St Paul's, Sauk Center, Celebrated Church Building Centennial

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“My brothers and sisters in Christ. You don’t look 100 years old, nor does the building.” Looking over the filled pews of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre on Sunday, June 25, Bishop John Kinney offered these words during a celebration Mass. The Mass was con-celebrated by the Bishop of the Diocese of St. Cloud; guest priests Father Fintan Bromenshenkel, Father Elmer Torborg and Father Tim Wenzel; current pastor Father Todd Schneider and Deacon Thomas McFadden.

Also attending the day-long event was Father Sylvester Kleinschmidt, Father James Statz, Father Richard McGuire and Father Pascal Otieno Ounga. It was all in honor of the 100th anniversary of the building of the church structure. The day-long celebration included a meal at the Holy Family School cafeteria catered by Sassy’s and a variety show put on by parishioners. While St. Paul’s Parish was formed in 1870. The cornerstone for this church building was laid in April of 1904 and construction completed.

The first Mass and dedication by Bishop Trobec was on April 25, 1906. Bishop Kinney made reference to how Bishop Trobec arrived at St. Paul’s for this first Mass. “I was driving my Jeep here and I wondered how Bishop Trobec got here in 1906, either by buggy or train,” said Bishop Kinney, noting there were many swamps between St. Cloud and Sauk Centre. He added, back then the diocese was “only 17 years old.”

“With a show of hands, how many of you were here in 1906,” he asked, as the church erupted in laughter, and no one raised their hand. He praised former priests, the Franciscan sisters and the first six families for their “faith filled beginning.” “They are your ancestors in faith,” said the bishop. “Their accomplishments have led, not only to the beauty of this building, but the planting of that faith.” Looking down the road 100 years, Bishop Kinney asked one favor of the children sitting in the pews. “All of you children, with all the medical advances, you may be around when the next 100 years rolls around. And when the bishop asks you if you were here 100 years ago, you’ll remember this old crotchety bishop was here,” he said, speaking of himself. And they will also remember the first 100-year celebration. [snip] Sauk Herald