The ground was broken for the current St. John’s Catholic Church on Sunday, January 26, 1960 after Father Ignatius Candrian blessed the new grounds. A year later C.O. Backlund & Sons had completed the new church and a cornerstone was laid. Taking part in the occasion was Father Fintan Bromenshenkel, Father Ignatius Candrian, Clyde Wishcop, Joseph Boser.
Members of St. John’s Catholic Church have been busily preparing for an amazing event—the celebration of four landmark events in the Cook County parish. Past and present members are invited to join St. John’s on Saturday, June 25, 2011 as it celebrates a 30th, 50th, a 75th and a 100th anniversary.
Father Seamus Walsh has researched and created a wonderful summary of the history of St. John’s. In his lovely Irish accent, he declares, “This year, 2011, is a particularly happy one for our parish of St. John’s!”
In 1911—100 years ago—the Catholics in Grand Marais initiated a plan to have their own church, distinct from St. Francis Xavier Church, which was becoming too small for the community’s growing Catholic population. The new congregation was looked after by the Benedictine priests at the Holy Family Church in Cloquet—130 miles away. St. John’s was considered a mission of the Holy Family parish in Cloquet.
Until 1936, that is. In 1936—75 years ago, St. John’s was raised from mission status to full parish status. “That meant St. John’s now stood on its own,” said Father Walsh. “No longer dependent on a priest from Cloquet, and now had its own fulltime pastor.”
In 1961—50 years ago, the beautiful building that now houses St. John’s Catholic Church at 10 East 5th Street was built.
In 1981—30 years ago, St. John established its first parish council. “That is the fourth reason for our joy,” Father Walsh declared.
Father Walsh added, “We can’t celebrate these anniversaries without acknowledging the huge importance of Holy Rosary Parish in Grand Portage in the history of St. John’s Parish.”
Walsh said Holy Rosary has been in existence for nearly 200 years and is the mother-church of St. John’s.
Since the Grand Marais church’s name was once the Church of St. John the Baptist, it was decided to hold the celebration of the four anniversaries as close as possible to the Feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24, so the celebration will be held on Saturday, June 25.
The celebration begins at 2:00 p.m., with music with Bump and Barbara Jean, activities for young and old alike, and lots and lots of sharing of memories, including photos in PowerPoint displays.
At 5:00 p.m., Bishop Paul Sirba will be the celebrant of the Saturday evening mass at St. John’s. Priests who have served St. John’s have been especially invited to concelebrate.
After the Mass, parishioners past and present are invited to a fine meal in Father Mark Hollenhorst Hall. “On the house,” said Father Walsh with his joyful smile.
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