Expansion of Monastery (1880-1909). As was the custom of Benedictine houses in the Old World, the sisters, from their beginnings in America, tried to be self-supporting. They maintained a farm, gardens, orchard, vineyard, chickens, turkeys, and bees. The laundry was an important service, not only for the sisters, orphans, and academy, but also for the monks of St. John's Abbey for whom the sisters did the washing and sewing. The first water works, a wooden water tank built in 1892, was a great boon to sisters who worked in the laundry. In 1899 an underground sewer was dug. New developments were soon added to meet the needs of the growing population on St. Benedict's campus and to help supply the village of St. Joseph. These developments included the first power plant and electric light plant (1906), a 60,000 gallon water tower (1907), and a large well in 1909 (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives).
Sisters Albina and Pretrina Hoeft, who learned this craft as girls in Bavaria, are shown "scutching" the flax to get rid of the chaff that remained on the fine fiber inside the stem after pounding away the coarse straw.
After the removal of all the chaff from the fiber inside the straws of flax, the fiber was combed through nails on a board in order to divide the strips of fiber into single strands. This process was known as "hackling." The flax fiber was then passed through hot water so that it would break while being twisted in the final step of "hand spinning."
Schools in south-central Minnesota (1876-1909). In 1900, two sisters and a candidate opened a school in the German parish (Assumption) in Richfield (originally Bloomfield). In spite of the fact that two other parishes had been established in Richfield, the Assumption School could boast of an enrollment of 202 students and 6 sisters teaching in subsequent years. By 1909, the Benedictine sisters from St. Joseph, MN, had staffed 20 schools in the Twin Cities and south-central Minnesota -- mainly in the German communities but also in the Montgomery-New Prague area, a stronghold of Czechoslovakian culture and heritage. For most of these 20 schools, St. Benedict's Monastery archives has no early photographs (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives).
Schools in north-central Minnesota (1871-1909). When St. Paul's School first opened on February 17, 1897, the Benedictine sisters from St. Joseph began their 104-year teaching service there. The enrollment on that day was 49 pupils but by the end of that spring term, it increased to 85 pupils. By the size of Sister Catherine Siefner's class around 1904, it appears that the enrollment was well over 100 by then. Over the years, the school reached a peak enrollment of 534 pupils (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives).
Schools in south-central Minnesota (1876-1909); St. Benedict's Monastery (convent), St. Joseph, Minnesota. Known for its bee-keeping industry, St. Bonifacius became a typical small town German settlement with its own church and school. In 1885, sisters opened a school there which in time reached an enrollment of 180 (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives, Richard Olsenius, Minnesota Travel Companio, A Guide to the History Along Minnesota's Highways, page 154).
Construction of Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Benedict's Monastery, (December 9, 1912). The supports for the roof were inserted into the inner walls of the chapel. Of special note is the huge circular support for the dome on the left of the photograph.
Construction of Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Benedict's Monastery (June 10, 1912). Within a month of the laying of the foundation, the walls of the lower level of the chapel were raised. This view from the northeast shows some of the farm buildings at the left of the water tower that still needed to be razed or moved farther west.
Schools in north-central Minnesota (1871-1909). Father Francis Xavier Pierz, an early missionary and friend to the American Indians and the white settlers of the Northwest Territory, chose Rich Prairie (later named "Pierz" in his honor) as his place of retirement in the late 1860's. He had come to Minnesota in 1852 and established missions and parish communities throughout the Northwest Territory. With luring descriptions of the rich soil and a moderate climate he invited German Catholics living in eastern states to venture moving to this western frontier. A small church, which he built in Rich Prairie, is preserved on the Kapsner farm. Accustomed as he was to living in tents or camping out in his travels throughout the Territory, Father Pierz would describe his little dirt-floor log chapels as beautiful churches. By 1871, the small rural parish he founded in Pierz (Rich Prairie) was ready to welcome the Benedictine sisters as teachers in their log school house. This photo was likely given to the archives by one of the eight Kapsner family members of the Pierz area who joined the Benedictine community in St. Joseph (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives).
In 1904, St. Joseph's Home reached its full capacity of 80 residents. By subsequent additions its capacity was increased to 115. It was the sisters' first nursing home, especially attractive to older men because they could be involved with work on the farm and large gardens located on the premises. Later the sisters would own or manage and staff six nursing homes in Minnesota and two in North Dakota (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives, McDonald, pages 261-263).
