St. Jude's Church
329 Broadway Street
Thompson, Grand Forks County, North Dakota, 58278
329 Broadway Street
Thompson, Grand Forks County, North Dakota, 58278
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The history of the Catholic faith in the vicinity of Thompson goes back to the years between 1878-1880, with the arrival of the first Catholic families at Thompson. Among the outstanding pioneers settling here during this period were Michael Donovan, James McMenamy, Jacob Lesman, Nick and Frank Simon, and Peter and Fred Weber. Among the first missionary priests to administer to the needs of Thompson was Father Vincent Wehrle.
In 1887, Father Connaty became pastor of St. Michael's Church at Grand Forks and was given jurisdiction over the territory of Thompson, which, at this time, was considered not as a parish, but rather as a station.
In 1891, they built their first church just south of town in what is now known as the coulee. The little church was a small building about twenty feet wide and about forty feet long. The furniture of the church was all made locally. In 1902, it was completely demolished by a cyclone. Father Geraghty was their priest at this time. He immediately called a meeting of the parishioners, and the present site was chosen. At this meeting, Fred Weber was selected as a trustee and remained treasurer for many years to come.
The new church was blessed by Bishop Shanley in May 1904. It had a seating capacity of approximately two hundred persons. We are told that Thompson at that time had only 24 families.
When Father Geraghty left Thompson and Reynolds in December 1904, he was succeeded by Father Stephen Landolt. It was he who kept separate baptismal records for Thompson. The first such record noted by Father Landolt is that of Cecilia Turcotte who was baptized on June 14, 1908. The first marriage recorded in Thompson is that of Leon Revoir and Margaret Anglesburg entered November 17, 1908, by Father Koelman
who succeeded Father Landolt.
Father Meyer came to Reynolds and Thompson in the fall of 1915. Several assistants served under him and took care of Thompson during his pastorate.
Records show that in May 1920, Thompson became an independent parish with Father J. J. Harrington as their first resident priest. A rectory was purchased and remodeled.
Father Harrington remained as pastor of Thompson for only two years and was succeeded by Father M. J. Hart in June 1922. Father Hart remained as pastor of St. Jude's for six months and then was followed by Father Reddin in October of 1922. Father Reddin's stay at Thompson was marked by several parish picnics and bowery dances that will long be remembered by the elders of the parish. He left Thompson in March of 1926.
Father Lamy took Father Reddin' s place but remained only a short time.
Father Victor Wasko came to Thompson in November 1926, to take the place of Father Lamy and left in April of 1928.
Father McArdle, Father Cullen, Father Cory, Father McGee, and Father Hebert succeeded Father Wasko during the years 1932-1940.
Father Lawrence Ryan came to Thompson to fill the vacancy of Father Hebert in 1940. He remained in Thompson for just a little over one year but will be remembered for his planning and guiding of the big Fourth of July picnic sponsored by the church.
In December 1941, shortly after Pearl Harbor, Father Paul Koehler arrived in Thompson and remained here for fourteen years. During his stay in Thompson a new rectory was built and many improvements in the church were made.
Father Mikolofsky came to Thompson after Father Koehler in 1955 and remained in Thompson for two years. When Father Mikolofsky left Thompson in 1957, he was followed by Father Robert Mullins, who remained in Thompson for eleven years. It was Father Mullins who did the overseeing of the building of our new church. The old church was torn down in the spring of 1963. During the construction of our new church, we attended church in the gymnasium of the school. The new church was dedicated on December 8, 1963, by Bishop Dvorschak of Fargo. That day, many little seven year olds made their First Communion. Kimberley West was the first baby baptized in September of 1963, and according to records, Richard Miller and Bertha Tweet on October 5, 1963, were the first people married in the new church.
During Father Mullins' stay in Thompson, he not only had full charge of the Thompson parish but taught a class at the University of North Dakota each day, as well.
Father Branconnier arrived in Thompson during the winter of 1969, and remained here for one year. Father Conley had charge of the parish during the year 1970-71, while he attended classes at the University.
In June 1971, Father Knoke became our pastor. He is pastor of both Thompson and Reynolds but makes his home in Reynolds.
Thompson has only one person who has had religious vocation. Sister Pauline Marie (Bernice Huard) entered the convent of the Sisters of Presentation and is now cooking at Maryville, near Valley City, North Dakota.
The Thompson ladies have always had parochial societies. It was first known as the St. Jude's Altar Society and now as the Christian Mothers.
The first minutes of the Altar Society bear the date of September 27, 1925, when Mrs. Christina Simon was president, Mrs. L. C. Fralich was vice-president, and Mrs. J. J. Simon was secretary treasurer. Our present president of the Christian Mothers is Mrs. Paulette Lemar, president, Mrs. Marie Ackerman, vice-president, and secretary treasurer, Mrs. Lawrence Weber.
