The Catholic bulletin., 1920-11-06
ST. MARYs CHURCH, SLEEPY EYE

The first Catholic settlers within
the present territory of the congrega-
tion settled west of New Ulm and
southeast of Sleepy Eye, along the
Minnesota river. There excellent
farmland is to be found. During the
year 1870 till 1875 the Rev. Alexander
Berghold came from New Ulm and
conducted services in the home of
Jacob Bertrand. The sturdy pioneers,
strong in body and faith, frequently
made the arduous journey to New Ulm
TO attend divine services there. From
time to time the question of building
church in this vicinity was dis
'cussed. But when in the year 1875
the railroad was built through Sleepy
Eye, the opinion prevailed that this
would be the right place for church.
During the spring of 1876 the Rev.
Father Berghold called a meeting or
Catholics in an old log schoolhouse
for the purpose of organizing a con-
gregation. At this meeting it was re-
solved to build brick-veneered
church. A committee was appointed
which at once. took the necessary
steps. Aloysius Schwengel was chair
man and Johann Graft secretary, with
Matthias Hoffman, treasurer. After
some discussion where the new
church should be located Father Berg
hold decided upon the present site.
Immediately building operations were
begun, and in September of the same
year the framework of the building
had been so far completed that the
Rev. Father Berghold could read holy
Mass there.
From this time till June, 1878, the
young congregation was supplied at
stated intervals by the Rev. Nicolaus
Greisch, S. j., of Mankato, and the
Rev. Johann Tori, assistant priest of
New Ulm. Father Greisch made
great efforts to complete the building
of the church. Father Tori managed
the building of the parsonage. Then,
in June, 1878, the Rev. Bernard Sand
meyer came, who was the first resi-
dent priest. Owing to the rapid
growth of the congregation the church
building soon became too small. It
was enlarged by building an addition.
The congregation also was incorpo-
rated according to the laws of the
State of Minnesota and received the
name st. Mary's Church of Sleepy
Eye. The incorporators were Bishop
Thomas l.. Grace, st. Paul; Rev. Au-
gustine Ravoux, Vicar-General;, Rev.
Bernard Sandmeyer, Anton Steffen,
John P. Bertrand.
Soon the need of a parochial school
was recognized. Under the guiding
care of Father Sandmeyer school
was built in 1888, which at that time
was considered an imposing structure.
. When it was opened in fall of the
same year ninety children were regis
tered. The Franciscan. Sisters of
Rochester, Mimi, took charge of the
school. Sister Veronica was principal:
her assistant was Sister Lawrence.
During the year 1884 the Rev. E. M.
Dekiere was pastor of the congrega-
tion. In January, 1885, he was sue
ceeded by the Rev. Johann Tori, who
took great pains to beautify the in
terror of the church by purchasing
altars, etc. He continued in his
blessed work till spring, 1890, when
the Rev. George Pax came as his sue
cessor. He was active in the congre-
cation till December, 1897, when he id
aurn was succeeded by the Rev.
Aloisius Plut. March Is, 1900, the
Rev. Wendelin M. Stulz was appointed
to this pastorate by the Most Rev.
Bishop.
The coming of the Rev. Father Stulz
marked new era in the history of
the congregation. For years the
church building had not been big
enough to accommodate the steadily
growing membership of the congrega-
tion. Father .Stulz worked with great
zeal and determination among his
flock. Very soon it was agreed upon
to build a new church. Construction
work was begun in 1901; October q
the new church was dedicated by the
Most Rev. Archbishop Ireland. Even
at this time the building is one Of the
largest and most beautiful in the State
of Minnesota. The great willingness
of the members of the congregation
ITO donate, together, with the prudent
and energetic business ability Of the
priest, made 1t possible that the
church. at the time Of its dedication,
was without cent Of debt
n 1904 the spsei0nS parsonage xas