The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-11-11
OUTSIDE THE CITIES


st. Dominics church is making prep.
arations for q bazaar and six o'clock
chicken dinner in their church hall on
Wednesday, November Is. A fine &C.
dar chest filed with brides complete
outfit of kitchen, dining room and bed
room linens will be awarded to the
fortunate winner. They also have a
fine line of bed comforts, aprons and
fancy articles.
Wilimar: Thursday, November g.
the new st. Mary's church of Willmar
was dedicated with impressive cere
monies by the Most Reverend Austin
Bowling, d. D., Archbishop of. st. Paul
| who also preached the sermon on the
occasion. He was attended by the
Rev. P. ]. Boland of Litchfield and the
Rev. jeremiah O'Callaghan of Elder
Valley as deacons of honor. At the
Solemn High Mass, the Rev. Jos. Han
nan, pastor of st. Mary's, was the
celebTant, assisted by Rev. J. j. Mol
10y of Shieldsville as deacon, Rev. C.
McDevitt as subdeacon and Rev. NJ. NJ
Ryan of Darwin master of ceremonies
Other visiting clergymen included the
Rev. Francis Bouska of Montevideo
Rev. Andrew Roller of Clara City, and
Rev. William P. Walsh of Murdoch
The dedication festival was marked
by unusual features. 1t represented a
building program happily achieved
within period of about three months
1t gave to the community of Wilmar a
church edifice that stands out con.
spicuous in size and design among the
numerous churches of the city. 1t
was testimonial of the zeal of the
parishioners under the leadership OF
their pastor, Father Hannah, who has
been in charge q little over a year
With the aid of local craftsman
Father Hannah drew up his plans for
building in Old Mission style to re.
place the former structure. He per.
sonally superintendent the construc.
ton and directed the workmen from
beginning to end. He added new al.
tar to the equipment and will install
new pews and other accessories lat
er The new church has a seating ca
pacity of about four hundred and the
basement contains an excellent parish
hall
1t is of record that the first Mass
was celebrated in Willmar in 1871 by
Father Hurley. He used the store of
Mr.. M. P: Moran for the purpose. The
first church building was put up by
members of the community with
materials costing $3.50, on three lots
purchased from the railroad company
for $50. The first practical organiza.
ton was effected by Father Boland
who, from 1885 to 1900, attended the
people from Litchfield. The Rev. j
J. Molloy was the first resident pas.
tor, coming in 1900. At that time, the
parochial residence was acquired at a
cost of $4,000 In 1905, an additional
| tract Of six lots was purchased for 81,
900. The Rev. c. McDevitt was pas
| tor in 1907. Other priests visiting the
place previously or later were Fathers
Cahill, Kerney, Ryan, H. McDevitt and
| McDermott. In 1911, the church build
ing just replaced was located on the
| present site.
| The Rev. Jos. Hannah came to Will
mar in the fall of 1921, from the
Church of the Immaculate Conception
Faribault, Mimi, where he had beer
assistant to the Right Rev. J. ]. Sic
vim, V. G. From fifty families, the
|
double that number Father Hannar
also attends the neighboring mission
| Of Kandiyolic.