Church of St. John the Baptist (Virginia, Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Church of St. John the Baptist (Catholic)
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The Church of St. John the Baptist from the southwest
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 309 S. 3rd Avenue, Virginia, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1924 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 80004362 |
| Added to NRHP | August 27, 1980 |
The Church of St. John the Baptist was an important old church in Virginia, Minnesota, USA. It was built in 1924 by a group of Polish American Catholics. This church was a special place for the Polish community in Virginia. It was a center for their religious life and social gatherings.
In 1980, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to history. The Church of St. John the Baptist was recognized for its role in the local community. It was especially important for the Polish Americans living in Virginia.
The church's congregation moved to a new building in the 1970s. This new church was called Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The old Church of St. John was not used much after that. In December 2018, the building was taken down. This made space for a playground and more parking for the school next door.
What the Church Looked Like
The Church of St. John the Baptist was made of red bricks. It had a style called Gothic Revival. This style often includes pointed arches and tall windows.
- The church had six arched windows on each side.
- There were also arched windows next to the main entrance.
- The tall tower above the main entrance had a special design. This design is known as Jacobean styling.
History of the Church
The Church of St. John the Baptist was built in 1924. It quickly became the heart of the Polish immigrant community in Virginia. It was a place for people to worship and to meet their friends and neighbors.
A special ceremony was held to make the church official. This ceremony was led by Paul Peter Rhode. He was the first Polish bishop in the United States. The church was also used by other Polish groups. One of these groups was the Polish National Alliance. This shows how important the church was to the Polish community.
Other Related Topics
- List of Catholic churches in the United States
- National Register of Historic Places listings in St. Louis County, Minnesota
