Fr. Gabriel Vonderstein (1875-1932)

Father Gabriel Vonderstein passed away March 7, 1932.

Father Gabriel was born in Eschweiler, ad Indam, Rheno-Borrusia and in early childhood came to the United States.  He was interested in the religious life and so entered St. Benedict’s College with the intention of becoming a monk.  He pronounced his simple vows July 11, 1898, and was ordained to the priesthood June 19, 1904. 

For six years he was assistant at St. Benedict’s Parish, Atchison, and then assistant at St. Benedict’s Parish, Kansas City, Kan., until 1914 when he went to Sts. Peter and Paul, Seneca, Kan.  He later was assistant at St. John’s, Burlington, Iowa.  Ill health forced him into retirement but when high school was moved to the former Midland College campus in southern Atchison, and named Maur Hill, he became a member of the faculty.  His field was art, oil painting in particular, and landscape work and gardening.  He served at Maur Hill for 12 years and was teaching until four hours before his death. 

Father Gabriel was one of the first four monks assigned to Maur Hill and he went there as a part of the Vonderstein, Enslein, Scheier, Bayer Quartet!