Warroad Houses of Worship Part V — The Northwest Catholic Parish

The Catholic Church has long since had a presence in this area. In 1689, Father Charles Mesaiger became the first priest to serve as a missionary to the region, especially around the Lake of the Woods. Mesaiger first went to Fort Michilimackinac before joining an exploratory expedition in 1731 from Grand Portage into the Lake of the Woods. The explorer he joined was the infamous Pierre Gaultier La Verendrye. Fr. Mesaiger became ill and eventually left for Montreal. He was replaced by a young Jesuit priest named Fr. Jean Pierre Aulneau, who served at the newly-erected Fort St. Charles on Lake of the Woods from 1735–36. Fr. Aulneau was one of the twenty-one men of La Verendrye's expedition massacred by Sioux tribesmen. The bodies were recovered and buried at Fort St. Charles, and the Fort remained mostly uninhabited for nearly two hundred years.

This grim tale shows the roots of the Catholic faith in the region, and although they never established a congregation in Warroad, their history is tied to the lake and the many explorers who traveled here. The earliest mentions of the Catholic congregation in Warroad comes from the Warroad Plaindealer around 1900. The desire to build a church appeared right away. In March 1903, a committee made up of Joseph Holland, Thomas Smith, and Eugene Guibault began purchased a lot in the Hallberg addition on the southeast side of the bridge (Warroad Commonwealth 03/20/1903). Fundraising efforts began quickly. One way they did this was by hosting a bazaar—the name of a Middle Eastern market—to sale goods for charitable reasons. The first bazaar in Warroad was in November 1903. It would continue to be a staple of fundraising at St. Mary's, hosting at least one a year.

Without a building, the earliest services for the Catholics in Warroad were held out of the Hotel Minnesota lounge area. For many years, services were performed by various priests traveling through the area, including the Reverend Father St. Amant of Pine Wood, Ontario, who frequently visited Warroad and the Catholic congregation. Finally, in 1904, construction on the church began (Warroad Plaindealer 07/14/1904).

Early Catholic Church, south of the bridge, early 1910s

It is unclear when or why the name St. Mary came to be. the diocese in Crookston states that prior to 1915, St. Mary's existed as a mission of Pinewood, Ontario, and is linked in some way to the Catholic organizations in Baudette, Pinewood, and Rainy River. Regardless of its origins, the name St. Mary's was considered the established name of the Catholic congregation as early as 1906, the same year the church was completed in Warroad. 

Lake of the Woods and the Angle became the sites of interest in 1908, when a group of Jesuit ministers relocated the lost Fort St. Charles and the bodies of the massacred exploration party. Around that same time, the Bishop of the Diocese of Duluth appointed Father August Beyne to the parish. Beyne oversaw the addition of a steeple to the church, giving the building a much distinguished look. Rev. Beyne remained in the parish for about three years before moving to Red Lake Falls to assume new duties there. During that time, he frequently stayed in the sacristy (preparation room). He was replaced by Rev. C. J. Deshais in 1911, followed about a year later by Rev. Dumoulin, and Rev. Fr. E. Bossus in 1913, during which time the church debts were officially paid off (Warroad Pioneer 10/13/1913).

The first full-time priest to lead the St. Mary's congregation came in 1915. Father Charles Trudeau was the first to reside in Warroad and lived in a home erected for him in 1915 with two stories and a full basement. Most of the priests who came through Warroad were in charge of multiple parishes, including those in Roseau, Baudette, Falun, and St. Jude's in Roosevelt. 

Rev. Fr. Charles Trudeau, center

Rectory built by Fr. Trudeau, still standing on State Street.

St. Jude's was built sometime between 1915–1920 by John Joseph Smrstik. At the time, the congregation was noted to include twenty families, many of whom attended services only when the roads were passable for horses, buggies, or sleighs. Lunches were usually served after the sermon, since many traveled far distances to attend the small parish. Services at this church were discontinued sometime between 1948–1950, though the building was reportedly still standing as of 2003. After its closure, most families attended Catholic services in either Williams or Warroad (Roosevelt, Minnesota, 1906–2006, Roosevelt Centennial Committee, pages 52–53). 

St. Jude's Church, 1930s

St. Mary's Cemetery, originally named the Holy Cross Cemetery until 1937, was donated to the church in 1915 by Bill Neal, although the church did not officially take over the land until 1919. The first burial there was recorded as Anastasia Thibideau on July 7, 1915.

