The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-03-02
THE PARISH OF THE HOLY TRIM
ITY, NEW ULM, MINI.

The First Catholic Church Of New
Ulm was built in the year 1862, under
the supervision of Rev. Valentine
Sommereisen of Mankato. This was
a small frame structure which was
destroyed during the Indian Massacre
of the same year. 1t took three years
before the project of building a new
church was revived. A substantial
donation from the Mission Society OF
Munich, Bavaria, helped it along. This
was the real beginning of the parish
Of The Holy Trinity. When Rev.
Alexander Berghold arrived in New
Ulm January 1G, 1869, this church
was under roof, the Cornerstone having
been laid September /, 1866. 1t was
built of brick, As feet wide and so
feet long. 1t was dedicated Septem-
Der II, 1870, by the Rt. Rev. Thos. L..
Grace of st. Paul.
The real growth and marvellous de-
velopment of this parish is due in
large measure to the energy and UNI
firing labors of Father Berghold. To
him unstinted praise is due. We of
later date, owe him a debt of graft
tude, which we can never fully pay.
He found half finished church and
only about twenty-five Catholic fam
lilies. Five years later, in May, 1874,
the Sisters of Christian Charity OF
Wilkesbarre, Pa, assumed charge OF
the school, To the present day these
good Sisters have been a potent fac
tor in the upbuilding of the parish.
The little hospital inaugurated by
Father Berghold has grown to be one
of the finest and largest institutions
in Southern Minnesota. 1t has been
enlarged three times. But four years
ago a modern, fully equipped hospital
was erected at the cost OF S75,O0O;
the old building being now entirely
given over to the care Of old people.
1t was due to Father Berghold's zeal
| that the present brick church was
started in the year 1890. 1t is de
signed in Roman Style. Before it was
completed, however, Father BerghOld
was called away, after having labored
| here successfully for twenty-five
years. When his people were poor
and the needs of his growing flock
were many, he often undertook lee,
ture tours to the East to gather funds
for the upbuilding of this parish. His
memory will live long in the hearts
of his faithful parishiOners.
Rev. Alois Plut, thereupon, was ap
pointed pastor and remained here fol
two years. He was succeeded by
Rev. John A. Schroeder in August
1892. He completed the church. AT
ter six years of faithful work he re
tired to his old home in Luxembourg
| where he died December %, 1902.
/ Rev. II. B. Sandmeyer took charge
of the parish in October, 1898. I'm
der him few commodious parsonage
was built and also new schoo
house, which at that time was thu
finest and largest and best equipped
: parochial school house in the State
1t contains ten large class rooms, al
assembly room for societies, an audi
forum seating seven hundred people
bowling alleys, etc. 1t was built Il
1904, and cost approximately $4,000
Ten Sisters have charge of about fiv
hundred and fifty children.
In the year 1910, Rev. Rober
Schlinkert, the present incumben1
was appointed pastor. He is assiste
by Rev. John Cores and Rev. Aus
E. Rhode. At present the congregs
: ton has about six hundred and fit
families. There are nine fiourishin
3 societies. The parish is free froI
debt.