Westminster Abbey stands on a hill in Mission, British Columbia, a landmark visible for miles around. This imposing church and monastery is home to about two dozen Benedictine monks, who operate a minor seminary for high school boys and a retreat centre. Visitors are welcome at the Abbey for Mass and special prayer times and can also walk the paths there while praying or contemplating.
A Place Set Apart
On our first visit to the Abbey, just after we had moved to the lower mainland, we found the entire hill shrouded in fog. The grey stonework of the Abbey loomed out of the grey skies. Beyond the grounds, the low clouds hid any views of the valley and city surrounding the church. It was like we were isolated, set apart from the world—just as the abbey is intended to be. Then, somewhere in the fog, the bells rang out their call to prayer.
Located about an hour from downtown Vancouver, the abbey offers local Catholics a place to “retreat” and pray. Whether you drop by for Mass, to walk the grounds, or to stay for a weekend, the location and grounds and building all create a space for people to take a break from their everyday lives. One monk has the duty of “guestmaster” to welcome visitors and answer any questions. Guests are requested to respect visiting hours.
Benedictines have always cherished the ancient duty of hospitality to pilgrims, to guests, to the poor, and to many members of other faiths. Christ himself is served in the person of those who come for direction or a kind word. In the busy and noisy world of today, many people seek peace and a place of quiet calm where they can get in touch with God. ~ Westminster Abbey website
A History of Westminster Abbey
The distinctive bell tower looks like a needle from a distance. It stands just separate from the church, next to a walkway that connects the church with the retreat centre. While this community of Benedictine monks was established in 1939, they didn’t move to this location until 1953. Slowly over the years, buildings were added to the monastery until the present church was completed in 1982.
Westminster Abbey was designed by designed by Norwegian architect Asbjørn Gåthe and is constructed of grey concrete. The church building soars upwards with stunning stained glass windows lining the walls. Each of the 64 windows, designed by German-trained artist Lutz Haufschild, are about 24 feet tall and 4 feet wide. The colors in the windows reflect the four elements: blue for water, red for fire, brown for earth, and grey for sky.
Artwork at Westminster Abbey
There were also reliefs of various saints all around the church. All twenty-three reliefs, as well as numerous other artwork around the abbey, were done by Father Dunstan Massey. Like the walls of the church itself, the relief are constructed from grey concrete, both blending in and also standing out. One guest master noted in an article for The BC Catholic, “His art does sort of help in prayer. It lifts our hearts and mind – his crucifix especially. Most of his art sort of draws one to think about eternal things.”
My favourite relief was this one of Saint Frances of Rome. Father Massey’s attention to detail are evident in the faces and the way the garments seem to swirl around each person.
To plan your visit to Westminster Abbey in Mission, BC, drop by their website.
You may also be interested in these other pilgrimage locations around BC:
- Outdoor Stations of the Cross at Little Flower Monastery (near Mission)
- Rose Prince (a holy First Nations woman bured in Lejac, BC)
2 Comments
My parents live just down the hill from there, very beautiful and peaceful 🙂
so beautiful! Been years since I was there , just as lovely as I remember!