On Sunday August 16th the St. Rose of Lima Church hosted an ice cream social at the grounds of the restored church from 1 to 4pm. The celebration included a live music performance, a homemade quilt raffle, and a chance to reminisce with friends and neighbors.
Michael Wilmes presented a talk about the history of the church with interesting facts about the people and the community. The bell was ordered and shipped from the east coast and came down the Atlantic seacoast, up the Mississippi River and lastly by land from Red Wing to Pine Island and then to the church property. It weighed 3,000 pounds and was hoisted up into the belfry by block and tackle. Around 1976 someone attempted to steal the bell and dropped it from the bell tower onto the ground. It was located a few years later and recovered without any damage from the theft. It was then installed in the current location in the cemetery behind the church.
Another story involved a railroad worker who was killed in an accident on the railroad in the area during the latter 1800’s. There was no identification or information as to who he was or where he came from. Without family or next of kin to notify, the people of the church gave him a burial, even though unidentified. It speaks to the hard-working settlers who would gladly care for one they didn’t know and give him a dignified burial.
St. Rose was built in 1878 by Irish Catholic immigrants who came to America in search of a better life. These immigrants eventually settled in Cherry Grove Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota. They built St. Rose of Lima using native limestone and trade skills from their homeland. St. Rose is emblematic of the pioneer experience and of an ethnic community coming to America and retains fundamental integrity to convey and express its significance as a wholly unaltered tangible piece of immigrant pioneer history.
The first Mass is held in St. Rose of Lima church in December of 1878. The last Mass was held on June 4, 1961. After that the building fell into disrepair over the years until in 2002 the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota places St. Rose on Minnesota's 2002 Ten Most Endangered Historic Properties list. In June of that year a group of interested people met to explore the possibility of saving the structure. The group formed a non-profit organization and purchased the property on October 17, 2003. The first candle lighting ceremony was held on December 20th of that year. In March of 2005 a new cedar shingled roof was installed and in July a twenty-five car parking lot was added. On August 20th over 250 people attended the first ice cream social on the grounds of St. Rose. In September the first wedding since 1960 was held in the church. In November of 2007 a new furnace was installed and restoration of the ceiling began in June of 2008. By December 2009 the stained glass windows had been completely restored and replaced. In 2010 the original organ was donated and returned. In 2018 a 140th Anniversary book was published. In 2021 an additional 1.6 acres of land was donated to expand the parking lot.
St. Rose of Lima is available for events fitting of a church and for the purpose of educating future generations about historic preservation. The Friends of St. Rose, Inc., host several annual events. These events offer a warm environment and unique experience, harkening of days gone by, allowing friends and family to gather inside this historic rural limestone church.
