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St. Mary & St. Moses Abbey was purchased by the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States in March, 2005. Prior to the acquisition of this monastery, the Abbey, previously known as "Corpus Christi Abbey and Benedictine Retreat Center," was inhabited by an aging community of Benedictine monks. It had begun in 1927 as a school and faculty residence built on 40 acres of donated land, and in 1961 Pope John XXIII elevated its status to that of an abbey. H.H. Pope Shenouda III consecrated the altar of St. Mary & St. Moses Abbey's main church on August 20, 2005. His Holiness also appointed monks from St. Mary El-Sourian Monastery in the Wilderness of Scetis - Natroun Valley, Egypt, to establish the monastic life at St. Mary & St. Moses Abbey.
St. Mary and St. Moses Abbey is the second Coptic Orthodox monastery in the United States together with St. Antony Coptic Orthodox Monastery, located in Newberry Springs, Calif.
St. Mary & St. Moses Abbey is situated on 92 acres of lakeshore property in Corpus Christi, Texas. The facilities include a U-shaped main building with:
• eight cells for monks,
• two chapels,
• library,
• computer center,
• nursing station,
• kitchen,
• dining hall,
• meeting hall, and
• some other annexes.
The main church, St. Mary, is currently under construction according to the Coptic style. The three chapels are: St. Moses and St. Anthony—both located in the U-shape building, and St. John Kama—located on the lake.
The retreat facility has a capacity of 150 persons with sleeping rooms, lecture hall, kitchen, dining hall, and other related wings. There is also a bookstore for books and religious items, a carpentry workshop, smithy and a garage.
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