Arthur Kreinheder

FatherArthur Carl Kreinheder,C.S.C. (October 1, 1905 – October 13, 1989) was an AmericanLutheranBenedictinemonk and founder of a Lutheran religious order, The Congregation of the Servants of Christ.

Biography

Kreinheder was born inSaint Paul, Minnesota.His father, Oscar Carl Kreinheder (1877-1946), was a pastor of theLutheran Church–Missouri Synodand the president ofValparaiso Universityfrom 1930 to 1939.

After a successful career as a businessman, Arthur Carl Kreinheder went 1950 to study theology atLund Universityin Sweden, living inSt. Laurence Foundation.Already before he had been in touch withTaizé Communityin formation. Briefly, in 1955, he became a novice in the Taize Community.

Kreinheder was ordained to the priesthood in 1956 inLundby BishopAnders Nygrenand BishopGustaf Aulen"for ecumenical work in the United States among Lutherans."

"The Congregation of the Servants of Christ", a Lutheran Benedictine community, was established at St. Augustine's House in 1958 when some other men joined Father Arthur in observing the monastic life and offices of prayer. Through father Arthur there was right in the beginning a connection withÖstanbäck Monasteryin Sweden after its foundation.

Father Arthur was involved inChristian ecumenismand he was the U.S. secretary of theLeague for Evangelical-Catholic Reunion.

At the age of 84 Father Arthur Carl Kreinheder died (on Friday, October 13, 1989) in a Pontiac, Michigan, hospital. He had never recovered fully form a stroke suffered in the preceding July. He is buried in the cemetery at St. Augustine's House.

References

• Don Ranly: "Vigil for Unity, The Story of Fr. Arthur Kreinheder, C.S.C., Lutheran Monk," Pio Decimo Press, St. Louis, MO, 1964.

Saint Augustine's Househttp:// staugustineshouse.org/

External links

• The Lonely Lutheran Monk.Time, Friday, Mar. 01, 1963
• Viewpoint of a Friend. A Brief History of Saint Augustine's Houseby George Weckman