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A Brief History of Assumption Church:The history of Assumption Church at Morris is largely the history of the development of this section of Minnesota. The first Mass was celebrated at Morris in 1870. Services were held in a railroad section house by Father Hurley and Father McDermott, who occasionally visited Morris as an outlying mission from St. Paul. Morris and the surrounding area was thus administered to until 1876 when Father Walsh became the first resident priest at Morris. At that time, Assumption Church embraced the territory comprised of counties Stevens, Pope, Traverse, Wilkin, Big Stone and Swift.Father Walsh also built a house in Morris. The house also served as a chapel and from here he ministered to his extensive Parish. The house was sold when Father Walsh left Morris. Father Walsh was succeeded in 1877 by Rev. Charles Wensieki. The original Assumption Church was built during his pastorate in 1877 on a corner lot donated by the railroad company for church purposes. This church was later enlarged and a building attached to the rear served as a parish house. The church subsequently acquired five adjoining lots. 
The first Church was built under adverse circumstances. The early settlers of this area were poor and not too numerous. It is to their credit that they accomplished what they did. Mr. William Wunsch, a respected citizen of Morris at that time, has often been praised for taking such an active role in making the first Church a possibility. Rev. A. V. Pellison succeeded Rev. Wensieki in August, 1879 and he was succeeded by Rev. F. H. Watry in November of 1880. Rev. Watry built the old parish house in 1882 at a cost of $3,000. He also established a school, at first, in the Church building and later on, conducting it in a building that stood opposite the present parish house. The school was taught at first, by lay teachers, later by three sisters of St. Benedict, then by Sisters of Mercy. In time, conditions forced the Church to discontinue the school. The sisters of Mercy, however, conducted a government Indian school on the site now occupied by U.M.M. 
Father Watry was succeeded in August, 1885, by Rev. William Lange, who, in turn, gave way to Rev. Frank Reilly in June, 1886. Rev. Watry again became pastor in August of 1886. Two months later, in October, 1886, the Rev. George Gaskell took charge of the parish. Father Gaskell was pastor at Morris for fourteen years until his death in November, 1900. Father Gaskell was eminently successful and governed the parish firmly but wisely. In 1892, a large brick veneered church was built under his direction at a cost of $12,000. Despite the hard financial problems of the time, there was but $1,000 debt when Father Gaskell died. This Church was solemnly dedicated August 6, 1893 by Archbishop Zardette, then bishop of St. Cloud.
After the death of Father Gaskell, Rev. G. J. Goebel was appointed pastor and he was succeeded in March, 1905 by Rev. Edward Jones. In the Spring of 1905, Father Jones had the parish house remodeled and enlarged. In July of that year, the church built by Father Gaskell was totally destroyed by fire. Arrangements were made at once for the building of a new church structure. On May 20, 1906, the bishop of St. Cloud, Rev. James Trobec, assisted by twelve priests and in the presence of four thousand people, solemnly laid the corner stone of the new church. On September 29, 1906, near completion of the new church, the bishop blessed the bell, donated by William Wunsch. The Church was constructed at a cost of about $40,000. Members of the parish building committee included: William Wunsch, Charles Dushek, Michael Mahoney, Timothy Murphy, M. F. Mullen and Joseph Sauter. 
A complete description of the new church structure appear in the "Souvenir", a booklet published in 1907 by Assumption Church in honor of the dedication of the new Church. "The new church cost approximately $40,000 at is now stands. It has, a seating capacity of seven hundred fifty in the main auditorium, besides a large choir gallery. There is also a full basement under the church which will be used as a hall for meetings, dinners, etc. This commodius basement has been pronounced the finest in the northwest. The style of architecture in the exterior is what is called Old English Village Church design and its massive proportions at once attract attention. The interior of the church is pure Roman style, with rounded arches and stately pilasters. The color scheme is to effect what is called the subdued religious light and beautifully harmonizes with stained glass, emblematic windows, donated by the parishioners. The church is built of Kasota stone and pressed brick with an iron frame work inside; the woodwork and pews in the church are of dark, golden oak, beautifully finished. The approach to the building is very beautiful; broad stone steps leading up to the entrances of which there are three provided with swinging doors, affording easy entrance and exit. There is a large vestibule with tile flooring and on the right of the vestibule, is the baptistry finished in marble and beautifully furnished by the children of the parish. The building is heated throughout by steam and lighted by electricity. The altars, pulpit and communion railing were designed and made by Nicholas Ehlerg, of St. Paul. They are marvels of skilled workmanship and artistic wood carving and are conceded by all who have inspected them to models of art and beauty, fit for the house of God. The people of the Assumption parish at Morris, now possess one of the finest buildings of its kind in the state of Minnesota, and all of the citizens are proud of the new structure. To the building committee and to the people generally, is due a great deal of praise for having accomplished so much during the last two years under the leadership of their pastor, Rev. Edward Jones; he was the guiding spirit and the soul of the undertaking, and as is evident, fully understood the magnitude of the task, as well as the possibility of artistic arrangements and beauty of effect." At the opening of the new church, Father Jones addressed the people with these words: "It is with profound gratitude to God that I address you today. The year of 1906 will ever be a memorable one in the annals of your parish. A year ago you were without a church home, and grateful to be allowed to worship your Creator in the town hall. Today you assemble for divine worship in a beautiful church, and assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the mass offered upon a magnificent altar--the generous gift of a Catholic gentleman. God in his sweet providence has blessed our efforts and given us a measure of success beyond our most sanguine expectations. You have built a stately church that is an honor to ourselves, a monument to our holy faith, a credit to the community at