Parish History

Church of St. Mary History

Since 1946, when preparatory work for our parish began, the grace of God and the spirit of the people of St. Mary's have led this parish forward to become a community of over 1000 families.  Through the efforts of 3 Bishops, 6 Pastors, 15 Associate Pastors, 2 Deacons, over 50 Presentation Nuns,  countless staff and parishioners, St. Mary Church flourishes. The generosity of our parishioners has made it possible to steadily add structures to our parish campus, to assist us in our mission of serving God and the people of God.  

Timeline of various facilities and how they were first utilized:

About the Exterior

The exterior of St. Mary's presents simple, austere lines. It's brick is warm-hued however, and the Winona travertine from the Biesanz quarries adds further to the beauty of the church.  The porch, pleasing to the eye and eminently useful; the simple majesty of the tower and it's bells; the reflecting pool and the statue of Our Lady add grace and beauty to the House of God. 

The floor of the pool presents an abstract mosaic of fish and nets, suggesting the continuing missionary effort of the church, for the apostles were told that they must be fishers of men. On the facade of the church are three crosses, initiating a theme that will be considered again within the church:  the Redemption.


Church of Saint Mary Immaculate Heart Vision Statement

We at St. Mary Parish are a community of Christians, in the Catholic tradition. We are called to hear and proclaim the word of God in word and deed by coming together to worship in faith, to share the Eucharist and to celebrate the sacraments.

Open to the Holy Spirit through life long spiritual growth and human development, we strive to live out this commitment by supporting one another in family, in parish life and in the community.

Together we build up the Body of Christ in love. We are invited by Jesus Christ to be his disciples and to follow Him. May the Lord Jesus who calls us together sustain us with His grace.