Rev. Maynard George Nagengast, O.S.B.

Reverend Maynard George Nagengast, O.S.B., passed away peacefully on May 25, 2024, at Newark Abbey. Born on August 27, 1934 in Bayonne, New Jersey to George and Cecelia Honegger Nagengast, he graduated from St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City. He professed his first vows as a Benedictine monk in July 1956.

He graduated from St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, and later did graduate work in art education at New York University. After his theological studies at St. Mary’s Abbey in Morristown, he was ordained a priest in 1962 and moved to the monastery in Newark in 1962 where he would teach art at Saint Benedict’s Prep for the next 50 years. He was beloved by his students and inspired several of them over the years to become architects. He also served on weekends at St. Mark’s parish in Sea Girt, New Jersey.

Father Maynard was a gifted artist in painting, drawing, and sculpture, and many of his works of liturgical art decorate churches in northern New Jersey, including the chapel of the Benedictine Sisters of Saint Walburga Priory in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

His body will be received at Newark Abbey St. Mary’s Church, 528 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Newark on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Visitation will continue until 9:00 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the gymnasium on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 9:00AM. Fr. Maynard will be buried in the monastery plot at St. Mary’s Cemetery in East Orange.