1973. It is noted for its calligraphy and artwork for the stationery they create and distribute. Abbots Source: 1881-1922 Frowin Conrad 1922-1937 Philip Ruggle 1937-1961 Stephen Schappler 1961-1970 Anselm Coppersmith 1970-1976 Kevin McGonigle 1977-1987 Jerome Hanus (later ordained as Bishop) 1987-1993 James Jones 1993-1996 Marcel Rooney (later became Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation from 1996 to 2000) 1996-2016 Gregory Polan (later became Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation from 2016 to present) 2016–present Benedict Neehan Basilica The Abbey Church of Conception was designed by Adrian Wewer, a Franciscan. The cornerstone was laid on 20 May 1883, and it was dedicated on 10 May 1891. Two years later in 1893 it was hit by a tornado. As the church was rebuilt the Beuron murals were added. On 10 May 1941 Pope Pius XII declared it a minor basilica. A two-decade $9 million restoration was completed in 1999. Foundations Over the decades Conception Abbey attempted a number of foundations: St. Michael Priory in Cottonwood, Idaho; St. Benedict Abbey in Benet Lake, Wisconsin (1945); Mount Michael Abbey and High School in Elkhorn, Nebraska (1956); St. Pius X Monastery in Pevely, Missouri (1951); and Skt. Knud's Kloster, a priory in Copenhagen, Denmark. St. Benedict Abbey and Mt. Michael Abbey are the two foundations functioning today. 2002 shooting At about 8:40 am, on the morning of 10 June 2002, a 71-year-old man identified as Lloyd Robert Jeffress of Kearney, Missouri, went through the basilica into the monastery, killing Brother Damian Larson, 62, and Father Philip Schuster, 84, and wounding Father Kenneth Reichert, 68, and Father Norbert Schappler, 75. Jeffress carried into the basilica two boxes – one containing a MAK-90 rifle (a Chinese-made replica of the AK-47) and a stripped down .22 caliber rifle. Having made the circuit of the monastery hallways, Mr. Jeffress returned to the basilica where he shot and killed himself. Larson and Schuster were buried in the abbey cemetery following the Mass of Christian Burial celebrated on June 14, at which 1200 relatives and friends of the abbey were present. No motive has ever been determined for the shooting. A 2008 documentary was produced by St. Louis filmmaker Jay Kanzler. The film, which was shown at the 2008 St. Louis International Film Festival, discussed the way of life in the monastery, and the 2002 shooting. References External links Official site Official history of the abbey The Printery House Official history