Father Trudeau left the parish in 1917 to take over the Red Lake county parish; the position was taken up by Father Sam Beaulieu of Argyle, MN. Father Trudeau passed away in 1932 after catching meningitis from a routine medical operation. Fr. Beaulieu remained until 1920, whereupon Father C. J.  Deshais returned to Warroad from Fosston. 

In March 1922, Father Philippe came to town from Bemidji when Fr. Deshais left for Grand Forks. It was noted that before he came to Warroad, Fr. Philippe spent a decade as a missionary in the "south sea islands," likely referring to islands in the Pacific Ocean south of the Equator, off the coast of South America (WP 05/04/1922). He became a welcomed and well-known face around town, and his purchase of a 1925 Essex car was recognized on the front page of the Warroad Pioneer. He used the car to visit his congregation in their homes, travel to events and seminars, and even took trips down to the Twin Cities for events with friends from the community. He oversaw the purchase and construction of a new church roof in 1925, as well as the building of the rectory and and garage. In 1927, he purchased one of the American islands on Lake of the Woods, just opposite Flag Island and just southeast of Collins Island. 

Rev. Fr. John T. Philippe

St. Mary's continued to bring in donations for the local parishes, building renovations, and missionary work. In 1929, the reported salary of Fr. Philippe was $1,088.04, which today would be about $17,888. Throughout the early years of the Great Depression, the church faithfully operated for the good of the community in Warroad, Falun, Roosevelt, and wherever else in the northern region their congregation was needed. 

Warroad Pioneer 01/31/1929

In December 1935, Fr. Philippe conducted his final sermon at St. Mary's before the local diocese transferred him to Gentilly, MN. Rather that being upset at the news, St. Mary's reported that they were glad to see such "splendid recognition of the fine, unselfish service Father Philippe has given during his long tenure as a priest in this community," (WP 12/05/1935). Philippe passed away in 1960 at the age of 98. In his place came Rev. Fr. Louis E. Sullivan, a thirty-two-year-old pastor from Red Lake Falls. Fr. Sullivan jumped immediately into the fray of event and fundraiser planning at the church. He attended a whist party at the Oddfellows meeting hall, and the annual Catholic Guild supper which served 244 guests in the frigid Warroad weather in February. He hosted a card party in the Catholic rectory, and saw to the building of the parish hall adjacent to the early church building. 

View of parish hall, rectory, and church from State Street

In early 1939, Rev. Fr. Sullivan spent two months in the hospital, though the illness was undisclosed. He returned to the church in June, only to be transferred to Crookston to serve as a counselor in the parish there. He was replaced by Rev. Fr. Emmett Shanahan of Blackduck, MN in July 1939. Fr. Shanahan, in addition to his duties in the northwestern parishes, was also in charge of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps at Middle River and Blackduck. As the war in Europe became big news at the turn of the 1940s, Fr. Shanahan and the Ladies Guild worked to continue St. Mary's programs as usual. Dinners, benefits, and parties happened frequently. In October 1941, Fr. Shanahan was elected Secretary of the Warroad Commercial Club, giving him a position with the business community for promoting Warroad through tourism and the rise in immigration caused by the war (WP 10/30/1941). As of 1943, at least thirty members of St. Mary's church were enlisted in the Armed Forces, but still, the work of the Ladies Guild continued on. 

Fr. Shanahan even substituted for local teachers at the high school (WP 12/07/1944). An interesting letter in from J.H. Peschges D.D. of the Diocese of Crookston suggests that Shanahan's teaching might have caused friction within the Catholic community. Peschges noted that such a "secular pursuit" may fall outside of the acceptable duties of a parish priest. He went on to say that "serious complications might arise if any larger number of my priests became so clearly aware of unusual teaching ability and fabulous remuneration, but presumably the fame of your exploits will spread slowly and we may be able to forestall in the meantime any stampede to the teaching field," (J. H. Peschges, D.D., letter to Fr. Emmett Shanahan, 02/24/1944). 

Rev. Fr. Emmett Shanahan

In 1949, Fr. Shanahan also became involved in the restoration of Fort St. Charles in the Northwest Angle. That year, he began researching and writing his short book entitled Minnesota's Forgotten Martyr with the approval of Bishop Francis J. Schenk of the Diocese of Crookston. When members of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus began entertaining the idea of erecting a memorial site at Fort St. Charles, they were greeted eagerly by Shanahan, who wished to build a memorial church in Warroad in remembrance of Fr. Aulneau. The publication of Shanahan's book in August 1949 preceded the complete reconstruction of the fort from 1949–1950.

