Church of St. Bridget facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Church of St. Bridget-Catholic
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The Church of St. Bridget from the southeast
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 501 3rd Street South, De Graff, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1901 |
| Built by | E.C. Richmond |
| Architect | Edward J. Donahue |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001768 |
| Designated | August 15, 1985 |
The Church of St. Bridget is a beautiful Roman Catholic church located in De Graff, Minnesota. It's a special place with a rich history. The church parish started in 1876. It was the very first church created as part of a big plan by Archbishop John Ireland. He wanted to help Catholic families settle in western Minnesota.
The church building you see today was finished in 1901. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This means it's an important historical site. It's recognized for its amazing architecture, its role in the town's growth, and its religious history. The church is also special because it was designed by Edward J. Donahue. He was a famous architect from Saint Paul.
What the Church Looks Like
The Church of St. Bridget is quite large. It is about 115 feet (35 meters) long and 50 feet (15 meters) wide. It has a tall bell tower that is about three and a half stories high.
The bottom part of the church, called the foundation, is made from strong granite. This granite came all the way from St. Cloud. The main walls are built with red bricks. These bricks are decorated with a special kind of stone called Kasota limestone.
Inside the church, you can see the wooden beams that support the roof. The altar, where services are held, is made of oak. It has a fancy design called Gothic Revival. You can also see large paintings on the walls. These paintings show the important story of the Stations of the Cross.
A Look at the Church's History
In the late 1800s, Archbishop John Ireland had a big idea. He wanted to help many Irish Catholic families move to and settle in western Minnesota. This included areas like Swift County and nearby places.
De Graff was one of the towns that Archbishop Ireland helped to create. Other towns he supported included Graceville, Clontarf, and Minneota.
The current Church of St. Bridget was designed in 1901. The architect was Edward J. Donohue from Saint Paul. He also designed other Catholic churches. The church building was constructed by E.C. Richmond. He was a builder from Melrose.
See also
- List of Catholic churches in the United States
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Swift County, Minnesota
