St. Columbkille

St. Columbkille ... St. Wendel

     Even before the Diocese of St. Cloud was formed, the Mission of St. Columbkille was organized. It was then an outpost of the Diocese of St. Paul. The location of this outpost was called Maples after the beautiful maple trees that surrounded the area. The name of Maples was used for the area until 1945.

     The area was settled mainly by Irish and Scottish immigrants. It was in 1867, that these immigrants, realizing their need to have their faith nourished, sent two men to Abbot Rupert Seidenbusch OSB at St. Louis on the Lake (presently St. John’s Abbey) requesting the services of a priest. The first priest to come on a regular monthly basis was Father Augustine Burns, OSB. The Abbot sent an Irish priest to minister to the people of Maples.

     A church was constructed in 1877 on land donated by Coleman and Sarah Bridgeman. The cost was $1500. The church was dedicated on Nov. 4, 1877 by Abbot Alexius Edelbrock. The Benedictine Fathers served St. Columbkille parish for 23 years. When the Diocese of St. Cloud was established, this mission parish came under the jurisdiction of the local bishop and diocesan priests.

     The present church building is the result of several additions and rebuilding. While Fr. Peter Brenny was pastor (1911-1921) a 36 by 30 addition was made to the church and a small basement was dug for a hot air furnace. In 1927, the church was completely remodeled. New entrances with canopies were built in the front and the rear. The ceiling was vaulted and and arches built over the front and side altars. In 1934, the church was completely rebuilt and redecorated. It was raised 3 feet and a full basement put under it. Under Fr. John Kroll (1968 - 1980), the sanctuary was modernized with the altar facing the people.

            Today the parish has approximately 220 households of very mixed nationalities. We are a church where everyone is welcome. We are a tapestry that was started in 1867 and is still in the process of being woven. This tapestry will be more beautiful if you are part of it. We invite you and your family to become members of our parish family.

COLUMBKILLE ORGANIZATIONS

Trustees:

Claude Opatz                                     363-8160

Stacy Pierskalla                                 363-8187

Pastoral Council:

Peter Skaj                                           251-7564

Faith Formation:

Bev Riesner                                        363-7879

Choir:

Marie St. Marie                                  845-4845

Parish Secratary:

Carol Kuklok                                     252-9489

Prayer Line:

Esther Struzyk                                    251-4984

Kathy Wruck                                       363-8139

Christian Women’s Group:

Marilou Sommers                              363-4895

Parish Life Committee:

Violet Ritzer                                       363-8102

St. Theresa Mission Group:

Irma Huls                                            363-1466

Funeral Group:

Violet Ritzer                                       363-8102

Wendelette Homemaker Group:

Rose Ann Pflueger                            363-7891

Donna Kierzek                                   363-8810

Cemetary Committree:

Bernard Frie                                       253-4213

Pastoral Associate/Parish Administrator

Deb Rudolph                                    746-2449

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

St. Wendel Sportsman’s Club:

John Meagher                                     363-7419

St. Wendel Athletic Club:

Kevin Huls                                          363-4741

(Sponsor of summer youth program and amateur baseball teams.)