Gregory Gerrer

Houstin Payne, portrait of Rev. Gregory Gerrer, 1938. Courtesy Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art.

Inducted: 1931

Hometown: Shawnee

Patron of the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art

Born in eastern France in 1867, Fr. Gregory Gerrer moved to the United States with his family shortly after his birth and would not return to Europe until he started his art education. Later, Gerrer heard a calling to join the Catholic monastic order of St. Benedict. Though he initially worked as a baker, Gerrer's artistic ability was noticed and afforded him the opportunity to study art in Rome. This paved the way for his career as an artist and a collector. 

Fr. Gregory R. Gerrer in 1900 around time of Ordination. Courtesy Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art.

The crowning achievement of Gerrer's career occurred in 1904 when he was selected by Pope Pius X to paint his official portrait, which Gerrer later displayed at the St. Louis World's Fair. Today, the portrait of Pope St. Pius X and several other works painted by the Oklahoma artist are on display in Shawnee at the museum he founded, the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art.

Fr. Gerrer painting in Amecameca, Mexico, 1936. Courtesy Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art.

Gerrer traveled extensively while pursuing his education in Europe. He visited places like Paris and the Middle East as part of his Benedictine duties, collecting numerous art works and artifacts building a collection of over 6,000 objects which became the founding collection for the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art.

Fr. Gregory R. Gerrer at work in his art studio that doubled as a small museum, c. 1920s. Courtesy Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art.

© 2020 Oklahoma Hall of Fame
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