Presently, we have a religious education committee who oversees our weekly C.C.D. program. Volunteer personnel from within the parish teach, and on occasion outside speakers are brought in. Last summer three diocesan Sisters and a few lay people taught C.C.D. classes K through 6 for one week.
Twelve people, including Father Knoke, form a council who are in charge of the business of the parish.
The Catholic Church at Thompson has had a long and interesting history. It still remains an active church today, striving to meet and serve the needs of the people of the parish.
Father Lawrence Ryan arrived in the fall of 1940 and remained for just a little more than a year, but during that time his warm smile won many friends. Perhaps the biggest social event that was ever undertaken either in St. Jude's parish or in Thompson was the Fourth of July picnic, planned and executed by Father Ryan. Let us allow one of the parishioners to describe this memorable event:
"In the early part of May 1941, ten men of St. Jude's parish met at the rectory with Father Lawrence Ryan. Their object was to lay the foundation of what was to be one of the major undertakings of the parish. Under the able direction of Father Ryan, plans were formulated, meetings were held every week, and various committees
were appointed to carry out the numerous details incident to such an undertaking.
"The two days prior to the celebration were spent making our village ready for the scene to be enacted. Booths were constructed and decorated in suitable colors, the main street was roped off, and an amplifying system was procured. In these phases of the work and in many others too numerous to mention, fine, full cooperation was received from all the businessmen as well as from the parish members.
"The morning of the Fourth dawned clear and beautiful. Everyone was at his post bright and early. The many attractions of the day began at 10 A.M. with the parades. Leading it was one of the parish boys dressed as Uncle Sam. The Holmes Community band in white uniforms followed. A series of floats contrasted former methods of transportation with our modern method. A second group of displays was furnished by the businessmen of Thompson. Others who participated were the American Legion, the Boys Scouts, the Kitchen Band and the Thompson Primary Rhythm Band. A float bearing the Statue of Liberty depicted by a parish girl concluded the procession.''
"Immediately following the parade all concessions were opened to the public. Throughout the afternoon and evening the ladies of the parish served lunch. Frank J. Webb of Grand Forks was the guest speaker of the afternoon. Other afternoon attractions were a band concert, various races, and a wrestling match."
"A beautiful display of fireworks, donated by Thompson businessmen initiated the evening's entertainment. Many enjoyed a dance held at the Community Hall. The awarding of $25.00 closed the day's activities."
This story is a record not only of that memorable July 4, 1941, in Thompson; it is also an example of the quality of the harmony and cooperation in St. Jude's parish and the community of Thompson.
Info from - Memories of Yesterday Thompson Centennial 1881-1981 (pages 52, 53, 54)
In 1887, Father Connaty became pastor of St. Michael's Church at Grand Forks and was given jurisdiction over the territory of Thompson, which, at this time, was considered not as a parish, but rather as a station.
In 1891, they built their first church just south of town in what is now known as the coulee. The little church was a small building about twenty feet wide and about forty feet long. The furniture of the church was all made locally. In 1902, it was completely demolished by a cyclone. Father Geraghty was their priest at this time. He immediately called a meeting of the parishioners, and the present site was chosen. At this meeting, Fred Weber was selected as a trustee and remained treasurer for many years to come.
The new church was blessed by Bishop Shanley in May 1904. It had a seating capacity of approximately two hundred persons. We are told that Thompson at that time had only 24 families.
When Father Geraghty left Thompson and Reynolds in December 1904, he was succeeded by Father Stephen Landolt. It was he who kept separate baptismal records for Thompson. The first such record noted by Father Landolt is that of Cecilia Turcotte who was baptized on June 14, 1908. The first marriage recorded in Thompson is that of Leon Revoir and Margaret Anglesburg entered November 17, 1908, by Father Koelman
who succeeded Father Landolt.
Father Meyer came to Reynolds and Thompson in the fall of 1915. Several assistants served under him and took care of Thompson during his pastorate.
Records show that in May 1920, Thompson became an independent parish with Father J. J. Harrington as their first resident priest. A rectory was purchased and remodeled.
Father Harrington remained as pastor of Thompson for only two years and was succeeded by Father M. J. Hart in June 1922. Father Hart remained as pastor of St. Jude's for six months and then was followed by Father Reddin in October of 1922. Father Reddin's stay at Thompson was marked by several parish picnics and bowery dances that will long be remembered by the elders of the parish. He left Thompson in March of 1926.
Father Lamy took Father Reddin' s place but remained only a short time.
Father Victor Wasko came to Thompson in November 1926, to take the place of Father Lamy and left in April of 1928.
Father McArdle, Father Cullen, Father Cory, Father McGee, and Father Hebert succeeded Father Wasko during the years 1932-1940.
