at Saint John's Abbey and University was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 for having national significance in the themes of architecture, community planning and development, education, and religion. It was nominated for being an architecturally and historically significant campus of a leading religious and educational institution of the Order of Saint Benedict. The abbey is the setting for The Cloister Walk, a collection of essays on Christian spirituality by Kathleen Norris. The grounds include the Episcopal House of Prayer, a retreat center affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Ministries Outside of Saint John's, the abbey's monks serve 12 parishes along with various nursing homes and hospitals in the Diocese of Saint Cloud. . The Saint John's Bible The abbey's Hill Museum & Manuscript Library houses the world's largest collection of manuscript images. This library is also the home of The Saint John's Bible, the first completely handwritten and illuminated Bible to have been commissioned by a Benedictine monastery since the invention of the printing press. List of Abbots Rt. Rev. Rupert Seidenbusch, O.S.B. (1866–1875) Named Bishop of the Vicariate Apostolic of Northern Minnesota Rt. Rev. Alexius Edelbrock, O.S.B. (1875–1889) Rt. Rev. Bernard Locnikar, O.S.B. (1890–1894) Rt. Rev. Peter Engel, O.S.B. (1894–1921) Rt. Rev. Alcuin Deutsch, O.S.B. (1921–1950) Rt. Rev. Baldwin Dworschak, O.S.B. (1950–1971) Rt. Rev. John Eidenschink, O.S.B. (1971–1979) Rt. Rev. Jerome Theisen, O.S.B. (1979–1992) Elected Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation Rt. Rev. Timothy Kelly, O.S.B. (1992–2000) Rt. Rev. John Klassen, O.S.B. (2000–present) References External links Saint John's Abbey Liturgical Press Digital Image Collection of Saint John's Abbey St John's Abbey Church on Architectuul 1856 establishments in Minnesota Territory Saint John's Buildings and structures in Stearns County, Minnesota Churches in Stearns County, Minnesota Churches in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Cloud Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota Marcel Breuer buildings National Register of Historic Places in Stearns County, Minnesota Properties of religious function on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota Religious organizations established in 1856 Tourist attractions in Stearns County, Minnesota