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New Members
Welcome to St. Benedict’s Catholic Church of Wild Rice
If you are new to the area, we would like to welcome you to St. Benedict’s. To register as a new member of the parish, please introduce yourself to Fr. Jasinski after Mass or contact the parish office. The parish registration form is available on the “Forms and Documents” page or by completing the Online Registration form.
If you or someone you know are interested in becoming Catholic, please contact the parish office.
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A Brief History
Our community traces its roots to French-Candaian missionary priests who ministered in the Red River Valley beginning in the 1840s. Documents show that Holy Cross Mission was present at the mouth of the Wild Rice River, 10 miles south of Fargo, by 1870.
As more settlers came, the mission church was too small for the growing congregation. A church was built on a new site (the present location) around 1888, and renamed to St. Benedict. The current church was constructed on the same site in 1913.
Presentation Sisters ran St. Joseph’s School from 1903 until 1966.
St. Benedict Cemetery dates from the 1880s.
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Church Art
To view the art which decorates the interior of St. Benedict Church, visit the Church Art page.
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150th Anniversary
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The Celebration
After a delay of 1 year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 150th anniversary of St. Benedict was celebrated on Oct. 9, 2021.
- Bishop Folda celebrated Mass to open our celebration of our 150th Anniversary.
- After Mass, Paul Richard gave a presentation on the history of Holy Cross Mission, St. Benedict’s Church and St. Joseph Academy.
- Dinner, fellowship and a lot of storytelling followed in the social hall.
- A slide show provided a photo history of our parish.
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Memories
For our celebration we welcomed back former pastors, parishioners, religious sisters (who taught in the academy or were part of the pastoral staff), and many guests. We shared memories and recalled the rich history of St. Benedict.
Links to videos, audio recording and photo album are available below:
- Bishop Folda’s homily during Mass;
- Audio recording of Paul Richard’s presentation on the history of St. Benedict’s Parish;
- Photographs of Mass and the reception;
- Video of the the slide show photo history.
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Mass with Bishop Folda
Press the “Play” button to watch.
(Press the “Expand” button in the lower left to fill your screeen.)
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Slideshow
Slide show of historical photos (no sound). Press the “Play” button to watch. (Press the “Expand” button in the lower left to fill your screeen.)
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Audio Recording of history Presentation
Recording of the presentation of the 150 year history of St. Benedict’s Parish by Paul Richard. Press the “Play” button to listen.
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Photo Album
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Click/tap picture for large images. For more photos from St. Benedict’s, visit the Photo Albums page.
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Clergy
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Early Missionaries
Here is a list of some of the early missionaries who served the French traders and early settlers:
- Fr. Louis-François LaFleche (1844-1856)
- Fr. J.B. Genin (1865-1871)
- Msgr. Ritchot (1868)
- Fr. Simonet (1871-1877)
- Fr. L. Spitzelberger (1877-1879)
- Fr. Frund (1878-1879)
- Fr. Charles Richard (1880-1881)
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Early Pastors
- Fr. Athanase Bernier (1881-1884)
- Fr. William A. Kennedy (1884-1885)
- Fr. Alfred Vigeant (1885-1886)
- Fr. Athanase Bernier (1886-1891)
- Fr. L. Mailluchet (1892-1893)
- Fr. L. Vigeant (1892-1893)
- Fr. M. Barras (1893-1894)
- Fr. Joseph Leonard (1894-1895)
- Fr. A. Accorsini (1895)
- Fr. J.U. Sevigny (1896-1902)
- Fr. C.A.R. Fournier (1902-1904)
- Fr. John A. Lalande (1904-1935)
- Fr. August Mosel (1935)
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Recent Pastors
- Fr. J. Conrad Berard (1936-1959)
- Msgr. Allan F. Nilles (1959-1960)
- Fr. Maurice M. Mueller (1960-1965)
- Fr. Albert H. Binder (1965-1970)
- Fr. Tom Matchie (1971)
- Fr. A. A. A. Schmirler (1972-1974)
- Fr. Anthony Peschel (1974-1987)
- Fr. Daniel Pilon (1987-2006)
- Msgr. Brian Donahue (2006-2008)
- Fr. Jared Kadlec (2008-2020)
- Fr. Andrew Jasinski (2020-current)
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Other Clergy
Priests In-Residence
- Fr. Richard Lacorte (2003)
- Fr. Thaines Arlulandu (2008-2009)
- Fr. Kurtis Gunwall (2011-2018)
Permanent Deacons
- Deacon Clarence Vetter (2006-2021)
- Deacon James Hunt (2012-2014)
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