ST THEODORE

In the late 1860's and eary 1870's the Catholic people of Albert Lea were served by priests who came from other parts of Minnesota. In 1875, Fr. Theodore Venn established his residence at St. Mary, Wisner's Grove and became the first pastor to make regular visits to Albert Lea. Through his leadership, the Catholic families of the Albert Lea vicinity built the first St. Theodore Church, which was dedicted on September 9, 1877. Father Peter Daignault became the first resident pastor to Albert Lea and its missions... In September 1887, Father James Donovan, a guiding force at St. Theodore for almost 46 years, arrived as its pastor. On April 30, 1892, construction was begun on the new church. Mass was celebrated there for the first time on Novmber 20, 1892, and it was formally dedicated by Bishop Joseph Cotter on may 9, 1893.

Primary location: Albert Lea United States