The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1895-02-16
ALMOST FORTY YEARS AGO

ALMOST FORTY YEARS AGO
The First Mass Was Celebrated In the
Now Bright City OF Anoka
A brief review OF the history OF st,
Stephens church, Anoka, will be OF gen.
eral interest, says writer in the Church
Record. The history Of this church has
been history of good, teaching the
principles of temperance, honesty and
loyal citizenship. No other church or
vanization has done more for the general
prosperity of this community than has
our Catholic society. St.. Stephens
church edifice stands out ia bold relief,
8 handsome monument Of rare material
advancement, manitesting the noble zeal
and living faith Of those who worship
beneath it's sacred roof. tt is styled
"Anoka'e PRIDE" because it is one Of the
most elegant hnildn in our city.
Father Earth celebrated the first mass
at the residence Of Peter Donnelly. All
gust Is, 1856. He was the first priest in
charge OF this mission, and by his ardent
zeal and untiring efforts, in the face ct
the many difficulties which beset bis
path during these days of early pioneer
life, slowed the mustard seed that has
since become large tree.
At this early period there was only a
HANDFUL of Catholics ia the little village
OF Anoka, and the faithful priest felt
many Encouragement in his endeavor
to form q parish from their numbers.
Trusting in the aid Of Divine Providence
he continued TO celebrate mass at stated
intervals during the next two years, and
for many years afterwards it was q mis-
sion field, visited ut times by neighboripg
priests. From 1858 to 1878 it was in
charge of Father GEMS, a pious and
faithful priest of the early days. Father
McDermott also, at stated intervals, Wis.,
tied this mission field of future hope.
Father McDermott read in it's prospect
i've brightness, signs of future prosperity,
and he finally located at Anoka and be-
came its first resident priest.
In 1875 the Catholics purchased Of the
Congregational socisty, their old church,
and from that time St. Stephens church
has increased and prospered as has none
Of the other denominations.
r,kLor MoDorro@kf ,uoa NV
Father Cauley, and bis successors were
Fathers Bruton, William McGolrick,
Connolly, Hayes, Brennan, Russell, and
the present pastor, Rev. Z. r. Duane.
All these priests labored we'll and zeal
ously to uphold the faith and secure the
prosperity Of st Stephens church.
Though they did not all meet with equal
success, each, at sundry times and in d.
vers manners, aided in building up the
prosperity which the parish now enjoys.
Special mention should be made OF
Father Brennan, under whose euperyi-
sion the new church has been built.
Father Brennan came to Anoka in Sep
tember, 1888, and proved faithful pas
tor of his church and an exemplary citi-
zen. After taking charge of the congre-
CATION, he decided that better and
larger church was actually necessary,
and like careful business man he began
to consider ways and means to meet the
urgent needs of his people. Having at
heart the interests of the people, he did
not rush in precipitately and build the
church, but he went at the work earn
estly aud carefully, consulting the wishes
of the members of his flock. A start
was made and the Catholic portion OF
our community responded literally.
Little by little the funds wers collected,
and at length sutfi Gent amount was
raised to guarantee the success OF the
enterprise, aud Father Brennan had
plans prepared for thu handsome edifice
that is credit to our city. It >is by far
the finest church eitfics in Anoka aud
has cost about $4,000.
The church occupies the site OF the
old church, and il 12sx50, with wing for
the sacristy 32x24 The body of the
church is 1o0x50, containing four rows
OF pews OF twenty-five each, or one hun
dred with all, with seating capacity
that will accom- nodate about 600 perons.
The gallery is 20x50 feet and will accom-
modate over one hundred persons, giving
the church q seating capacity of 700.
The church will permit OF the placing of
more pews in the rear whenever che
needs of the congregation might require
it. The interior is lighted by sixteen
large stained glass windows besides many
smaller ones The walls of the building
are twenty feet, and the ceiling is as
high as the roof will permit, thus making
the audience room both spacious
and beautiful the church is built Of
cream colored brick with Lake Superior
red stone trimmings, and the design is a