The Story
The Story of Jesus Abbey
In 1965, a man went up the mountain. Sixty years later, the bell still rings on that mountain.
The Calling
1957–1964
He came to Korea in 1957 and served as dean of St. Michael's Seminary (now Sungkonghoe University).
In 1964, he laid everything down and chose a remote mountain village.
"When God calls, you simply go."
The Wilderness
1965–1970
The first winter in a Gangwon mountain village.
Two cows sent by a church in Seattle.
In a place with nothing, they prayed, worked the land, and lived together.
The beginning of The Watershed Grange.
Community
1970–1990
A community built through prayer and labor.
A chapel built by carrying stones one by one.
Rules of silence and sharing were established,
and the rhythm of the day took shape.
Legacy
1990–2013
Father Torrey's final lectures.
Thousands of tapes recorded over 50 years.
Jane Torrey's prayer —
"What we pass to the next generation is not knowledge, but rhythm."
The Continuing Story
2023–Present
A new beginning at Samsureong MooMoo Grange.
Today with A2 Jersey cows.
Some things change, and some things remain.
More has remained unchanged.
A Story Still Being Written
The story of Jesus Abbey has not ended. Daily life of the community, the four seasons of the ranch, and stories of encountering God continue on our blog.
Jesus Abbey Blog →The People
The stories of Father Archer Torrey, Jane Torrey, and the people who built and sustained this community.