4th Degree Knights of Columbus at the dedication of the restored fort, 1951

Bishop of the Crookston Diocese at the dedication of the restored fort, 1951

The building of a new church for St. Mary's congregation was a plan that formed sometime between 1945–1949. The old building was becoming too small, and its wooden structure, mixed with its proximity to the river and the efforts to bring water and sewage to Warroad's southside made moving seem the best option. Very early on in the project, the church was called the Father Aulneau Memorial Church, something definitely of Shanahan's doing. The church purchased their new property in the downtown area in 1949, but the money for construction took longer to accumulate.

Fr. Shanahan began sending out copies of his book and letters to local diocese and parishes in an effort to procure donations for building the memorial church. Several frustrated letters passed between Shanahan and Bishop Schenk about the Crookston Diocese supplying funds for the building of the new church. Eventually, the diocese relented, but it took several years. There was also some problems with naming the church after Father Aulneau, since the man was not canonized, the church could not officially be named after him. Therefore, the congregation remained St. Mary's, but the church building itself became the Father Aulneau Memorial Church.

Countless hours of volunteer labor went into the construction of the new church. Architect Ursa Louis Freed graciously offered their services at no charge, designing a beautiful building to host the next generation of St. Mary's congregants. After two years of building, the church was completed in around the end of 1953 and was dedicated by Bishop Schenk in May 1954. The new altar was consecrated two summers later in July 1956. The church received a write-up in the Minneapolis Tribune along with the story of the martyred Father Aulneau. Shanahan became a go-to source for information on the man after many years studying his work and time on Lake of the Woods. The old parish hall was purchased by Hoy Hawley and Art Norman for the Nite Hawk, whose own building burned down in the fall of 1954.

Fr. Aulneau statue carved by Tony Capone

First service at the Father Aulneau Memorial Church

Appreciation for Father Shanahan's work in the community and church appears obvious through the newspapers. The Men's Club and Ladies Guild at St. Mary's hosted a dinner celebration in his honor in July 1954. The church members gathered together for a dinner, where Shanahan was presented with gifts and a social hour. In 1959, another open house at the church celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination as priest. By that time, he had served St. Mary's for twenty years. Sadly, in 1960, Father Shanahan was found dead of a heart attack in his study at the age of  52. 

Rev. Father Clement Cloutier arrived a few months later from Oslo, MN, where he was a priest for fifteen years. Cloutier had previously served as a Navy Chaplain during World War II, and later became a part of the Ninth District chaplain for the American Legion. He occasionally gave speeches and lectures at the American Legion and in front of the Boys and Girls Scouts on his service, chaplaincy, and flag etiquette. 

Rev. Fr. Clement Cloutier

In 1970, Fr. Cloutier suffered an undisclosed illness and was in the hospital for a while. He remained on sick leave through the end of 1970 and into early 1971. That same year, he was elected the first president of the Warroad Historical Society. In mid-1971, Cloutier was assigned chaplain of the Air Force Radar Station in Baudette, where he stayed until 1977. He retired from the clergy in 1980 and  passed away in 1987 at the age of 76.

When Fr. Cloutier took his sick leave, Father Eugene Wesley oversaw the position in Warroad and Williams. When Fr. Cloutier officially left in June 1971, Wesley received his assignment to the Blessed Sacrament Parish at Greenbush. At this point, Rev. Fr. Louis E. Proulx accepted the position at St. Mary's and St. Joseph's (WP 06/02/1971). Prior to this appointment, Fr. Proulx served for a few years at the Catholic parish in Warren, MN and the Terrebonne Mission in Red Lake County many years before that. 

The annual St. Mary's Bazaar continued to be a welcome presence within the church. In 1976, the theme was "Main Street, '76" and took place on November 20. 

Fr. Proulx retired from the priesthood in June 1977 to his home on Lake of the Woods. The parishes of St. Mary's and St. Philip's of Falun welcomed Rev. Dr. Arno Gustin in his stead. By the time he came to Warroad, Gustin was already in his 70s, having been born in 1906 in a sod house near Mandan, ND. He showed an aptitude for studies early in life was picked by professors at the nearby school to receive higher education. This farm boy attended school at St. John's University in 1929 with a philosophy degree. He entered the St. John's Benedictine service in 1926 and was officially ordained in 1933. He went on to complete his Master's degree in sociology at the Catholic University of American in Washington, DC and received his Doctorate from the University of Minnesota in 1945. 

