The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-11-18
HISTORY OF ST. MARYS PARISH
BISMARCK.

The congregation was organized in
1876 by Right Rev. Bishop Martin Mar
ty and the Rev. Chrysostom Foffa,
O. S. B., who also built the first school
and rectory and convent for the Bene-
dictine Sisters Of st. Joseph, Mimi, as
annexes to the church. Previous to
this date Rev. J. Genin, while making
his mission tour to the Indians, at
tended the Catholics of Bismarck,
which was first called Fort Hancock,
BuFleigh, Excelsior. German capital
used in construction of the Northern
Pacific Railway and high bridge over
the Missouri River won for this town
the name of Bismarck. Father Genin
resorted to the unique way of trans
porting the windwrecked and unpaid
for church building of Detroit, Mimi,
on fat cars to Bismarck, Dakota Ter
ritory. Monsignor Jos. Buh also Wis
tied this territory in the early seven
ties. The parish and missions were
served by Revs. Bernard Burning
(1880), William Eversmann, o. S. B.,
Eduard Guenther, o. S. B. (1S81), Paul
Rettenmaier, O. S. B. (1S85), Bede
Northman, o. S. B. (1SS6), Wolfgang
Steinkogler, o. S. B. Ito 1880, Alfred
Mayer Ito Aug, 1900, Martin Schmitt,
Q. S. B. Ito May, 1886.
All labored we'll though difficulties
were many and great. Rev. Clement
Dimpf, 0. S. B., was appointed to take
charge and settle various matters
which he succeeded in doing by build
ing new church edifice, better 10
Gated and more spacious as well as
attractive. The same building serves
for the time being as Pro-Cathedral.
New buildings for rectory, school and
convent were provided for on the east
side near the new church, whereas
the old buildings stood on the west
side. In August, 1898, the big fire
wiped out the business district of Bis.
marek and some private dwellings. 1t
was September Is when Right Rev
Bishop John Stanley blessed the
church amidst a great concourse of
people. Matters improved with the
disappearance of the old-time shacks
and customs with the long expected
arrival of the 500 Line (Washburn
Line) locating great coal mines. Pros.
porous little towns grew up all over
the territory of five counties where
commodious churches were built and
resident pastors appointed. st. Alexi-
US Hospital, in charge of the Bene-
dictine Sisters of st. Joseph, Mimi,
since 1885, became sanitarium known
and loved far and wide. The priests
acting as chaplains of the hospital or
helping in the vast territory and mis-
sion. work were: Revs. P. Keanan
t1880), Valentine Stimmler (1896 and
49,. Joseph Viii {1S9S), Otto Weisser
s(1900), Adolf Dingmann and Louis
Traufier t1903-1905), Bonaventure
Hansen, still active, and Peter Wolf
mix (1906),. and Philip Banner Ito
1909, Benedict Schmit ,(1910). These
Benedictine Fathers were sent to the
mission field by the Christian Spirit of
Abbots Alexius and Peter of st. Johns,
Collegeville, Mimi. Mission conveyance
was horse and blackboard. Church
service was held at any convenient
place. Bishop Stanley appointed Reys.
NJ. J. Simonsand p. McPhee as resident
chaplains.g The State Prison was at
tended by the local pastor.
In the year of our Lord 1907, the
cornerstone was laid for the new pa
rochial school on 9th, street and it was
dedicated by the Right Rev. Bishop
John Stanley in January, 1908. The
cost of the building and heating
amounted to $25,000..
With the death of Bishop Stanley
the diocese of Fargo was divided into
Fargo and Bismarck dioceses. Abbot
Vincent Wehrle was consecrated
Bishop and installed most selemnly
and auspicioHsly on June Is, 1910, by
His Grace. Archbishop John Ireland of
st. Paul, MINI. Among many digni-
taries the, Supreme Court of State,
Gov. John Burke and state depart
ments, military officials of Fort Lin
coin attended and Catholic, societies
were represented in great numbers at
the installation. Catholic societies in
st. Mary's parish as they were grow
ing in the western part of the state
of North Dakota, with immigrants
from Europe and growth Of popula-