By Meredith Stanton Vaselaar
“Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.” – Sonia Riccotti
The above quote accompanied a photo of the interior of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, posted on the St. Catherine Catholic Church Luverne Facebook page on Sunday, October 7, 2018. The quote is particularly appropriate as a steadfast congregation closed its doors for the last time.
The first recorded time that Mass was said in Ellsworth, Minnesota, was in 1884, when Father Christian J. Knauf traveled to Ellsworth to say Mass and distribute communion to the Catholics in that area. By 1885, the faithful had raised $5,000 with which to build a church, and on November 7 of that year, St. Mary’s was organized and incorporated. At the time, there were 40 members of the congregation. The first Mass was celebrated on Christmas Day, 1885, despite the fact that the building was not yet complete (making for a very chilly celebration). 80 people were in attendance at the first Mass.
Many of the earliest members of the parish had come to answer the call given by Archbishop John Ireland, who encouraged Catholics from the east coast, as well as Ireland, to take part in his Irish Catholic Colonization Organization. Irish Catholics from the Boston area, as well as German Catholics from Scott County, Minnesota (the first I.C.C.O. community) came to southwest Minnesota in hopes of a good life as farmers on the prairie. At first, St. Mary’s was a mission of nearby St. Adrian parish, with Fr. Knauf serving as the parish priest. The first resident priest was Fr. Francis Hartlieb.
By its 40th Anniversary in 1925, St. Mary’s had its peak membership of more than 400 people. During that time it established a parochial school (in 1900), built a school building in 1906, and completed it in 1907 at a cost of $18,000. More than 250 students received a diploma from St. Mary’s High School before it closed in 1952; with another 200 studying in the upper grades. In 1966, the grade school closed.
During all that time, the congregation of faithful followers was devoted to their God and their church. Generations of children, from those of the settlers, to the great-grandchildren and beyond, began their sacramental journey at St. Mary’s parish. Many grew up and stayed in the area, taking their own children and grandchildren to Mass at St. Mary’s. St. Mary’s had five of its sons become priests, and twenty-five of its daughters become nuns.
Over the years, in Ellsworth as well as other towns, not just in Nobles county, but all over the country, saw smaller congregations. That, coupled with a shortage of Catholic Priests, led to parishes begin to share a priest. By 1984, St. Mary’s was again a mission of St. Adrian. A number of years later there was more restructuring, and St. Catherine’s in Luverne, and St. Mary’s, became sister parishes, sharing a priest who lived in the rectory in Luverne. Three years ago, a reclustering was begun, with more parishes consolidating with others. As part of that, St. Mary’s was set to close. St. Mary’s Pastoral Council had a difficult decision to make: become an oratory (opening the church only for special events), tear down the structure, or sell the building. After careful reflection, the council decided to give the building to Pastor Bill Ostermeier, Jasper Community Church, upon the agreement that he would pay the fee for the title transfer. Ostermeier’s plan is to re-open the structure in an inter-denominational capacity for worship.
On Sunday, October 7, 2018, St. Mary’s church in Ellsworth was overflowing with people at its final Mass. Bishop John Quinn of the Winona Diocese presided over the solemn Mass, which included the Sacrament of Confirmation for three young men of the parish: Kade Boltjes, Sean Boltjes and Noah Wessels. Fr. Tom Jennings of Luverne, and Fr. James Seitz, an Ellsworth native now of Rochester, were Concelebrants; Deacon Vern Behrens of Worthington also participated.
The church was packed with current parishioners, as well as St. Mary’s alumni, many community members from other churches. Bishop Quinn awarded three Bishop Medals, given to people or organizations that have given great Service to the Church and practice of the faith. Recipients of the Bishop Medals were the Ellsworth Council for Catholic Women (CCW) and the Ellsworth Council of the Knights of Columbus (KC), two organizations that work tirelessly to lend help in the community where it is needed and further the faith; the third Bishop Medal was awarded to Dick and Rita Smook, for their Ministry of Care and their dedication to parishioners of both St. Mary’s and St. Catherine’s.
There were special moments on Sunday, as well as bittersweet, such as hearing the bell being rung once last time. Cathy Lewis, a lifelong parishioner, shared the history of the parish, which she spent many hours researching and preserving for future generations. Fr. Seitz spoke about coming to St. Mary’s as a child. Fr. Tom Jennings spoke of his retirement. A luncheon followed Mass.
Around 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, parishioners congregated at the church once again, to begin the process of removal of church relics and the procession of the Eucharist from St. Mary’s to St. Catherine’s At 5:00, Fr. Tom held a brief Liturgy of the Word and removed the Eucharist from the tabernacle which marked the church officially closing at 5:15 p.m.
The procession left the City of Ellsworth, with approximately 45 cars following the vehicle carrying the Eucharist. Those not on the procession stood on the street and in their driveways to wave at the passing cars. The procession made its way to the city park in Luverne. At that point, the procession was halted, and the members of the Cross Country teams of both Ellsworth and Luverne, joined by youngsters on foot and on bicycles, led the procession on the final leg of it’s journey to St. Catherine’s church.
It was a very emotional moment when the parishioners of St. Mary’s were warmly welcomed by the people at St. Catherine’s. The Eucharist was brought in, as well as the relics. One by one, the fourteen Stations of the Cross were carried into the church. Fr. Jennings gave a Benediction, and the ceremony ended with a song.
The parishioners, community members, friends and acquaintances then acknowledged the fifteen years that Fr. Tom Jennings had served the parishes. Those in attendance presented Fr. Jennings with a monetary gift of $25,000 – in hopes that he will use it toward the purchase of a new vehicle. Afterward, St. Catherine’s provided fellowship for all in attendance.
For 133 years, St. Mary’s parish had been a vibrant, important part of the Ellsworth community and surrounding area. It provided faithful guidance in the ways of the spirit and while its closure is difficult, the beauty and solemnity of its final day was a tribute to all the people that had worshipped and served in faith in God.
Renae (Ranschau) Pick put into words what so many felt on Sunday: “(St. Mary’s) was not just church to us. It was home. It was family. It was school. It was worship and song. It was our safe place where generations mingled as friends. It was where we learned to serve others.”
** I would like to give a special “thank you” to Renae Pick and Macie Wessels for sharing pictures and providing information for this story, which could not have been written without their contributions.
The historical information was gathered from multiple sources, including the Nobles County Historical Society; as well as the following books: “An Illustrated History of Nobles County;” “Ellsworth Centennial 1884-1984;” and “Diocese of Winona.”
