|
Church of Saint Anne |
|
1321Braman Avenue ¤ Bismarck, North Dakota ¤ 58501 701-223-1549 ¤ FAX 701-250-9214 |
|
History |
The parish of Saint Anne had its beginning in the summer of 1955, when a group of concerned parishioners of Saint Mary's Parish met with the pastor, Monsignor Robert A. Feehan, to investigate what could be done to alleviate the overcrowded conditions in Saint Mary School and Church. It was decided and approved by Bishop Lambert Hoch, to construct a new school on property at 13th Street and Braman Avenue, which had been donated by Mr. T. Clem Casey.
In the spring of 1956, plans for Saint Anne's were drawn up by architect, Bernard H. Hillyer. The facility was originally intended to be a mission of Saint Mary Parish. But, by the time construction was near completion, in the summer of 1957, bishop Hilary Hacker determined it more feasible to make Saint Anne an independent parish and named Fr. Arnold Spain as pastor.
The first Mass was celebrated in the school gymnasium July 7, 1957. Before long, four Masses were necessary to accommodate the new parish of 350 families.
The Sisters of Notre Dame, from Mankato, agreed to provide teachers for Saint Anne. The first six arrived August 20, 1957, and due to delays in construction of the convent, were housed in two classrooms until april 1958. The new school opened September 3, 1957 with and enrollment of 235 students.
By 1960, it become apparent that the Saint Anne Parish needed a church building. The school gymnasium could not accommodate the growing crowds that attended the Sunday Masses. Bernard Hillyar was retained as architect for the church. A modern church to seat 700 was designed and built and completed in 1961. The church is distinguished by the enormous south wall of glass, affectionately referred to as "God's Picture Window".
A Parish Center was added in 1980. the church interior was remodeled in keeping with the Liturgical Documents of Vatican II in 1984.
Presently, Saint Anne Parish is a thriving faith community of 1600 families, pastored by Fr. Edwin P. Wehner.
However, after all is said and done, parish is really about people, not buildings. Since the time that the first group of volunteers organized as Saint Anne Guild, the Parish of Saint Anne has been about the caring for one another as family.
In this sense God has truly blessed us.
Site by j greff design.
Hosted by Ecclesia.
Liturgical Art ©Virginia Broderick.