Father Lawrence Ryan came to Thompson to fill the vacancy of Father Hebert in 1940. He remained in Thompson for just a little over one year but will be remembered for his planning and guiding of the big Fourth of July picnic sponsored by the church.
In December 1941, shortly after Pearl Harbor, Father Paul Koehler arrived in Thompson and remained here for fourteen years. During his stay in Thompson a new rectory was built and many improvements in the church were made.
Father Mikolofsky came to Thompson after Father Koehler in 1955 and remained in Thompson for two years. When Father Mikolofsky left Thompson in 1957, he was followed by Father Robert Mullins, who remained in Thompson for eleven years. It was Father Mullins who did the overseeing of the building of our new church. The old church was torn down in the spring of 1963. During the construction of our new church, we attended church in the gymnasium of the school. The new church was dedicated on December 8, 1963, by Bishop Dvorschak of Fargo. That day, many little seven year olds made their First Communion. Kimberley West was the first baby baptized in September of 1963, and according to records, Richard Miller and Bertha Tweet on October 5, 1963, were the first people married in the new church.
During Father Mullins' stay in Thompson, he not only had full charge of the Thompson parish but taught a class at the University of North Dakota each day, as well.
Father Branconnier arrived in Thompson during the winter of 1969, and remained here for one year. Father Conley had charge of the parish during the year 1970-71, while he attended classes at the University.
In June 1971, Father Knoke became our pastor. He is pastor of both Thompson and Reynolds but makes his home in Reynolds.
Thompson has only one person who has had religious vocation. Sister Pauline Marie (Bernice Huard) entered the convent of the Sisters of Presentation and is now cooking at Maryville, near Valley City, North Dakota.
The Thompson ladies have always had parochial societies. It was first known as the St. Jude's Altar Society and now as the Christian Mothers.
The first minutes of the Altar Society bear the date of September 27, 1925, when Mrs. Christina Simon was president, Mrs. L. C. Fralich was vice-president, and Mrs. J. J. Simon was secretary treasurer. Our present president of the Christian Mothers is Mrs. Paulette Lemar, president, Mrs. Marie Ackerman, vice-president, and secretary treasurer, Mrs. Lawrence Weber.
Presently, we have a religious education committee who oversees our weekly C.C.D. program. Volunteer personnel from within the parish teach, and on occasion outside speakers are brought in. Last summer three diocesan Sisters and a few lay people taught C.C.D. classes K through 6 for one week.
Twelve people, including Father Knoke, form a council who are in charge of the business of the parish.
The Catholic Church at Thompson has had a long and interesting history. It still remains an active church today, striving to meet and serve the needs of the people of the parish.
Father Lawrence Ryan arrived in the fall of 1940 and remained for just a little more than a year, but during that time his warm smile won many friends. Perhaps the biggest social event that was ever undertaken either in St. Jude's parish or in Thompson was the Fourth of July picnic, planned and executed by Father Ryan. Let us allow one of the parishioners to describe this memorable event:
"In the early part of May 1941, ten men of St. Jude's parish met at the rectory with Father Lawrence Ryan. Their object was to lay the foundation of what was to be one of the major undertakings of the parish. Under the able direction of Father Ryan, plans were formulated, meetings were held every week, and various committees
were appointed to carry out the numerous details incident to such an undertaking.
"The two days prior to the celebration were spent making our village ready for the scene to be enacted. Booths were constructed and decorated in suitable colors, the main street was roped off, and an amplifying system was procured. In these phases of the work and in many others too numerous to mention, fine, full cooperation was received from all the businessmen as well as from the parish members.
"The morning of the Fourth dawned clear and beautiful. Everyone was at his post bright and early. The many attractions of the day began at 10 A.M. with the parades. Leading it was one of the parish boys dressed as Uncle Sam. The Holmes Community band in white uniforms followed. A series of floats contrasted former methods of transportation with our modern method. A second group of displays was furnished by the businessmen of Thompson. Others who participated were the American Legion, the Boys Scouts, the Kitchen Band and the Thompson Primary Rhythm Band. A float bearing the Statue of Liberty depicted by a parish girl concluded the procession.''
"Immediately following the parade all concessions were opened to the public. Throughout the afternoon and evening the ladies of the parish served lunch. Frank J. Webb of Grand Forks was the guest speaker of the afternoon. Other afternoon attractions were a band concert, various races, and a wrestling match."
"A beautiful display of fireworks, donated by Thompson businessmen initiated the evening's entertainment. Many enjoyed a dance held at the Community Hall. The awarding of $25.00 closed the day's activities."
This story is a record not only of that memorable July 4, 1941, in Thompson; it is also an example of the quality of the harmony and cooperation in St. Jude's parish and the community of Thompson.
Info from - Memories of Yesterday Thompson Centennial 1881-1981 (pages 52, 53, 54)