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Church of Saint Mary's (New Trier, Minnesota) facts for kids

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Church of St Mary's--Catholic
Trier-StMarys.jpg
The Church of Saint Mary's from the south-southwest
Church of Saint Mary's (New Trier, Minnesota) is located in Minnesota
Church of Saint Mary's (New Trier, Minnesota)
Location in Minnesota
Church of Saint Mary's (New Trier, Minnesota) is located in the United States
Church of Saint Mary's (New Trier, Minnesota)
Location in the United States
Location New Trier, Minnesota
Area 3.7 acres (1.5 ha)
Architect Ries, George J.
Architectural style Beaux-Arts
NRHP reference No. 79001233
Added to NRHP December 31, 1979

The Church of Saint Mary's is a beautiful old Catholic church located in New Trier, Minnesota. It was built in 1909 and stands high on a hill, making it easy to spot from far away. This bright red building has a special architectural style called Beaux-Arts. The town of New Trier was settled by German immigrants who came to the United States starting in 1854. They built their first church, a log cabin, in 1857. Later, in 1864, they built a bigger stone church on the same hill.

A New Church for a Growing Community

By 1909, the community in New Trier had grown. The people decided they needed an even larger church. They hired George J. Ries from St. Paul, Minnesota, to design the new building. Ries was a well-known architect who also designed the Church of St. Agnes.

Beaux-Arts Style and Special Features

George J. Ries designed the Church of Saint Mary's in the Beaux-Arts style. This style is known for being grand and classical, often using ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings. The church is made of red brick, which helps it stand out on the hilltop. You can see it from miles around!

Inside the church, there are some interesting historical pieces. A special stone, called a cornerstone, from the old church is placed in the entrance area. Above the main entrance, there is a five-foot tall statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This statue is very old, dating back to 1862.

Why This Church is Important

The Church of Saint Mary's is important because of its connection to the German immigrants who settled in this area. These immigrants made up almost all the people living in southeastern Dakota County, Minnesota during the second half of the 19th century. The church shows their strong faith and how they built their community.

In 1979, the Church of Saint Mary's was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to history. Being on this list helps protect the church and recognize its historical value.

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