Lecture on Marcel Breuer Set at Saint John's

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - Architect and author Robert F. Gatje will deliver a public lecture, "Remembering Marcel Breuer," at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in Stephen B. Humphrey Auditorium at Saint John's University in Collegeville. Gatje is the author of "Marcel Breuer: a Memoir," published in 2000, and his lecture is based on his 23-year association with the acclaimed architect.

The lecture is part of a series of events sponsored by Saint John's Abbey and Saint John's University, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Breuer's birth. Breuer, who died in 1981, designed the Saint John's Abbey and University Church, which has been hailed for its innovative design. As a teacher and architect, he has influenced generations. In addition to the church, his best known works include the UNESCO building in Paris and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.

Additional Breuer centenary events include the following:

A lecture by John Wesley Cook: "Art, Architecture and Sacred Space," April 24, 2002. Cook is president of The Henry Luce Foundation. Prior to that, he was the director of the Religion and Arts Program at Yale.

Breuer Centennial Exhibit opens May 22, 2002. This exhibit, at Saint John's Art Gallery, will feature Breuer's photos, models, drawings and furniture.

A Breuer Architectural Symposium, June 20-23, 2002, planned in cooperation with the Minnesota chapter and American Institute of Architects, will include the posthumous presentation of the Colman J. Barry Award for Distinguished Contributions to Religion and Society to Marcel Breuer. The annual award honors Rev. Colman Barry OSB, the eighth president of Saint John's University.

Founded in 1857, Saint John's Abbey is a Benedictine monastic community of men who follow the 1,500-year tradition of worship and work through daily prayer and service. The Rule of Saint of Benedict places a strong emphasis on community living and hospitality under an abbot, with common prayer at the heart of the day. Benedictines share a respect for others, and for the land, and strive to practice listening as an art form.

Also founded in 1857, Saint John's University is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the Midwest and is one of only five remaining men's colleges in the United States. It comprises a Catholic liberal arts college for men, a graduate school of theology for men and women, and a seminary for priesthood candidates. Saint John's shares with its partner institution, the nearby College of Saint Benedict for women, a common undergraduate curriculum and academic calendar. The two schools have a combined undergraduate enrollment of approximately 3,800. Together, they challenge their students to lead balanced lives of learning, work, leadership and service in a changing world.