 |
|||||||||
 |
History of
St. Joseph's Church - Brooks, MN |
 |
|||||||
 |
|||||||||
|
In1916, Catholics of the Brooks area sought to establish a local parish. The first parishioners were from French Canadian Quebec, and there were Irish and Germans from southern Minnesota who came to Brooks to settle. Until this time Brooks was included in the parishes of Terrebonne and Lambert (Lambert later moved to Oklee.) Bishop Timothy Corbett, Diocese of Crookston, appointed Father Arthur Beaulieu as pastor of the newly organized parish.
F. J. Deymonaz and Max Perras, Sr. were elected as trustees at a general meeting held on August 16, 1916. Peter Champagne, Narcisse Robidoux, Sr. and Fred Berberich, Sr. comprised the Building committee. On October 14, 1916, they reported securing a location for the church building- property deeded to Louis Derosier in 1882 by the U.S. Government. Construction of the building at this site began in 1917 and was completed by 1919. Father Beaulieu's quarters were rented until a rectory was built. Serving on the building committee for a residence for the parish priest was Max Perras, Sr., Cyrille Lussier, Fred Berberich, Sr., Joseph Mercil, Joseph Carriere and Alex Doaust. The house was ready for occupancy in 1922. Parishioners contributed most of the furnishings of the home. At the time of Father Beaulieu's death in May 1929, Medor Mercil and Aime Lussier were parish trustees. Father Victor Cardin succeeded Father Beaulieu as pastor of the Brooks parish arriving in Brooks July 13, 1929. On December 8, 1930, Father C.J. Deshais succeeded Father Cardin. Father Henry Rousseau served as pastor from 1931 until he was transferred to St. Rose of Lima Church in Argyle in 1933. Father Louis Proulx was them appointed pastor of the Brooks parish. Willie Delage and Leon Deymonaz were trustees at this time. Father Henry Carriere succeeded Father Proulx as pastor of St. Joseph's parish on June 29, 1955. In the fall of that year, following the Episcopal Visitation of Bishop Francis J. Schenk, it was decided to build a new church building. A general meeting of the parish was held, plans ere drawn up and construction began July 29, 1956. Serving on the building committee were Leander Berberich, Frank Bruggeman, William Carriere, George Fournier, A.J. Parenteau, Sr., Peter Robidoux, Leon Sevigny and Joseph Thibert. Parish officers were Sam Generoux and Leon Mercil. Church services were held in the basement of the church until construction was completed. The corner stone was laid on March 4, 1957, and the solemn dedication with Bishop Schenk presiding was held on April 11, 1957. The structure, designed by Father Carriere, is truly a landmark for the village of Brooks and a tribute to the self-sacrificing of the community. Father Carriere was assigned the St. Rose of Lima parish in Argyle on June 1, 1972. Replacing him as pastor of Brooks was Father Michael Patnode. Father Patnode organized a committee to draw up a constitution of the parish council. The parishioners ratified the proposed constitution, and a nomination committee for the parish council was appointed. On July 31, 1972, Father Michael Patnode was transferred to Sacred Heart Parish at East Grand Forks. Father Larry Wieseler's was assigned to the Brooks parish. Serving on the parish council at that time were Leonard Boucher, Treasurer; Mrs. Marc Parenteau, Secretary; David Perreault, Chairman; Richard Delage and Wilmer Sevigny. The parishioners contributed to the labor of paneling the church basement and a Guild was organized and divided into four circles with Mrs. Marc Parenteau as President. Fr. Larry Wieseler remained pastor until 1981, when Father Laurn Virnig, a priest from the St. Could diocese, replaced him. In 1984 St. Joseph Church became a mission church attended by Fr. Felion from Oklee. "We Gather Together" was the theme for the mortgage burning celebration at St. Joseph's Church in Brooks on April 30, 1985. Pearl Laniel burned the mortgage with the assistance of Ron Paradis. Fr. Joe DeCrans was the pastor of Brooks in 1991 when there was some extensive remodeling done to the sanctuary area with the help of Arnie Paradis and several others from the community. Other priests who have served in recent years include Fr. Duane Pribula, Fr. Ott, and Fr. Joe Richards. In 1999, the St. Vincent de Paul Church in Plummer was closed and the community was merged with St. Joseph Church in Brooks. Fr. Tim Bushy, Pastor of St. Joseph Church- Red Lake Falls was named Pastor of Brooks in July of 2000. The parish plans to install a handicapped lift and do window repair work in the summer of 2003. |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
|
Brooks Parish Links
|
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
|
Serving the communities of
St. Joseph's of Red Lake Falls & Brooks Phone 218-253-2685 Mailing Address: FAX: 218-253-2195 All Rights Reserved |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||