Family Films, Inc. (Holy Angels Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota)
Date Created:
1952 - 1954
Description:
"Restore Holiness of Sunday" urges people to keep holy the Lord's Day. A panel including John Leisen, Barb Twomey and Joyce Latzka make a case for keeping the Lord's Day holy. "Restore Holiness of Sunday" is one of thirty-nine films in the "Christ in the Home" series created in the early 1950s by Family Films for a weekly television series for Channel 11 (WMIN-TV) in the Twin Cities. Each program is based on a feast day, special observance or noteworthy Sunday in the liturgical year. Family Films, Inc. was formed in 1952 and operated out of a studio in Holy Angels Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota. The production team includes Father Edward Ramacher, photography; Father Vincent Huebsch, sound; Father Gordon Mycue, program director; Arnie Pung, KFAN engineer; Dick and Don DeZurik, Cathedral High School students who help with tapes in the library; Sisters Marold Kornovich and Arlynn Haan, teachers at Saint Augustine School; Edmund Linnemann, organist.
First 50 years of the College of Saint Benedict (CSB). Hall&qOn the third floor, and the fourth, are located the private rooms of the students. Those on third floor open out into a beautiful rotunda; those on the fourth, into a balcony above the rotunda made pleasant and bright through the use of a very large and beautiful skylight. The rotunda is furnished with davenports, comfortable chairs, library tables and a piano. (The next bulletin included a radio and an orthophonic victrola.) The rotunda is the recreation room of the college students" (College Bulletin, 1926).
Family Films, Inc. (Holy Angels Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota)
Date Created:
1952 - 1954
Description:
"Saint Benedict" tells the life of Benedict, born in Italy in 480, who became a monk. The film recounts the legends of Cyrilla, Maurus and Placid using illustrations. It describes the symbols on the Benedictine medal and how it can be worn and used to assist in difficulties of daily life. "Saint Benedict" is one of thirty-nine films in the "Christ in the Home" series created in the early 1950s by Family Films for a weekly television series for Channel 11 (WMIN-TV) in the Twin Cities. Each program is based on a feast day, special observance or noteworthy Sunday in the liturgical year. Family Films, Inc. was formed in 1952 and operated out of a studio in Holy Angels Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota. The production team includes Father Edward Ramacher, photography; Father Vincent Huebsch, sound; Father Gordon Mycue, program director; Arnie Pung, KFAN engineer; Dick and Don DeZurik, Cathedral High School students who help with tapes in the library; Sisters Marold Kornovich and Arlynn Haan, teachers at Saint Augustine School; Edmund Linnemann, organist.
Family Films, Inc. (Holy Angels Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota)
Date Created:
1952 - 1954
Description:
Conversation between mother and son reflect incorrect past attitudes towards other cultures. [Note: the attitudes and opinions expressed in this film reflect a certain time period in American history. They do not represent the current values of St. Benedict's Monastery]. The film then depicts the life of Saint Isaac Jogues who ministered to Native Americans as dramatized by Barb Twomey, Ron Altmann, Bill Studer, John Leisen, Katy Wenner and Judy Hennes. "Saint Isaac Jogues" is one of thirty-nine films in the "Christ in the Home" series created in the early 1950s by Family Films for a weekly television series for Channel 11 (WMIN-TV) in the Twin Cities. Each program is based on a feast day, special observance or noteworthy Sunday in the liturgical year. Family Films, Inc. was formed in 1952 and operated out of a studio in Holy Angels Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota. The production team includes Father Edward Ramacher, photography; Father Vincent Huebsch, sound; Father Gordon Mycue, program director; Arnie Pung, KFAN engineer; Dick and Don DeZurik, Cathedral High School students who help with tapes in the library; Sisters Marold Kornovich and Arlynn Haan, teachers at Saint Augustine School; Edmund Linnemann, organist.
Family Films, Inc. (Holy Angels Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota)
Date Created:
1952 - 1954
Description:
"Saint Scholastica" recounts the story of Saint Benedict's visit to his sister, Saint Scholastica in Italy in the early 500s. It explains how the Rule of Benedict can be applied to daily life. "Saint Scholastica" is one of thirty-nine films in the "Christ in the Home" series created in the early 1950s by Family Films for a weekly television series for Channel 11 (WMIN-TV) in the Twin Cities. Each program is based on a feast day, special observance or noteworthy Sunday in the liturgical year. Family Films, Inc. was formed in 1952 and operated out of a studio in Holy Angels Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota. The production team includes Father Edward Ramacher, photography; Father Vincent Huebsch, sound; Father Gordon Mycue, program director; Arnie Pung, KFAN engineer; Dick and Don DeZurik, Cathedral High School students who help with tapes in the library; Sisters Marold Kornovich and Arlynn Haan, teachers at Saint Augustine School; Edmund Linnemann, organist.
