ORIGINS 

     The community of the “Jonesboro Benedictines” had its origins in the Convent of Maria Rickenbach in the Canton of Unterwalden, Switzerland.   After prayer and long deliberations, in response to requests for Sisters to teach in the mission fields of America, five Sisters were sent to make a foundation in 1874 near Conception, Missouri, in a little village named Maryville.  Additional Sisters followed the next year.

Maria Rickenbach Convent
 

    Meanwhile, Father Eugene Weibel, an early missionary in Arkansas, persuaded Bishop Edward Fitzgerald to support his efforts to obtain Sisters to teach in the parish school at Pocahontas. After repeated requests, Prior Frowin Conrad of Conception, Missouri, spiritual director for the Sisters, agreed to send four Sisters to Arkansas.   Mother Beatrice Renggli, the appointed superior and Sister Agnes Dali were two from the first group that came from Maria Rickenbach.  Sister Frances Metzler and Sister Walburga McFadden came to Missouri with a later group. These four were the first Sisters who came to Northeast Arkansas.