The Seeds of a Catholic Community in Austin...
Saint Augustine History | Queen of Angels History | Saint Edward History

In June 1857, a committee was formed of Catholic residents in and around the present Austin area to establish the Catholic Church in the new community.  The first Mass was celebrated in this section of Minnesota Territory on November 2, 1857.  Services were held sporadically in the area during 1859 and 1860.  Beginning in 1861, Reverend George Keller of Faribault visited Austin many times, often ministering in private homes. 

Saint Augustine Catholic Church
The first church building was completed in November 1866 and was dedicated by Bishop Thomas Grace on June 15, 1868. The existing church was completed in the fall of 1896 and was dedicated by Bishop Cotter on Thanksgiving Day of that same year. An extensive remodel of the church interior was completed in 1962. The primary church steeple and bell tower were destroyed by fire as a result of a lightening strike on June 10, 1976. In 2003, St. Augustine was clustered with the parish of St. Edward with Reverend Joseph Fogal serving as pastor. Today, the parish of St. Augustine is served by over 1,200 families and individuals. 

St. Augustine Catholic Church (circa 1895)

The original church, dedicated in 1868, is located in the left corner of the photo.  The "new" church was completed in 1895.  The original church was torn down soon after this picture was taken.

(Photo courtesy of Austin Daily Herald and Harold Rochford).


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Queen of Angels Catholic Church
On August 14, 1936, Father Donald A. Cunningham was commissioned to establish a new parish on Austin’s east side. The first parish Mass was celebrated on November 1, 1936, in Columbus School. An interim chapel, the present Queen of Angel’s school gym, was built for temporary use until the church, already being designed, could be financed and constructed. Ground breaking for the parish church took place on August 15, 1954 with the cornerstone being laid and blessed on May 22, 1955. March 31, 1956 the parish celebrated the Easter Vigil and first Mass in the present edifice. Queen of Angels Church was dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God, by Bishop Edward A. Fitzgerald, on May 19, 1957. The sanctuary was remodeled along with repair to the roof from the fire in 1972. In October of 2003, Fr. Dale Tupper became the 9th pastor of Queen of Angels Church, which currently serves over 800 families and individuals.

  Queen of Angels Catholic Church (today)

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Saint Edward Catholic Church
St. Edward Catholic Church was established by decree of Pope John XXIII in 1960 and was named St. Edward’s in honor of Monsignor Edward Devlin, who for many years served as the only priest in Austin. Rev. Dan Corcoran arrived in July 1960; the first weekday mass was soon held in the basement of Sterling State Bank, the first Sunday mass was held in the Sterling Theater. The existing church was completed in May 1963 and was dedicated by Diocese of Winona Bishop Edward Fitzgerald. In 2003, St. Edward was clustered with the parish of St. Augustine with Reverend Joseph Fogal serving as pastor. Today, the parish of St. Edward is served by over 400 families and individuals, some of which are the original charter members.

St. Edward Catholic Church (today)

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