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* 1875 - The Church of the Immaculate Conception, later known as the Church of St. Mary, is built at the corner of Main Avenue and Mandan Street in Bismarck. Fr. John Baptiste Marie Genin (pictured right) was the builder of the original St. Mary's Church.* 1877 - St. Mary's is officially established as a parish, after receiving a resident pastor, Fr. Chrysostom Foffa.
* 1878 - St. Mary's Academy is begun. The school is the building on the left in the picture.* 1896 - Fr. Clement Dimpfl arrived in Bismarck and served St. Mary's Parish from 1896-1911. He was the last Benedictine priest to serve as pastor. He pursued purchasing land at 8th Street and Broadway Ave.
* 1897 - The foundation for the new church was laid.
* 1898 - The church, built for a cost of $12,000, was dedicated on September 25 by Bishop Shanley.
* 1908 - St. Mary's School was constructed on 9th Street and Broadway for $25,000.
*1910 - Diocese of Bismarck is established St. Mary's as the Pro-Cathedral. This title was held until the construction of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in 1945.
*1911-1923 - Fr. M.J. Hiltner served St. Mary's Parish.
* 1918 - The rectory is built for priests' residences. Today it holds the offices of our parish staff.
* 1927 - St. Mary's Parish, under the tenure of Fr. John Slag (pictured to the right), celebrated its Golden Jubilee.
* 1933-1981 - Msgr. Robert Feehan (pictured to the left) served the parish.
* 1971 - The remodeled church was blessed on July 11 during a Mass with Bishop Hilary B. Hacker.
* 1977 – The present-day school (shown right) and parish center were constructed to include nine classrooms, a library, office and parish multi-purpose gym and parish hall.
* 1981-1988 – Fr. Theodore Gustin served as pastor.
* Early 1990s – The church was refurbished to restore it to the original gothic architecture under the direction of Fr. Charles Heidt (1988- 2003).* 1998 – The Centennial of the existing church at 8 th Street and Broadway was celebrated.
* 2003 – St. Mary’s Parish completed renovation, under the direction of Fr. Heidt, of the priest’s residence, gathering space, multi-purpose space and music/art room, handicapped access to the parish offices, and restrooms. Fr. Bruce Krebs joins the parish as pastor (pictured at right).
* 2007 - 2018 Fr. Gene Lindemann, a native of Dickinson, begins his pastorate at St. Mary’s Parish. Fr. Lindemann received the title Monsignor in 2013 by Pope Benedict upon the recommendation of Bishop David Kagan.
* 2018- Fr. Jared Johnson, a native of Williston, is appointed as the pastor of St. Mary’s Parish.
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Then and Now...
46 Photos
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