Facilities
The Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research is located on the campus of Saint John's Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota. It is near Saint Cloud and approximately 80 miles from the Minneapolis‑St. Paul airport. Saint John's comprises 2450-acres of woods and lakes, a wildlife refuge, bird sanctuary and wetlands restoration area, providing abundant opportunity for hiking, canoeing, bird-watching, biking, and exploring nature.
If you are driving to the Institute, take the Saint John's University Exit (#156) off I‑94. At the top of the ramp, turn south into St. John's. Follow 1.2 miles on County Road 159. Just after the bus stop on the right-hand side, turn right on Fruit Farm Road. Go 200 yards. You'll see the Institute logo sign on the left. Turn into the long driveway; park along it. The Institute offices are in the building marked Butler Center.
If you are flying, you can make flight arrangements either to the Minneapolis‑Saint Paul (MSP) airport or the St. Cloud airport. If you fly into MSP, there are a couple options to get to Collegeville.
- You may make reservations in advance for a shuttle with Executive Express http://www.executiveexpress.biz/. Be sure to tell the shuttle driver that you want to be dropped off and picked up at the Collegeville Institute.
- You may reserve a car at the Airport. Please allow 1½ - 2 hours driving time to get to the Institute. http://www.mspairport.com/msp/
If you are flying into St. Cloud, you can take a taxi to the Institute or reserve a rental car. Please allow 30 - 45 minutes of travel time to get to the Institute. http://www.stcloudairport.com/
If you have any questions about travel, please contact us at 320-363-3366.
Arrival Upon arrival, please check-in with our staff in the Butler Center, the building located in the middle of the Institute campus on the level nearest the lake.
We assume that most participants will bring their own lap top computers. The Butler Center is a Wi-Fi zone, as is much of the St. John's campus.
Resident Scholars are each assigned a study located in the Lower Level of the Library. Short-term scholars and summer workshop participants have access to the Library during regular hours:
Monday - Thursday: 8:00am - 12 midnight
Friday: 8:00am - 10:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 10:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am - 12 midnight
* Summer/Holiday hours change. Please check the Alcuin Library site for an updated schedule.
A library card is required to use library resources.
Institute guests are welcome, and encouraged, to pray in the Abbey church with the monks. Monks will help seat you and guide you through the services.
Sunday Monday‑Friday Saturday
Morning Prayer 7:00 am 7:00 am 7:00 am
Midday Prayer ---- Noon ----
Eucharist 10:30 am 5:00 pm 11:30 am
Evening Prayer 5:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm
Many scholars do their own meal preparation in their apartments; however, there are a variety of campus meal plans available. Please ask our staff for assistance if you'd like to explore a meal plan option.
The Institute apartments were designed by Marcel Breuer, a world‑class architect. The apartments are attractive, cozy, and easy to maintain. They are well‑furnished, including kitchens with dishes, flatware and cooking utensils, and they are equipped with central air and heating units as well as internet and cable access. All of the apartments have a patio, fireplace, living room, small kitchen and dining area, one, two, or three bedrooms, and one or two bathrooms.