| Sacred
Heart Catholic Church
Baudette,
Minnesota
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Written
by Joan Heinrich (parish secretary since 1994)
January 2011
The
first Catholic settler, James Williams, arrived in Baudette in 1894.
Early home Masses were celebrated by Fr. St. Armant who was in charge
of a two hundred mile territory along the Rainy River from 1846
to 1907. The parish marks its founding as 1908, the year of the
first recorded baptism. In 1909 Fr. August Beyne (1908-1911), whose
mission headquarters was in Warroad, purchased an old school house
for the first Baudette Catholic Church. This building burned in
the 1910 fire which also devastated a large part of county. Under
the guidance of Fr. Raoul Dumolin (1912-1913), a new church was
dedicated by Bishop Corbett on October 27, 1912, at what is now
the southwest corner of 1st Ave NW and 2nd St NW in the city. An
initial $500 loan was provided by the Extension Society. While Fr.
Ernest Bossus was pastor (1913-1926) there were missions at Williams,
Roosevelt, Warroad, Falun, Badger, Greenbush, Juneberry, Carp and
Baudette. He would travel by railroad hand car to Baudette monthly
to say Mass. Parishioners would also attend Mass in Rainy River,
Ontario
In 1914 a choir loft and steeple were built by J. Morrissette, who
was struck and killed by lightning while working on the steeple.
There were twenty-three Catholic families in 1918. The number fluctuated
with the rise and fall of sawmill industry in town. In 1923, after
the floor caved in, the church was raised three feet and a cement
basement was built. Fr. William Swanson (1937-1946) began planning
for a new church by purchasing lots on Main Ave South, but thoughts
of construction would have to wait until after WWII when families,
who had left to find jobs during the war, returned. Fr. George Clemens
(1952-1959) began the building project soon after his arrival, and
on January 13, 1954, the new brick church and rectory were dedicated
by Bishop Francis Schenk. The mortgage burning was celebrated 25
years later by Fr. Raymond Palcisko (1971-1977).
Seven Sisters of St. Joseph from Crookston came to Baudette in 1950
to staff the new Baudette Community Hospital. Sr. Jeanne Constance
was the first administrator. In 1957 the sisters purchased the hospital,
expanded, renovated and renamed it Trinity Hospital. They continued
to operate the hospital until 1985 when it was sold to the Franciscan
Sisters Health Care, Inc. of Little Falls. Over the years, there
have been thirty-three Sisters of St. Joseph who have served in
Baudette. Sr. Rose Mary Toenyan, CSJ was the last religious to leave
the area when she retired in April 2007.
The second hand pipe organ, still in use today, was purchased in
1963 by Fr. Donald Archer (1963-1971). Fr. Larry Wieseler, who would
later serve as pastor (2001-2004), was ordained in Baudette May
31, 1969. Fr. Wieseler’s family moved to the area from Nebraska
in 1953. The Air Force began construction on the 692d Radar Squadron
base in 1959 and the parish served many military families over twenty
years. Fr. Joseph Menker OMI (1977-1978), the first of six Oblates
of Mary Immaculate priests, served as an auxiliary Chaplin until
its closing July 1, 1979.
In 1983 a new front entrance with large glass windows was constructed
with help from Fr. Larry Antus OMI (1980-1985). Lake of the Woods
Food Shelf, founded in 1984 by Rose Vidas, was located in the church
basement until December 2008. Fr. Cyril Foppe OMI (1987-1997) kept
very busy! He relocated the organ from the choir loft, installed
an electronic bell system, carpeting in basement and church proper,
handicap lift, first computer, folding doors for classrooms, storage
lofts, and an updated heating system. The sanctuary was redesigned
including new altar, ambo and church lighting. He entertained us
with guitar music including his original “Ballard of a North
Country Pastor” and his pet mongoose.
The church no longer had a resident priest after the last of the
Oblates, Fr. Frank Ryan, OMI (1997-2000) retired. Deacon Jim Lukenbill
moved into the rectory and began ministry in Baudette and Williams
parishes while the pastor resided in Warroad. At present there are
160 households including seasonal residents. Tourists fishing Lake
of the Woods often attend Mass. Fr. Don Braukmann (2004-present)
holds regular Emmaus and Adoration evenings to encourage spiritual
growth.
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