EARLY HISTORY > 1858 to 1899

1858 – First Mass celebrated in log chapel by Father Benedict Heindl and Minnesota becomes a state on May 11

1859 – First frame church built on land given to the parish by John Maertz

1862 – First parish wedding; Felix Logelin and Maria Blatz

1881 – Completion of first church (Still standing) First church building was converted into a two room school house

1882 – Large church bell blessed by Father Clementine Lorbacher

1884 – First school house burned down. New school and sisters house built

1885 – High altar blessed as well as the Stations of the Cross

1889 – Two side wings added to church

1897 – Benedictine sisters come to parish

PARISH HISTORY > 1900 to 1999

1908 – Franciscan Fathers move to Sacred Heart Church in St. Paul / Father Francis Jaeger became the first resident pastor / Parish was officially incorporated on November 2 / Current Rectory was built

1911 – First school building built on SW corner of church property

1915 – Church was lit with electricity for the first time

1919 – Father Charles Pfeifer becomes our Pastor

1920 – Father Valentine Shiffer becomes our Pastor

1920 – New convent is built after old one caught fire

1933 – Father Francis Heer assumed pastoral role and Father Jaeger moves to Mound church

1937 – Parish sold five-acre tract of land known as Baseball Park, north of Wildwood Avenue (Old Highway 7) to city for $1000 – Area is now known as Missile Park

1944 – Father Karl Joseph Wohlfohrt becomes pastor / Our parish KC Council is named after him

1947 – First church Wurlitzer organ paid for

1948 – First school is remodeled and repaired stage

1951 – New church floor installed / New furnaces for rectory and first school

1952 – Altars, rails, pulpit and statues painted

1954 – New designs to church with lights and railings

1956 – New false wood ceiling with foil and insulation installed

1958 – New confessional created by parishioner Paul Mader / Walls, sanctuary, choir loft and balcony renovated

1961 – Father Richard Schmitzer becomes pastor

1962 – New current school is built

1967 – Father Paul Slattery becomes pastor

1969 – Father Joseph Bender becomes pastor in March

1969 – Father Leo Dynes becomes pastor in June

1970 – Father Ed Grzeskowiak becomes pastor

1971 – Parish school closed due to lack of sisters and funds

1972 – School is leased to CHOICE

1977 – Father Robert Dobihal becomes pastor

1978 – Convent built in 1920 is sold and moved / Parish buys home on Elmwood Circle to house sisters

1991 – Father Robert Dobihal leaves in October

1991 – Father Michael Krenick becomes first pastor of both St. Boniface and St. Mary of Czestochowa near Delano

1993 – Father James Gorman becomes pastor / Parish no longer has a nun; youth minister is hired to run Religious Education (Faith Formation)

1994 – Deacon Steve Stickney comes to parish

1995 – Father James Livingston becomes pastor St. Boniface and St. Mary

1999 – Discussion begins on addition to church (Fellowship Hall)

PARISH HISTORY 2000 TO CURRENT TIME

2000-2001 – Father Livingston broke ground for Fellowship Hall and renovation of interior of church / Organ donated to church

2002 – New keyboard purchased for choir

2003 – Electronic bell ringer purchased by Father Livingston installed in church tower / Father Joseph Gallatin becomes pastor of St. Boniface & St. Mary

2004 – Parish rectory undergoes major renovation

2008 – Father Thomas Balluff becomes pastor of St. Boniface and St. Mary

2009 – On June 5 the Parish celebrated its 150th Anniversary with Archbishop John Neinstadt presiding

2013 – Father Joseph Quoc Vuong becomes pastor of St. Boniface and St. Mary

2017 – New sound system is donated in honor of Judy Schesso

2017 – New auto door opening system donated to church in honor of Paul and Angie Mader for west entrance to Fellowship Hall

2020 – Father Peter Hughes becomes pastor of St. Boniface and St, Mary

2020 – (March 19 and 20) Brand new custom-made church front doors (Facing main street) installed in honor of Wilbur and Agnes Thurk

March 2020 to February 2022 – Parish and nation deals with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions

2023 – Church Rectory Basement Remodel – Parish raised over $100,000 in less than a year and parishioners donated approximately $60,000 of skilled labor and materials to completely remodel the over 100-year-old Rectory basement for use as offices, meeting rooms, storage rooms and classrooms.

Click HERE or Link Below to See Photos and Information About Rectory Basement Remodel

Click Link > Rectory Basement Remodel (saintboni.org)