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Mount Angel Abbey recently celebrated the completion of its first building project since 1970, when construction of the renowned Alvar Aalto Library was completed.  The Aquinas Hall dining room was dedicated the 28th of April on the occasion of the Seminary's 15th Annual Appreciation Dinner.

The dining room is actually a 4,400 square foot addition to Aquinas Hall, a residence hall which also houses seminary offices and classrooms.  The addition provides 50 percent more space than the previous dining space, increasing seating capacity from 200 to 300.  Other features include a large fireplace and a stepped wood ceiling.  The architectural firm of Zimmer Gunsul Frasca designed the building to include a wide span of glass to take in the hilltop's panoramic view of  Mount Hood and the Willamette Valley. 

At the present time, Mount Angel Seminary is the largest seminary in the West.  The number of students it serves has been steadily rising during the past 10 years.  Presently the seminary is filled to capacity with 170 men studying to enter the priesthood and 44 lay and religious students.  The seminary serves 26 dioceses and 8 religious communities.

Expecting enrollment to continue its past trend, the Abbey is planning a three-phase expansion and renovation plan over the next several years.  The first part of the project was the Aquinas Hall dining room addition and renovation.

Funds for the $1.5 million two-story addition were raised by Mount Angel Abbey's Capital Campaign Office.  The Lester and Regina John Foundation gifted $1 million to the Abbey in support of the project.  The next step in the construction process is a remodel of Aquinas Hall.  Renovation is set to begin in June of 2001 and it will be complete for student occupancy in September 2002. 

Mount Angel Seminary is a Graduate School of Theology and a college of Liberal Arts in the Benedictine tradition whose primary purpose is the education and formation of men for the Roman Catholic priesthood.  For over one hundred years, Mount Angel Seminary has served the needs of dioceses and religious communities throughout the United States, Canada and nations of the Pacific.  The seminary is committed to academic excellence, to holistic formation, and to providing a solid foundation for growth in the spiritual life.  Mount Angel Seminary also admits a limited number of qualified lay men and women who are interested in pursuing theological education.