Expansion of Monastery (1880-1909). This sample pattern for needlework done by Sister Felicitas Knapp was one of the designs of roses, the motif used for an entire set of vestment known as the "rose vestments." Note the number-coding written on the pattern as a guide for the color of threads to be used. Sister Felicitas was an accomplished artist and well known for her 30 years of extra-curricular service of making and caring for the costumes used for plays given at the academy/college. Her realistic embroidery and rare gift for color combination was recognized by Harper Magazine, a publishing firm of New York City. She entered an embroidery contest sponsored by the Harper's Bazaar in 1910. There were 3,000 entries and she received the fourth prize. In 1900, she was appointed assistant to the directress of the needlework (vestment) department of St. Benedict's Convent. Her own sister, Sister Justina Knapp, was the directress and held that position for 45 years. The sisters had engaged in this art from their early beginning in Minnesota. Mother Willibalda Scherbauer, who as a young girl had received scholarships to attend the Royal Institute in Altötting, Bavaria, for eight years, brought this art to the New World. She taught the young members of the community to do fine embroidery and offered the first class in art needlework in their school in St. Cloud. When the sisters moved from St. Cloud to St. Joseph, Mother Willibalda appointed Sister Irmina Kretzer as the directress of the community's embroidery department. In 1895 Sister Justina Knapp was appointed the directress. It was Sister Justina's efforts and skill that provided energy and direction to the community's contribution to the art of needlework and the making of vestments. The department began in a small attic room in the first convent/school complex in St. Joseph, but in every new building or addition to the convent/academy, space was made available for this work. The department gradually evolved into the vestment department to which an entire floor of a new convent building (St. Walburg's) was dedicated. Many sets of hand-embroidered vestments, often embellished with gold thread, were purchased by parishes around the country. (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives).
Expansion of Monastery (1880-1909). The heart of a Benedictine monastery is the chapel. Because of the very small chapel within the first convent complex, the sisters attended religious services in the parish church during their early years in St. Joseph. To sustain a strong daily community liturgical life of prayer within the convent, a larger chapel was built in the Scholastica Hall addition in 1892 to accommodate the sisters (and often the students) as they gathered several times daily for community prayer and Eucharist. Within twenty years, the sisters were beginning plans for a large church, Sacred Heart Chapel, to witness to the centrality of worship, not only for St. Benedict's campus, but for the surrounding area of Stearns County. (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives).
Construction of Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Benedict's Monastery (April 14, 1913). The dome, the link between the chapel to the convent, and the south cloister walk connecting the chapel to Teresa Hall were constructed simultaneously. This photo is taken from the roof of Teresa Hall and gives a clear view of the circular cloister walk that surrounds the chapel.
Early ventures in St. Joseph, Minnesota (1880-1890). Group portrait of the Short Pants Baseball leage, with Bearpaw Wolfe as Captain (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives).
First 50 years of the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) The performances Sister Dominica Borgerding directed would cram this hall and the two adjoining classrooms with seculars paying for tickets three Sundays in a row - from as far as the Twin Cities, Duluth and Milwaukee. She did not offer "milk for babes." Instead she challenged the Dramatics Club and the audiences with the "Merchant of Venice" (with a brilliant Shylock and a magnificent Portia) and with biblical plays of a Queen Esther and a Judith of Bethulia. Women took men's parts and managed very convincingly. If Shakespeare could make-do with men to take women's parts, Sister Dominica turned her women into men for their parts. The costumes were magnificent. They are still among the richest and most beautiful now in that amazing collection in the Benedicts Arts Center.
First 50 years of the College of Saint Benedict (CSB). Sister Dominica Borgerding was appointed the directress of the academy in 1909. When the college was established in 1913, she served as directress for both the academy and the college until 1918. Hers was an ample, progressive, hearty soul. Weeping girls were swept to her bosom, given a huge apple, and made to feel that all was right with the world. She is best known for her amazing gift for dramatics (Gable, OSB).
Schools in north-central Minnesota (1871-1909). Moorhead developed into one of the larger cities of Minnesota because it was a natural terminus for most forms of transportation: the early routes of the Red River ox carts, a steamboat landing for the Hudson Bay Company, and connections to Duluth by railroad and highway. By 1882, Moorhead had 14 hotels and restaurants and the Catholic community had established its church and school. In 1879, St. Joseph's Parish in Moorhead opened a school for 50-60 pupils. This photograph of Sister Ethelburga Farrell's class and Father Augustine Brockmyer, pastor of St. Joseph's Parish, was taken in 1887. By 1892 a new school was built. The enrollment continued to increase so that, within the next 20 years, six sisters were teaching 200 students resulting in the building of another new school (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives; Olsenius, page 129).
