St. Joseph's Church (Pierz, Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Joseph's Church--Catholic
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St. Joseph's Church from the west
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main St., Pierz, Minnesota |
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| Area | 3.3 acres (1.3 ha) |
| Built | 1886–88 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001998 |
| Added to NRHP | September 5, 1985 |
St. Joseph's Church is a really old and important church located on Main Street in Pierz, Minnesota, USA. It was built a long time ago, between 1886 and 1888. This church is so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This means it's officially recognized for its historical value!
Contents
Discovering St. Joseph's Church History
Early Beginnings in Rich Prairie
The story of St. Joseph's Church started way back in 1865. At that time, the area was called Rich Prairie. Reverend Francis Xavier Pierz began serving the people here. He worked with other important figures like Joseph F. Busch, Ignatius Tomazin, and James Trobec.
As more Catholic families moved into the area, they needed a place to worship. So, in the fall of 1869, the community built a simple church out of logs. This was the very first church building for the community.
Reverend Pierz and the Town's New Name
Reverend Pierz became the main pastor of the church in 1871. He stayed there until 1873. After that, he decided to retire and moved back to Slovenia. The town later changed its name to Pierz. This was done to honor Reverend Pierz and his important work.
Building the Current Church
Years later, in 1884, Reverend Paneratins Maebren became the new pastor. He was in charge when the community decided to build a bigger, more permanent church. The first stone for this new building was laid in 1886. This was a big step for the community.
The construction of the church took a couple of years. Finally, the new St. Joseph's Church was officially opened. This special event happened on December 25, 1888. It was a Christmas Day dedication, making it even more memorable for the people of Pierz.
