HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE HISTORICAL FACTS:

First church of St. Vincent was a little Mission Chapel built in 1888.

First Mass was celebrated Dec 1, 1888 by the Reverend John J. Lawler (he later became bishop of Lead South Dakota which eventually was incorporated into Rapid City Diocese).

The parish was formally established by Archbishop Ireland in 1889 when he appointed Reverend Laurence Cosgrove as its pastor.

On February 20th, 1891, the 2500 pound bell was blessed.

In July of 1897 ground was broken for the new church building.

In May of 1898, the church was officially dedicated starting with a parade from Rice and University.

In September of 1902 St. Vincent School opened....it was supposed to be large enough for an enrollment of 600 students! It was built by Butler Bros, at a cost of $40,000.00 (School enrollment declined in the '70s when Reverend Michael Foy was the pastor. It was eventually sold to a development corporation H.E.L.P. (Help Encourage Local Progress) on Dec 5, 1974 at a price of $45,000.00. This corporation, in turn, sold it to A.I.M. (American Indian Movement) and today it is known as THE LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE.

On Sept. 8, 1903 Confirmation was administered to 150 converts (10 nationalities were represented among which was Samuel Lung, a Chinaman thought to be the first Chinese Catholic Convert and probably the first in the entire Northwest. It also included 6 Indians (Native Americans) 4 Negroes, 7 Chinamen, 1 Gypsy, several Bohemians and one family of deaf mutes.

In the spring of 1925 the church was painted and decorated.

During 1951 - 1952 the church was remodeled to its present appearance much of the work done by parishioners under the supervision of Fr. Tom Exley.

In 1958 the present new front addition to the church was completed while Fr. Morgan was the pastor.

In 1995 the Parishioners of St. Vincent de Paul and Archbishop John R. Roach welcomed the Hmong Catholic Community in the Twin Cities

In 1996 Father Chue Ying Vang, the first Hmong Priest Ordained in the US by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis was appointed Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul

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