Phone: 651-429-7771 Fax: 651-429-9539
History
St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church and School has a rich history that dates back to 1873. The first mass was celebrated by Fr. J. H. Koop in the village school house. The parish began to grow and prosper not long after. Father Joseph Goiffon took the initiative to build the first church with his own hands and the help of his parishioners. He did not like the bids that would have cost his church more than he was willing to pay. The church was completed in 1881. The St. Mary’s parish community had an estimated 50 families at its very beginning.
The parish experienced a steady growth and Father Patrick J. Hart decided that the parish needed to add a school. The parish school would serve the likes of Catholics and non-Catholics. Roughly 200 students entered the school house doors on Sept. 10, 1914. Father Hart had asked the sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet to operate the school. Their serviceconcluded at the end of the 1977 school year.
As the years passed, the rich tradition of Catholic education engrained itself into the fabric of the community of White Bear Lake. The 1920’s brought expansion with the building of a new church. This project was in large part made possible by the daughters of James J. Hill. They built the church in memory of their mother Mary. Other building projects included the addition to the school in 1951. There were four classrooms, gym/cafeteria, library and a kitchen added. During the 1960’s the parish center was added to the school facility. The 1980’s also brought change to the church. The church was renovated and expanded to seat 900 by the end of 1988.
The 1990’s were marked by a commitment to the development of sound parish programs led by Father Roger Pierre. His dedicated service and view of the future led to the creation of Vision 2005. This vision called for the building of a vibrant future that was supported by a philosophy of a culture of prayer, participation and giving.
Vision 2005 was implemented by the 19th pastor of St. Mary of the Lake, Father Rodger Baumann. He led the way as the Parish Life Center became a reality. The school and parish facility expanded to include enough classroom space to house two sections of each grade level pre-K through the eighth grade. The facility expansion was accompanied by an increase in enrollment. Today, 344 students occupy the classrooms and hallways of St. Mary’s. The history of St. Mary of the Lake shows that the pastoral leadership and committed parishioners continually evaluate the parish needs. Prayerful discernment is often followed by action, much like that of the founding pastor Father Joseph Goiffon who literally built the first church with his bare hands and the commitment of his parishioners.
