This image shows the west front of St. Mary's Catholic Church in St. Peter. The church, also known as the Church of the Immaculate Conception, was located at 523 South Third Street from 1889 until 1992. This postcard negative, marked 469, has been converted to a digital positive image.
This photograph shows an interior view of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in St. Peter. The church, also known as St. Mary's Church, was located at 523 South Third Street from 1889 until 1992.
Schools in St. Cloud (1869-1909). By 1860, St. Cloud had expanded from its four homes in 1854 to 1,651 citizens. The 1856 church/school/convent was no longer adequate. In 1864, St. Mary's parishioners built a new church on the shores of Lake George. The large Gothic-style church served the parish for almost 60 years . When it was destroyed by fire, another church, the present St. Mary's Cathedral, was built. St. Mary's Parish eventually solved the school controversy by building its own parochial school. The first one in 1887 was a one-story frame building to accommodate 180 pupils. In 1896, a large parochial school, still in use today, was built next to St. Mary's Church (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives ; Witte, pages 10-11, 17; Dominik, John, J. pages 12-14, 20).
Early years in St. Cloud (1857-1863). The upper floor of St. Mary's Church and School was renovated in 1858 to serve as the second convent for the Benedictine sisters. St. Mary's was the first Catholic parish in St. Cloud. It was organized in 1855 by Father Francis Xavier Pierz, the missionary who had lured Catholic Germans to America (specifically to Minnesota) in the early 1850s with promises of farming and wood lands, rivers, opportunity, and freedom. The year before the Benedictine sisters arrived at St. Mary's Parish, the pastor had opened a private school in a room in Joseph Edlebrock's house. His intention was to complete the section of the complex meant for the school and to have the sisters take charge. However, the parishioners, fearful of losing government support and desirous of managing their church and school, did not accept that arrangement. The sisters then started their own convent school and continued the lessons they had given while at Tenvoorde's house for children of any interested settlers. Twenty children enrolled the first days after the sisters opened St. Mary's School. Among the girls were: Mary Edelbrock, Lizzie Rosenberger, Catherine Felders, and Mary Brown. Among the boys were: Anton, Barney, and Joseph Edelbrock, Henry Rosenberrger, John Niebler, Joseph Reichert, and Louis Emmel. Among those who took private music lessons were: Jennie and Mary Mitchell, Mary and Jennie Cramsie, Sophia and Cecilia Corbett, and Nettie Swisshelm. (McDonald page37) Jane Swisshelm, the editor of the local newspaper wrote: "There is a school kept by a company of Benedictine nuns where is taught, in addition to the common branches, German, drawing, music, and needlework. The subjects are taught by ladies of polished manners and unusual proficiency. The school is in much favor with our citizens and is in a flourishing condition." (ST CLOUD VISITER, May 20,, June 24, 1858). The reputation of the sisters spread. In 1862, two sisters were invited to the nearby parish of Clinton (St. Joseph) where they taught in the district school. The following year, St. Joseph became the site of the motherhouse of the Benedictine sisters in Minnesota. When St. Mary's Parish built a new school in 1876, the sisters (having returned to St. Cloud in 1869) purchased the former convent/school complex and converted it to St. Agnes Academy. The sisters were hoping to alleviate the overcrowded conditions of the boarding school and sisters' quarters in nearby St. Joseph, where the enrollment of day students alone had reached over 200. The sisters teaching at St. Agnes Academy were pioneers in making a distinction between primary and secondary education in the area. Because this academy never flourished as a boarding school in St. Cloud, the sisters closed it in 1880 and opened St. Joseph's Academy in St. Joseph (McDonald, pages 7-16, 22-23, 36-39, 70-71, 120-123; Patricia Kelly Witte, pages 14-17).
Exterior view of the St. Paul's German Catholic Church 1885 addition and rectory. The darkened portion of the roof indicates the original dedicated church of 1871.
Black and white albumen print showing the interior of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Belle Plaine. Seen are the apse, side alters, and a few pews. The main alter was carved by Hirshers of Shakopee and installed in the church in 1885. The building was torn down around 1905.
Black and white print showing the interior of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Belle Plaine. Seen are the main and side alters, a small balcony, several pews, banners, Stations of the Cross, and other decorations. Written on the backside of the image is "Decorated 1882/Inside of old Catholic Church Sts Peter and Paul/Belle Plaine, Mn."
Black and white albumen print of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Belle Plaine. The image shows the front exterior of the building with the church's congregation gathered there. Written on the backside side of the image is "The first St. Peter and Paul Church Built 1871. Belle Plaine, MN."
Black and white albumen print showing the main alter at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Belle Plaine. The alter is highly decorative, it is carved wood with arches, columns, finials, and other detail work. Seen within the alter are statues of Jesus with his exposed heart, Jesus on the cross flanked by Mary and Joseph praying, Mary and Joseph as Queen and King, kneeling figures, and a scene of the last supper. Written on the backside of the image is "Main alter St. Peter + Paul Church/Belle Plaine, Mn."