large. Its massive walls and graceful tapering spire will ever bespeak the praised of your loyal faith and Christian piety. Its sweet toned bell donated by the patriarch of the parish, summons you to divine service and announces three times daily the wondrous mystery of man's redemption. Its storied windows tell us of the mysteries of our holy faith; of our duties to God and country. The stately pulpit, the superb side altars, the symbolic communion railing, and the beautiful crucifixion group on the high altar--the gifts of devoted people, all speak to us of eternal life; of the joys of the risen Saviour, of the sweet mystery of death and the hope of heaven beyond. We have reason, indeed, to be profoundly grateful to God for having accomplished so much in one short year. With grateful hearts then we return our sincere thanks to the Author of life, the Giver of every best and perfect gift, that in his sweet providence He has bestowed upon, his children, such a large measure of success. "After God, we owe our gratitude to the kind co-operation of the good people of the parish. For every kind word spoken, and every assistance rendered in our great work, we are truly grateful and tender our heartfelt thanks to all." Dedication ceremonies were held in the new church in 1907 by the late Bishop Trobec of St. Cloud. In 1910, the parish acquired half a block of property and a home for the Sisters of St. Joseph who opened a parochial school in the spacious church basement in 1911. In 1914, the present St. Mary's School was built at cost of $40,000. The school was complete with a full basement and gymnasium. The first floor classrooms were used for grade school children and an enrollment of 140 with the second floor designated for the high school department and its 78 students. No tuition was charged. The school was accredited by the University of Minnesota until 1943. At that time , the Sisters of St. Joseph, unable to supply qualified teachers, withdrew. The Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, whose motherhouse is in Little Falls continued to operate the grade school section with an enrollment of 150 students. The remodeling and enlarging of the parish house in 1905, the building of the new church, the purchase of the home for the Sisters of St. Joseph, and; finally, the building of the school with its high school department, stamp Father Jones as a builder, a man with vision and exceptional ability. Failing health compelled Father Jones to resign his parish in June, 1921. He died August 19, 1929. Father Jones was succeeded in 1921 by the Rev. George Rauch. During the pastorate of Father Rauch, the parish debt was greatly reduced and the high school was accredited by the University of Minnesota. When Father Rauch was transferred to the parish of Long Prairie in June 1932, he left Assumption parish in a healthy financial and spiritual condition, and, to this day, he can count every member of Assumption parish as a personal friend. Father Rauch was succeeded by the Very Rev. John A. Fearon. During this pastorate of seven years, the parish buildings were thoroughly repaired, renovated, remodeled where necessary, and, the church was decorated--all at a cost of some $39,000. B. J. Benfield and Ray Leuthard were the lay trustees. Mention of some benefactors of the parish include: John J. Cairney, trustee for many years, donor of some of the high altar, generous in his support of the church, who, in his will, left $1,000 to the parish; Michael Fitzgerald, who, left $2,500 to his parish; Eugene Fitzgerald, who bequeathed $10,000 to Assumption church. However, Father Fearon wrote "This mention might not be deemed entirely fair, because during the years the parishioners of the Assumption church have been outstanding in their devotion to their parish, and in loyalty to their ecclesiastical superiors." The years of Monsignor Fearon's pastorate in Morris can best be recounted by referring to the Morris Sun and Tribune's account at the time of his death in November 1953: 
"The death of Monsignor Fearon was not unexpected for he had failed rapidly in recent weeks and had been in a coma since Friday. The sad news of his passing at 11:20 Sunday morning was received with deepest sorrow and regret by the entire community for during the years he had labored here he had won the admiration, esteem, and high respect of, and was beloved by all and had especially endeared himself to his parishioners. His work in the parish has been outstanding and in his death the community loses one of its most able citizens." Among Monsignor Fearon's recognitions was his appointment in 1952 as Domestic Prelate by his Holiness, Pope Pius XII. He was invested as such in very colorful ceremonies on June 11, 1952 at Morris. His first appointment in the priesthood was as an assistant to Father Jones at Assumption Church. In June of 1932 Bishop Joseph F. Trobec appointed Monsignor Fearon pastor of Assumption Church. During his pastorate in Morris the large parish debt was nearly paid off, the physical plant was restored and improved at a cost of well over $100,000 and the parish obtained a healthy balance in the treasury for future needs.  Monsignor also served as dean of the Morris district, was a Diocesan and Parish Priest consultar and also served on the school board of the diocese. Fr. Ziegler succeeded Monsignor Fearon in 1954 as pastor at Assumption Church and served until July of 1957. In July of 1957 Monsignor Benedict Petermeier was appointed dean of the Morris deanery and pastor of Assumption Parish. Monsignor directed the renovation of the church, school and rectory at a cost of some $45,000; bought, adjoining lots and home for $27,000 including a Newman center; bought 21 acres of new property on the outskirts. of Morris, including a new home, for about $35,000 and was instrumental in building the Villa of St. Francis at a cost of some $600,000. 
Monsignor Petermeier was created a Domestic Prelate in Monsignor also served on numerous diocesan June of 1958 boards anti councils his tenure at Morris. Monsignor now resides at the St. Francis nursing home in Morris. Following Monsignor Petermeier in 1969 as pastor as Morris was Fr. Donald Rieder. Fr. Rieder served until 1970 when the present pastor, Fr. Lawrence Botz assumed those responsibilities. Since 1970 there has been extensive and costly upkeep and repair to Assumption Church, including the Rectory, St. Mary's School and the Convent. It has been under the direction of Fr. Botz that the parish Council has continued to take active and influential role in church affairs. 1975 also marked the first year that a lay religious coordinator served the parish. Assisting Fr. Botz with the parish duties for the past three years has been Fr. Stan Wieser. 
(This history was apparently written in about 1978. Author unknown.) Copyright © 2007, Assumption Catholic Church. All rights reserved. |