Fr. Gustin served as the Dean of Students for St. John's Preparaory School from 1936–1940. During this time, he taught at St. John's University where he became the registrar in 1944. He followed this service up as Dean of Academics for the university in 1952 and officially became President of the college in 1958. As president, "he was responsible for restructuring the university's administrative services and expanding the Associate Board, the predecessor of the present-day Board of Regents," (WP 08/06/1991). He went on to serve as the president for Mary College (now known as the University of Mary) in Bismarck, ND from 1965–1970. 

Difficulties within the Crookston Diocese and many other Catholic parishes across the Midwest led Fr. Gustin to turn to the priesthood as a parish priest, rather than an academic. He joked to the Grand Forks Herald that "I was tired of committee meetings," (GFH 04/27/1980). He was sent to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Roseau and St. Mary's in Badger from 1972–1975, and then to Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Angus, MN from 1975–1977, whereupon he came to Warroad. He said of Warroad that "I think I enjoy this as much as anything I've ever done. Sometimes, there are more rewards. You might never know at a college of high school if people are getting your message."

Rev. Gustin upon his ordination around 1933

Rev. Dr. Gustin in 1980

In 1981, St. Mary's celebrated its 75th anniversary with a large celebration in its furnished basement. The church hosted Bishop Victor Balke for the mass, with servers (of Communion and other sacramental offerings) Mike Koenig, Tom Lien, Jon Cole, Chad Erickson, and Troy Brewster, and lectors (readers of the Bible) Rock Smith and Rose Hokanson. There was a big meal served to the congregation followed by a program of singing and music, and speakers on the history of baptisms, weddings, Communions, confirmations, and many other activities that took place over the last 75 years in the church. 

"Diamond Jubilee" Mass

Set-up for Diamond Jubilee celebration

Fr. Gustin celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination in 1983, only a few months before he left his post at St. Mary's. A lovely program of heartfelt well-wishes, laughter, and song occurred at the church in celebration of his achievements. He said he was retiring from parish duties to work on some writing projects and had "a feeling God has some other tasks for him, waiting!" (WP 06/08/1983) Fr. Arno Gustin died on August 4, 1991 at the age of 85 from injuries suffered after a fall. Fr. John Kleinwachter assumed the role of priest over the Warroad and Falun area in July 1983. Fr. Kleinwachter was ordained in 1977, with Warroad being one of the earlier parishes he attended to. 

Fr. John Kleinwachter

John Kleinwachter was born in rural Strandquist, MN, the son of a grain and dairy framer and a school teacher, Kleinwachter was the oldest of five children. He attended Crosier Junior College Seminary in Onamia, MN and graduated with a philosophy degree. He went on to the Catholic University of America, per the academic requirements for ordination. Kleinwachter served as the Associate Pastor in Moorhead, Thief River Falls, and Bemidji before coming to St. Mary's. In 1986, he ended his position as chairman of the Priests Council consultative body and took on a position with the Rural Life Director through the Crookston and Thief River Falls parishes (WP 01/08/1986). 

During his tenure as St. Mary's priest, Fr. Kleinwachter helped the church progress in many different areas. He began a preschool program in the church and formed a welcoming committee for new attendees. He saw to the building of a handicap accessible ramp for the church and put together the parish mission statement. He encouraged music within the congregation, started the Right of Christian Initiation of Adults program, began the BeFrienders ministry for peer communication, and established a local Knights of Columbus Council. He remarked in 1990 that "I thin kwe have to work very hard to make sure that spiritual life and values are appreciated and acted upon," (WP 06/26/1990). He left St. Mary's on July 2, 1990, and was assigned to the parishes at Hallock and Lancaster. Currently, Fr. Kleinwachter is the priest at Roseau, Badger, and Falun.

