The center of 160 acres of natural and landscaped beauty stands St. Norbert Abbey — not only a distinguished landmark, but also home to the Norbertine community and a welcoming environment to those who wish to enhance their relationship with God.
The building is constructed of Wisconsin limestone, quarried in Fond du Lac. The stone trim is Indiana limestone. The roof is covered with slate, quarried in Pennsylvania and Vermont.
Together the main stained glass windows in the St. Norbert Abbey church summarize the Liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church: the south clerestory windows depict (in symbolic form) the Liturgy of the Eucharist; the windows of the north clerestory depict the Liturgy of the Hours; and the Great West Window depicts the Trinity, along with St. Norbert, the Tree of Life, and seven rivulets of water symbolizing the seven Sacraments.
Four windows along the lower wall in the north nave represent the four evangelists and those in the south nave represent the four major Doctors of the Western Church.
Three panels in the south transept near the Marian Shrine contain symbolic images of the Virgin Mary. Intertwined fish suggest her role as Mother of Jesus in the dual natures in her Son; a large lily, her Immaculate Conception; and triple crowns, as Queen of Heaven. Three panels in the north transept near the Blessed Sacrament Chapel suggest the Last Supper, Adoration of the Eucharist, and the Eucharist as Sacrifice.
The St. Norbert Abbey church is a wonder, majestic and sacred. Guests are always welcome to join the Norbertines as we gather for prayer.
The most important area of the abbey, the church is built in a cruciform floor plan (i.e., there are three distinct areas: choir, sanctuary, and nave).
Together the main stained glass windows in the church summarize the Liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church, including the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours.
The four evangelists, the four major Doctors of the Western Church, the cult of the Virgin Mary, and the Sacrament of the Eucharist are also symbolically depicted in stained glass throughout the church.
At the head of the choir is the abbot’s chair, designated by a hand-painted plaque of the abbatial shield of Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem.
In the center of the sanctuary stands the altar, made of Botticino marble with Red Levanto supports.
In the south transept is the Marian Altar with a mosaic of Mary and the Christ Child. Also known as Our Lady Seat of Wisdom.
In the north transept is the Blessed Sacrament Altar where the tabernacle is located. Above the tabernacle is a crucifix by Jean Lambert-Rucki.
The stalls of the choir and the pews in the nave are fashioned of black walnut. The interior walls of the church are faced with a variety of types of marble: the lower walls are veneered with Loredo Chiro in a matchbook pattern, the columns are faced with Red Levanto, and the upper walls are surfaced with unfinished Winona Travertine. The floors of the church’s nave and vestibule are slate. The floors of the sanctuary and choir are Verde Issorie marble.
On the south side of the church stands the bell tower, housing six matched bells. Each bell has an appropriate name, a fitting inscription, and bears the crest of the person in whose memory it is dedicated, as well as the coat of arms of St. Norbert Abbey.
Spacious grounds, and outdoor labyrinth, walking paths, and wildlife pond. The Fox River biking and hiking trail is nearby.
Spacious grounds, and outdoor labyrinth, walking paths, and wildlife pond. The Fox River biking and hiking trail is nearby.
Join us for daily Mass and Litery of the Hours