The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-10-08
HISTORY OF ST. THOMAS PRO
CATHEDRAL PARISH.

In the year 1856, Ri. Rev Joseph
Cretin, the first bishop of ST. Paul,
visited Winona and organized the first
Catholic parish and appointed Rever-
end Thomas Murray of st. Paul to
minister to thEspiritual needs Of the
little mission. Father Murray selected
a location in what is now the south
west corner of the first ward, as
site for the church. On this spot the
first Catholic church in Winona was
erected and dedicated to the honor
and glory of God under the patronage
of st. Thomas the Apostle.
In July, 1858, the Reverend Michael
Prendergast became the first resident
pastor of Winona. Under his direc-
ton, the location of the pioneer church
was changed. He purchased the prop
erty on Center Street between Wa
basha and Sanborn Streets and moved
the church from its previous location.
Father Prendergast's parish was rath-
er extensive, as in addition to the
Catholics of Winona and of Winona
county, he had under his charge the
Catholic pioneers in Wabasha, Ohm
sted, Houston, Fillmore, Steele and
Mower counties. To-day this same
territory makes up about half of the
diocese of Winona. In the days when
Father Prendergast covered this cir
cult there were no railroads in the
territory. The nearest approach to
the modern Ford was an Indian pony.
The records of baptisms and mar
riages performed by Father Prender-
CAST on his missionary trips are pre-
served in the archives of the Cathe-
dral parish. The dates affixed to the
various entries show that he was con-
stantly on the move among his var
ious missions and stations.
In August, 1852, Reverend Theodore
Venn was sent to Winona to divide
the work with Father Prendergast.
Father Venn took charge of the Ger
mans, Poles and Bohemians in Winona
county. Father Prendergast was
transferred from Winona early in 1864.
Until the appointment of Reverend
William Lette in April of that year,
Father Norris attended the missions.
Father Venn had left Winona in
December, 1868, and Father Lette had
all the Catholics of Winona county
under his charge until June, 1868. He
built the churches at Lewiston and
Hart and the foundation for the pres
ent Cathedral. Rt. Reverend Monsign-
or Plut succeeded him in 1868. Mon
Int oI,, Oh
son, Elba and Rollingstone. In adj
dition, the Church of st. Stanislaus,
Winona, was started, and the major
part of the Church Of st. Thomas
erected.
In June, 1871, Reverend Joseph B
Cotter was sent by Bishop Grace tc
take charge of st. Thomas parish to-
gether with the missions of ST.
Charles, Lewiston, Hart and Ridgway
Father Cotter remained in charge OF
the Church of st. Thomas until Deem
Der q, 1889, on which date he was
consecrated first bishop of Winona
Bishop Cotter spent forty years of his
noble life in the city of Winona. He
lived to see the seed which he had
planted take root and fructify. He en-
joyed, as indeed he. richly deserved
the respect and generation of men Of
all creeds and no creed. His name
is household word in Winona and
his memory will live in benediction
His successor, Rev. P. ]. Gallagher
had charge of the parish for twenty
two years. He went to his reward
February 8, 1914. ta
In 1906, the Cathedral parish cele
brated the golden jubilee of it's found
ing. On that occasion there were
present at the festivities, Most Rever
end Archbishop Ireland, Bishop O'Gor
man, Monsignor Oster, Monsignol
Plut, Father Lette and others who
knew the history of the Northwest no
by reading but by actual experience
1t was in the home of Mrs. Urell tina
Bishop Cretin read the first holy Mass
in 1855. Mrs. Urell was present at the
golden jubilee of the parish.
The second Church of st. Thomas
now the Cathedral, was dedicated at
ter the arrival Of Bishop Cotter il
A. ~