Fr. Gregory Neumayr (1866-1941)

Father Gregory Neumayr passed away July 18, 1941.

Father Gregory Neumayr was born in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, and entered St. Benedict’s Abbey in 1883.  He taught Latin, Greek, algebra and geometry as a cleric or Junior Monk.  After ordination in 1891 he served in parishes in Iowa and Kansas.  After another stint in the College where he again taught Latin, Greek and mathematics, and “helped to inaugurate biology courses in the school’s curriculum,” he again served in various parishes including Effingham and St. Mary’s, St. Benedict, Kan.

While he was at St. Mary’s a new rectory was built.  Above the porch was set the letters I.O.G.D. to stand for the Benedictine motto, “In all things may God be glorified,” in Latin, “In omnibus glorificetur Deus.”  Local wags interpreted the letters to mean, “I owe Gregory a dollar!”  

In 1935 Father Gregory returned to the abbey and did supply work in various parishes in Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska until six months before his death.  “He was a model of zeal for the Church… and respected by all who knew him.”  So states his obituary.

Father Gregory on the East Lawn of the Abbey Property.