Fr. Pat Sullivan came to Warroad in late summer 1990. Fr. Sullivan was born in Hallock in 1952 and attended the Sisters of St. Benedict at Crookston and did two years of undergraduate studies at UND. After he was cut from the UND hockey team, Sullivan transferred to St. Cloud State and played hockey for the last two years of college, earning a recognition as All-American for the Western College Division. He graduated from St. Cloud State with a physical education teaching degree and then went on to play amateur hockey in France before he returned to Crookston in 1976, coaching hockey for two years at University of Minnesota, Crookston. In 1978, he returned to school at St. Meinrad's Seminary School in Indiana, receiving a degree in philosophy.

Fr. Sullivan was ordained in 1982. His first posting was at East Grand Fork's Sacred Heart School. He later assumed the position at the Holy Spirit Newman Center at Bemidji State University, a position he retained for six years. While there, he also served as pastor for three years at St. John's in Nebish, MN and another three years at Sacred Heart in Wilton. It was from Bemidji that he came to Warroad in the latter half of 1990.

In 1993, St. Mary's took part in World Youth Day, a day dedicated to Catholic youth who celebrated their faith by attending a visit with the Pope at a location in the United States. The event took place once every two years, and in 1993, it took place in Denver, CO. A group consisting of Heidi Babler, Dustin Black, Kate Harren, Katie Horner, Nickol and Tillie Hazelton, Kristina Heddan, Jackie Kliner, Sarah and Angie Muller, Stephanie Nichols, and Amy Stoskopf, accompanied by chaperones Jeri Horner and Pat Harren. The event was attended by nearly 300 students from the Diocese of Crookston, and they joined more diocese as they traveled further west. The group enjoyed a Passion play and theater performance on their journey before making it to Denver. The experience enjoyed by the group culminated in a stadium event featuring live music, dancing, and Pope John Paul II arriving in a helicopter outside Denver's Mile High Stadium (WP 10/05–19/1993). Later that same year, Fr. Sullivan took a trip to the Holy Land of Israel. His travels apparently helped him better understand the word of God and the path of Jesus across deserts and rivers in the first century AD. 

Mile High Stadium, Denver, World Youth Day, 1993

In 1994, Fr. Sullivan, Mary Anderson, and Ann Cole began St. Mary's Food Shelf, which supported 25–30 families each month. Because of space constraints, the Warroad Food Shelf was unable to stock enough fresh foods and frozen items. The Boy Scouts of America involved themselves in food collection for St. Mary's, going door to door to collect proceeds and supplies from the local community. Fr. Sullivan said: "The Pantry is here to help the people of Warroad. It's there to help them get over the troubled times. We don't want people to become dependent on us, but we don't want people going hungry, either." St. Mary's sought to fill the gap between paychecks, grocery runs, and families who just needed a little extra help each month. 

Fr. Pat Sullivan left St. Mary's for Red Lake in 1997. Between 2009–2021, he has been the subject of multiple abuse allegations. He was replaced by Fr. Duane Pribula from Oklee. Fr. Pribula grew up near Alvarado, MN with a family very involved in their local church. He decided to become a priest in the 1960s as a response to the Civil Rights Movement and attended St. Paul Seminary College. He graduated in 1966 with a philosophy degree and went on to do his post-graduate studies at the same school, graduating in 1970. He was ordained that same year and served variously in Badger, Bemidji, Benwood, Brooks, Crookston, Dilworth, Middle River, Moorhead, Oklee, Plummer, Roseau, Sabin, Strandquist, and Wilton. He helped seminary students throughout northern Minnesota as the Director of Vocations in Priesthood with the Diocese of Crookston. He also served as a local Director of Rural Life Ministries and supported the "Beginning Experience" program which offered support groups and counseling for individuals mourning the loss of a loved one. His most important role, according to him, was serving as governor for the Minnesota Social Justic Commission which promoted social justice and peace worldwide (WP 10/08/1997).

Fr. Duane Pribula

Fr. Pribula left St. Mary's in June 2001. His farewell sermon was followed by a ham supper prepared by the ladies of the church. He retired from the priesthood in 2013 and, as of July 2020, was reported to be serving as a sacramental minister at Riverview Place, a retirement community in Fargo (Crookston.org 07/14/2020).

Fr. Larry Weiseler moved to Warroad from Warren. He first entered the seminary in 1960 at the age of 24 and was ordained in 1969 after attending Crosier Seminary in Onamia and Resurrection College in Kitchner, Ontario. While he pastored at multiple parishes around Minnesota, he held his time in Venezuela the most dear. He spent sixteen years there after seminary school, building homes and other living accommodations there. He stated that some of his greatest achievements took place in Venezuela, from founding the Children's Center, which provided help for single mothers in the region (WP 08/22/2001).

