This series documents the establishment, governance, daily life, and eventual suppression of St. Peter Martyr Priory in Winona, Minnesota, from its founding in 1949 through its closure in 1969 and the subsequent sale of its property. The materials provide a detailed account of the priory’s canonical and civil foundation and documentation of the priory’s dedication in October 1949. Administrative files include minutes of the corporation, correspondence with the Bishop of Winona, financial records, tax documents, and materials related to the elections and service of priors and other offices.

The series also contains extensive documentation on the construction of the priory. These materials include contracts with architects and contractors, building records, blueprints for the chapel and other structures, and files relating to furniture, equipment, and artwork. Novitiate life is seen through pictures of vestition, profession, formation activities, and community life. Additional materials cover the priory’s media presence and local publicity, as well as interactions with external organizations, including the Society of St. Pius X.

Following the suppression of the priory, the series includes files pertaining to the management and sale of the property, real estate negotiations, correspondence concerning the site’s later use, and documents relating to the cemetery and crypt. Special artifacts such as ceremonial trowels used at the cornerstone laying, a vial of soil, oversized blueprints, and two large scrapbooks complement the textual records. Together, these materials offer a view of the priory’s institutional history, administrative operations, physical development, and legacy.