The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-04-02
SAINT MARY'S PARISH, WORTH
INGTON. MINNESOTA.

INS Wv ''N'
The late official census gives the
population of Worthngton, Mimi, as
$500. 1t is located on the eastern
banks of beautiful Lake Okabena. Al
though the county seat and the largest
city in Mobiles, county it has never
been the center of Catholicity, Mobiles
d eountys Catholic population being CEN
tered in the west and northwest. AS
a result ST Mary's congregation has
had hard and long struggle in the
fight for existence. Handicapped by
lack of numbers the few faithful Cath
Dlics who formed the congregation
have kept the parochial fires burning
until today their perseverance is
about to be rewarded by new and bet
fer things. The City of Worthin2ton
is undergoing a new birth. Progress
is being made along all lines. Many
90 new families are locating here and
g st. Marys parish is claiming her
quota. Within the last two years
twenty new families have been added
to the Parish Register. 1t is now a
thriving congregation of 65 families.
Holy Mass was celebrated in Worth
ineton for the first time in the year
1872. At the request of Mr.. Henry
Davis, a local merchant at that time,
Archbishop Ireland sent Father Au-
gustine, a missionary from Mankato,
Mimi, to look after the few faithful
Catholics of this locality. Services
were held in the home of Mr.. Davis
above the store. For the following
three years Fathers Sutton and Rich
ards. also of Mankato, held services in
Worthington about every two months.
In the year 1875, Archbishop Ireland
made a personal visit to Worthington
and formed what was then known as
t'the Catholic Colony" For the fol
lowing two years the new colony S
spiritual welfare was looked after by
Father Naugh of Adrian, Mimi. In
1877 the missionary work of Worth
inaton was turned over to the parish
II Heron Lake, Mimi. Fathers Kill
berly, Ryan and Ogulin attending st.
Mary's successfully In the year. 1878
Father Ogulin built the present
VI church,. 1t was later on enlarged dur
e 5ng the pastorate of Father Sherman
a During the following years until
1903 the following priests in turn
looked after the spiritual needs of the
people: Fathers Reichel, Vanden
berg, Sands, Havelcheck: Van Hoen
akere-who purchased a parochial res
idence-and Father, Schneider Father
Bartholome was appointed first pastor
If Worthington in 1904. In 1905 he
was succeeded by Father Sherman
who remained until 1908. Father
; Sherlock succeeded Father Sherman
and was himself succeeded by Father
McTeague in 1914. In 1916 the pres
.ent pastor, Father ]. Lawrence OCon
nor took charge of st. Mary's.
Shortly after Father O'Connor be
& came pastor it was determined to
tabuild ANEW parochial residence, and
enlarge the church The war, how
ever. made this impossible. A new
home was purchased instead. The old
residence, located one block from the
church, was sold, and two lots adj
joining the present church property
We're secured. The parish now pos
.sesses one-third of block of property
and one of the best locations in the
City of Worthington.
To-day we are forward looking
!. congregation. The prospects are
bright for one of the finest congrega
ations in southern Minnesota. God
speed the day when the desire and
prayers of the people for a Sisters
.>school shall be accomplished.