of St. Marys, Pennsylvania.

3 of 14In 1859, three sisters left Erie for Covington, Kentucky, to serve in that diocese at the request of the bishop.

4 of 14On August 20, 1867, four sisters from St. Walburg arrived in Ferdinand. This is the first monastery complex in Ferdinand.

5 of 14 The quadrangle, completed in 1886, was the second building to serve as the Monastery.

6 of 14Pictured here is the first chapel at the monastery.

7 of 14This is a view of the monastery from the town of Ferdinand.

8 of 14Construction on the current monastery church began in 1915.

9 of 14Exterior construction of the church was completed in 14 months. However, World War I hardships delayed construction by six years.

10 of 14The church during construction in 1915.

11 of 14The church during construction in 1915.

12 of 14While construction of the church was on hold, the sisters worshipped in the crypt below the church.

13 of 14Work resumed in 1922, and the church was completed and dedicated in 1924.

14 of 14Cloister Hall, before it was enclosed.