Fr. Larry Weiseler, 2017

Fr. Weiseler only remained in Warroad for three years before he "retired" and returned the parish in Maracay, Venezuela. He was 70 years old at the time, but not yet ready to give up the work being done in that country. As of May 2020, at the age of 85, Rev. Weiseler is still listed as a resident priest to the missions in Venezuela (Crookston.org 19 May 2020). The Annual Fall Dinner on October 24, 2004 acted as the final send-off for Fr. Weiseler before he left the parish.

The parishes of Warroad, Falun, Williams, and Baudette welcomed Fr. Don Braukmann at the end of 2004. Fr. Braukmann described himself as "a simple farm boy from New York Mills." He attended St. Thomas University in St. Paul and received a degree in Political Science before receiving his Master's in Theology. He was ordained into the Catholic ministry in 1986 and served in Moorhead, Ada, and Greenbush before arriving in Warroad. According to him, "the greatest part of the job is the ability to step into peoples' lives," (WP 01/05/2005). 

Between 2004 and 2005, many congregants noting problems with the building on Roberts Avenue. Structural damage became a grave concern, as the logs which held it up were beginning to rot and water problems were creating mold that would soon become dangerous. The church's bathrooms and basement were inaccessible to wheelchair-bound individuals. The problems mounted as Fr. Weiseler began looking for a new alternative to the old log church.

Fr. Braukmann would continue this task into 2005, when the church finalized its decisions. Originally, they hoped to repair the old building and add more space for the growing congregation. However, the expected costs for renovating the old building were far too high. It was decided that a new building should be built to serve the needs of the community. The planned building would include room for 320 people with an overflow room. Classrooms, bathrooms, offices, and fellowship areas would all be on one level to allow easier access for those with disabilities. Fundraising for this endeavour kicked off in 2004. In late 2005, St. Mary's announced that it had purchased the land opposite the high school on Cedar Avenue. 

On May 7, 2006, St. Mary's broke ground on the new location. Building progressed throughout the summer and the church began preparing for their move across town. Meanwhile, St. Mary's celebrated it's 100th anniversary of serving the community. Over the weekend of August 26–27, 2006, the parish hosted a celebration dance at the Warroad Community Center on the 26th followed by Mass on the 27th. The church choir, formed especially for the event, sang Gregorian chant music for the service, a quilt made by the Piece Makers Quilt Group was presented during the service, and a meal followed (WP 07/19/2006).

In February and March 2007, teams of parishioners began moving items from the old building to the new. Among these items were those of historical value to the church, including the stained glass windows that would be set into the walls of the new church.  A hand-craved crucifix was also brought to the new building and suspended over the altar. Some congregants began putting together a time capsule of things from the church's 100 years of service in the area. One notable absence was the Father Aulneau statue that stood faithfully outside the log building. To date, no one seems sure what came of the statue or its current location. At approximately 16,200 sq. feet and a total cost of $2.1 million, the church was completed and opened to the public in May 2007. 

St. Mary's new interior

In July 2010, the old Father Aulneau Memorial Church opened its doors to a new clientele. The building had been renovated into eight separate apartments and one jacuzzi suite. The project was overseen by Scott and Mary Johnson of Scott Johnson Companies. Throughout 2008, the building was rehabilitated and treated for rotting wood and mold. The parsonage at the back of the church was renovated into a duplex. Then, in 2009, the exterior was renovated and a parking lot was added along the side of the building. Scott Johnson Company then renovated the sanctuary into six apartments. Throughout 2010, the building was updated for winter weather requirements and long-term use, including heated storage, an administrative office, and laundry room. The historic building, known now as St. Mary's Lofts, remains a residential building today. 

St. Mary's Lofts, 2022

Fr. Braukmann left St. Mary's sometime in August 2011. He went on to oversee the churches around Bemidji. While there, he also became the subject of allegations of misconduct. He was later diagnosed with ALS and passed away in 2019 at the age of 58. The vacancy in Warroad was taken up by Fr. August Gothman. 

