The Abbots of Conception Abbey: A History of Benedictine Leadership

For more than 150 years, the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey have lived according to the Rule of St. Benedict, ordering their lives around prayer, work, community, and hospitality. Throughout that history, each generation of monks has been guided by an abbot: the spiritual father and leader of the monastery.

In the Benedictine tradition, an abbot is elected by the monks of the community to serve as both their spiritual guide and administrator. Following the Rule of St. Benedict, an abbot is called to lead primarily by example, fostering the spiritual growth of the monks while overseeing the daily life, ministries, and stewardship of the monastery. At Conception Abbey, this responsibility includes caring for the spiritual and temporal well-being of the community as it carries out its mission of prayer, welcoming guests, educating future priests, and sharing the Gospel.

Since the founding of Conception Abbey in 1873, each abbot has helped shape the monastery through different chapters of its history. The following gallery honors the ten previous abbots whose leadership has guided the Benedictine community and preserved its mission for future generations.

First Abbot – Abbot Frowin Conrad, OSB Served: 1881-1922 Years as Abbot: 41 Age when elected: 47 Age when service ended: 88

Second Abbot – Abbot Philip Ruggle, OSB Served: 1922-1937 Years as Abbot: 15 Age when elected: 57 Age when service ended: 71

Third Abbot – Abbot Stephen Schappler, OSB Served: 1937-1961 Years as Abbot: 24 Age when elected: 46 Age when service ended: 71

Fourth Abbot – Abbot Anselm Coppersmith, OSB Served: 1961-1970 Years as Abbot: 9 Age when elected: 53 Age when service ended: 61

Fifth Abbot – Abbot Kevin McGonigle, OSB Served: 1970-1977 Years as Abbot: 7 Age when elected: 55 Age when service ended: 61

Sixth Abbot – Abbot Jerome Hanus, OSB Served: 1977-1987 Years as Abbot: 10 Age when elected: 36 Age when service ended: 47

Seventh Abbot – Abbot James Jones, OSB Served: 1987-1993 Years as Abbot: 6 Age when elected: 63 Age when service ended: 69

Eighth Abbot – Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB Served: 1993-1996 Years as Abbot: 3 Age when elected: 55 Age when service ended: 58

Ninth Abbot – Abbot Gregory Polan, OSB Served: 1996-2016 Years as Abbot: 20 Age when elected: 46 Age when service ended: 66

Tenth Abbot – Abbot Benedict Neenan, OSB Served: 2016-2026 Years as Abbot: 10 Age when elected: 67 Age when service ended: 77

From its founding to the present day, Conception Abbey has been guided by faithful Benedictine leadership. As the monks prepare to elect the eleventh abbot, they continue a tradition that has sustained the community for more than 150 years, entrusting its future to the next generation of leadership.

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