Benedictine monks came from Saint Vincent Arch abbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 1857, to take over the care of the German immigrants who made up the community of Saint Mary's parish. Over the years, the monastic community grew, and in 1884, Saint Mary's Priory was raised to abbatial status. During the early years, in addition to opening Saint Benedict's College, the monks founded many parishes in northern New Jersey. In the 1920s, the Luther Kountz estate, Delbarton, was purchased, and a dependent priory was established there, as well as a boarding school for boys. In 1956, the title of Abbey was transferred to the Morristown foundation, and Newark again become known as Saint Mary's Priory. In 1968, the Newark community was again raised to abbatial status and adopted the name "Newark Abbey," while remaining under the patronage of the Virgin Mary.

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