The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-10-29
ST. JosEPH's PARISH.
: Taken From Acta ct Dicta,
by Rev, j, n, Gauuhan.

Rev A. RavouX was commissioned
by Bishop Loras of Dubuque in 1871,
to visit the Sioux in Minnesota Ac-
cordingiy, Father Ravoux entered
upon his heroic mission of convert
ing the Sioux of Lac qui Parle and
Chaska. He returned to the vicinity
of Mendoza 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 Ra-
Voux called at Red Wing on April 5,
1S43, when travelling afoot to Du-
buque.
Right Rev. Joseph Cretin, D. D., was
the first Bishop of st. Paul. Several
priests were ordained by him to ad-
minister 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
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
Wabasha bear witness of goodly
number of Catholics in Goodhue coun-
ty at that time. On his visit to Red
Wing, January IL, 1859, two children
were baptized by Father Tissot. The
Right Rev. Thomas l.. Grace was ap-
pointed successor to Bishop Cretin in
1859. The opening of government land
for settlers then attracted a large
number of Catholics from the older
states. The glowing accounts sent to
Germany and Ireland by Catholics
who first came induced others to fol-
low. In consequence, Father Tissot's
labors seem to have materially in
creased in 1860 throughout the coun-
ty. The number of the faithful be-
came too large in Red Wing for serv.
ices in private houses. Lots and 6,
at the corner Of Fifth and Park streets,
were secured and an organization of
a parish was begun. Arrangements to
build a suitable church were made
during. the visits of Father Tissot.
On April 10, 1862, Red Wing gave ev-
idence of the need of a place of wor-
ship, when eleven were presented for
enrolment as Christians. July IL,
1866, being Trinity Sunday, was in
deed red letter day for the Catholics
of Red Wing. Upon that occasion,
the Right Rev. Thomas l.. Grace, as
sisted by Rev. L. Cailliet and Father
Tissot dedicated their new church,
placing it under the patronage of St.
Joseph. The Right Reverend Bishop
administered confirmation to a class
of ,fifty-five Rapid increase of the
Catholic population rendered it i'm
possible for Father Tissot to attend to
the spiritual needs of both counties.
The Rev. Christian Joseph Knauf was
appointed by Bishop Grace as pastor
of Goodhue county, with residence at
Red Wing. Father Knauf, with Red
Wing as center, took up the rounds
to Belle Creek, Cherry Grove and Bel
videre. The number of Catholics in
oreasing with the flow of immigration,
Father Stariha, later Bishop of Lead.
S. D., succeeded Father Knauf in
June, 1872, as pastor of Red Wing and
its missions. Father Stariha erected
a school building in the following year
and secured as teachers three jealous
school Sisters of Notre Dame, from
Milwaukee. Sister Bathildis acted as
superioress and remained at st. Jo-
seph's. until 1892. The missions in
charge. of Father Stariha were now too
large TO admit Of his attending them.
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