Rev. Fr. August Gothman

Very little news about St. Mary's appears in the paper between Fr. Braukmann's departure and the arrival of Fr. Gothman. As quietly as he came, he left the community in 2015. At that time, Fr. Todd Arends moved to Warroad. Fr. Arend grew up in Moorhead and attended NDSU, intending to pursue a degree in History. At the time, becoming a priest was only a passing thought. His family claims four Benedictine nuns and three priests, so he was in good company. He decided in his junior year to transition into the priesthood. He transferred to St. Thomas in St. Paul and attained a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Theology. He served for three years at St. Joseph's in Moorhead before moving on to preside over Bemidji and Greenbush. In taking over the parish in Warroad, he also took on the priest's duties at Williams and Baudette. He stated that he never regretted his decision to join the priesthood. "Certainly there are tough days, but by and large, it's never been a thought of why did 
I do this. It's always been much more joy and fulfillment than any of the difficulties," (WP 10/20/2015).

Up at Fort St. Charles, 2016 saw the Knights of Columbus making the decision to demolish the chapel built there. "The present chapel was constructed of concrete logs over 60 years ago and has served us very well. Unfortunately, the logs have developed hairline cracks over all these years. These cracks have allowed moisture to get into the internal rebar, which is now rusting. The rusting rebar expands and is causing the logs to deteriorate. For the past 15 years, the maintenance work crews have fixed, patched, coated and done everything they could think of to prolong the life of the structure," (WP 09/20/2016). While a truly difficult decision, the board determined that with the right funding and opportunity, a new chapel would be constructed at the site as soon as possible. Construction on the new chapel began sometime in early 2018 and was completed in late September of that year (WP 10/02/2018).  

Chapel Demolition, 2018*

Construction of New Chapel, 2018*

New Chapel Interior**

Chapel Dedication Ceremony, 2019*

Fort St. Charles Exterior, 2019**

Fr. Arends left Warroad in mid-2019 for Barnsville, MN. In his stead came Rev. Fr. Andrew Obel, who currently serves at St. Mary's, St. Joseph's (Williams), and Sacred Heart (Baudette). Unlike the many priests who came before him, Rev. Obel did not come from the northern Midwest. Rev. Obel was born in Tororo, Uganda under the brutal dictatorship of Idi Amini Dada. Civil unrest was common, and any dissenters of Idi Amini's rule were assassinated. Rev. Obel was able to find some joy in his youth. He stated that "everyone in the community looked out for one another. In Africa, there was no nuclear family. Your uncles and aunts were like your parents. There was no word for cousin—everyone was described as a brother and sister." His father was a pharmacist and well-educated, meaning Obel was able to attend school, unlike many of his peers. At fifteen years old, Obel decided to attend a seminary high school, though he was unsure at the time if he wanted to become a priest. Schooling was quite expensive, and he relied on his sister, a doctor, for many of his later schooling expenses. His sister sadly died not long after and the cost of school was paid for by Obel's uncle who was also a priest.

He spent six years in high school and attended college in Gulu, northern Uganda. In 1996, Gulu was a hotbed of civil unrest between the Lord Resistance Army and the Ugandan government. Obel attended seminary school for three years under this pressure. He received a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies. He was then sent to New Orleans where he stayed from 2000–2004 (just missing Hurricane Katrina). He was ordained in 2004 in Tororo, Uganda. He stayed in Uganda for several years, working for the Archbishop of Tororo. He returned to the United States several years later, continuing his studies at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada. Here, he attained his Ph.D. in Church Law (also known as Canon Law). While in Ottawa, Rev. Obel met Fr. Joe Richards, a priest with the Crookston Diocese who invited him to Minnesota to continue gaining pastoral experience. 

Rev. Fr. Andrew Obel

Rev. Obel served in East Grand Forks, Thief River Falls, and Detroit Lakes before coming to Warroad. As of 2019, he was still a priest with the Archdiocese of Tororo, Uganda and only serving temporarily out of the Crookston Diocese (Seniorperspective.com 04/01/2019). The Heritage Center has noted from passing remarks that the congregation at St. Mary's is blessed to have Fr. Obel in Warroad, and hopefully his stay in Warroad provides him with the best environment to grow in his faith and career. 

St. Mary's 2017

* Photos taken from Fortstcharles.com

** Photos provided to the Warroad Heritage Center by Rick Skalsky

Thanks for checking out the Warroad Heritage Center blog! We hope you have enjoyed this story of St. Mary's Catholic Church and its neighboring parishes. Please leave a comment below with any memories of St. Mary's or corrections within the piece.

~Erin Thompson, Museum Manager