The Catholic bulletin., 1917-12-08
ST. JoSEPH's CHURCH.
Taken From Acta ct Dicta, by Rev. J.
n. Gauuhan,

n. Gaughan.
Rev, A. Ravoux was commissioned
by Bishop Loras of Dubuque in 1S41
to visit the Sioux in Minnesota. Ac-
cordingly Father RavouX entered upon
his heroic mission of converting the
Sioux of Lac qui Parle and Chaska.
He returned to the vicinity of Men
dota and st. Paul to relieve Father
Galtier, while the latter was making
a missionary tour among the scattered
Catholics along Lake Pepin and the
Chippewa river. Father Ravoux called
at Red Wing on April 5, 1S43, when
travelling afoot to Dubuque.
Right Rev. Joseph Cretin, D.. d.,
was the first bishop of st. Paul. Sew
eral priests were ordained by him to
administer to the faithful dispersed
throughout the diocese. Priests from
st. Paul and Hastings occasionally
visited Red Wing, celebrating Mass at
the home of Thomas Taylor until 1859.
In 1858 Rev. Felix Tissot was given
charge of the Catholics living in Wa
basha and Goodhue counties, with res
idence in Wabasha. From the latter
village the youthful missionary began
regular trips throughout his extensive
parish. The baptismal records in Wa
basha bear witness of a goodly num-
ber of Catholics in Goodhue county
at that time. On his visit to Red
Wing, January 12, 1859, two children
were baptized by Father Tissot. The
So1,@ r
pointed successor to Bishop Cretin in
1859. The opening of government
land for settlers then attracted
large number cf Catholics from the
older states. The glowing accounts
sent to Germany and Ireland by Cath
olics who first came induced others to
follow. In consequence Father Tissot's
labors seem to have materially in
creased in 1860 throughout the county.
The number of the faithful became too
large in Red Wing for services in pri-
vate houses. Lots and 6, at the
corner of Fifth and Park Streets, were
secured and an organization of par
ish was begun. Arrangements to build
a suitable church were made during
the visits of Father Tissot, On April
IA, 1860, he baptized three in Red
Wing and on the 25th two more. On
the 26th he baptized one in Cherry
Grove; returning to Red Wing on the
9th, he baptized another. On July
6, 1860, we find an account of his visit
to Pine Island, when he administered
the sacrament of baptism to twelve,
whose plighted vows were faithfully
observed by the Martins, Kennedys,
Doyles, Germans, and KeaneS, the pio
neers Of the church in that section.
In Belle Creek he placed an O'Reilly
upon the record July 10. The same
day saw four added to the Church in
Hay Creek. Frontenac furnished
three in December, Koch, Miller and
Schmidt. Father Tissot in 1861 con-
tinued to make the same rounds
through the county. On April Is, 1862, |
Red Wing gave evidence of the need I
of a place of worship, when eleven
were presented for enrolment as
Christians
The following interesting statistics
from the records at Wabasha present I
to our view the busy life of this early
missionary:
May 1, baptized at Red Wing, 1;
May 13, baptized at Pine Island, 4;
May IA, baptized at Cherry. Grove. 2;
May Is, baptized at Belle Creek, Q;
May 16, baptized at Red Wing, l.
Upon his visit to Red Wing in June
that town redeemed itself by having
FIVE for him. On his visit, which !