St. Margaret Catholic Church
605 Main St
Drake, McHenry County, North Dakota 58736
605 Main St
Drake, McHenry County, North Dakota 58736
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75th Anniversary
July 3-4, 1977
Drake, North Dakota
City of Drake founded by Mr. Herman Drake in the year 1902. We, in Drake are proud of our rural heritage. We are especially proud of our fine religious institutions and educational facilities and fine business establishments.
Celebrating our 75th Anniversary of the city of Drake and 60th Anniversary of the Drake Alumni.
Info from - back of the 75th Anniversary July 3-4, 1977, Drake, North Dakota plate
July 3-4, 1977
Drake, North Dakota
City of Drake founded by Mr. Herman Drake in the year 1902. We, in Drake are proud of our rural heritage. We are especially proud of our fine religious institutions and educational facilities and fine business establishments.
Celebrating our 75th Anniversary of the city of Drake and 60th Anniversary of the Drake Alumni.
Info from - back of the 75th Anniversary July 3-4, 1977, Drake, North Dakota plate
History of St. Margaret Mary Church
(The early part of this history was prepared by Father James Wehlitz, church pastor, for the 1952 anniversary of the city.)
The few Catholic pioneer families felt a great need of having Mass offered in their midst; therefore, in 1909, the first Catholic church was erected in Drake on the present site of the rectory, the site being in the Sendelbach addition and contributed by Leo Sendelbach.
They were served by a mission from Anamoose, first by Father Zumbush, then by Father Yunker. Their hardships were many and, with hardships of pioneer life, it was found necessary to discontinue services about two or three years later.
These were resumed in 1922 when the pioneers, under the leadership of Charles Creapo, made it possible. They were still being served as a mission from Anamoose with Father Eck then their pastor. He was followed by Father Wilkes m 1931.
Membership increased until the church was found to be too small. So, in 1941, with Father Wilkes as pastor the present church and rectory were built. On Oct. 17, 1941, Archbishop Muench of Fargo blessed the church and named it St. Margaret Mary. (Originally named St. Leo's in tribute to Leo Sendelbacb, the name was changed by ecclesiastic permission.)
It was then the church became a parish with St. Joseph's of Balfour as a mission. With untiring efforts by Father Wilkes and cooperation by parishioners, the church rectory was made possible. On May 18, 1943, Father Wilkes died. Rev. S. Heyl became pastor serving from June 1943 until September 1945, when Father Wehlitz came to serve the parish.
In July 1950 St. Joseph's at Balfour was separated as a mission and attached elsewhere. Thus St. Margaret Mary became a parish, enjoying a daily Mass and two Masses on Sundays and Holy days. This was necessitated by the great growth in the parish, which had doubled. School
children of the parish received weekly instruction during the school year and two weeks of summer school instructed by the Sisters of Presentation of Fargo.
Among pioneers are such names as Frank Kaufman, Charles Van Eeckhout, John Rutten, Leonard Paulus Sr., Matt Hamers Sr. and Jr., August Niederle, John Hanenberg, Leo and Henry Sendelbach, Frank and Louis Van Eeckhout, John and Frank Peerbaum, George Kruesal, John Ficker, Jake, Peter and Mike Anton, Thomas McLaughlin, Helen Stoefel and Nick Muss.
Father Joseph Axtmann, who succeeded Father Wehlitz in 1959, served the parish until 1976 when Rev. David Schmit, the current pastor, came to Drake.
Info from - Prairie Patchwork: A Collection of Anecdotes from Drake, North Dakota (pages 96 through 97)
(The early part of this history was prepared by Father James Wehlitz, church pastor, for the 1952 anniversary of the city.)
The few Catholic pioneer families felt a great need of having Mass offered in their midst; therefore, in 1909, the first Catholic church was erected in Drake on the present site of the rectory, the site being in the Sendelbach addition and contributed by Leo Sendelbach.
They were served by a mission from Anamoose, first by Father Zumbush, then by Father Yunker. Their hardships were many and, with hardships of pioneer life, it was found necessary to discontinue services about two or three years later.
These were resumed in 1922 when the pioneers, under the leadership of Charles Creapo, made it possible. They were still being served as a mission from Anamoose with Father Eck then their pastor. He was followed by Father Wilkes m 1931.
Membership increased until the church was found to be too small. So, in 1941, with Father Wilkes as pastor the present church and rectory were built. On Oct. 17, 1941, Archbishop Muench of Fargo blessed the church and named it St. Margaret Mary. (Originally named St. Leo's in tribute to Leo Sendelbacb, the name was changed by ecclesiastic permission.)
It was then the church became a parish with St. Joseph's of Balfour as a mission. With untiring efforts by Father Wilkes and cooperation by parishioners, the church rectory was made possible. On May 18, 1943, Father Wilkes died. Rev. S. Heyl became pastor serving from June 1943 until September 1945, when Father Wehlitz came to serve the parish.
In July 1950 St. Joseph's at Balfour was separated as a mission and attached elsewhere. Thus St. Margaret Mary became a parish, enjoying a daily Mass and two Masses on Sundays and Holy days. This was necessitated by the great growth in the parish, which had doubled. School
children of the parish received weekly instruction during the school year and two weeks of summer school instructed by the Sisters of Presentation of Fargo.
Among pioneers are such names as Frank Kaufman, Charles Van Eeckhout, John Rutten, Leonard Paulus Sr., Matt Hamers Sr. and Jr., August Niederle, John Hanenberg, Leo and Henry Sendelbach, Frank and Louis Van Eeckhout, John and Frank Peerbaum, George Kruesal, John Ficker, Jake, Peter and Mike Anton, Thomas McLaughlin, Helen Stoefel and Nick Muss.
Father Joseph Axtmann, who succeeded Father Wehlitz in 1959, served the parish until 1976 when Rev. David Schmit, the current pastor, came to Drake.
Info from - Prairie Patchwork: A Collection of Anecdotes from Drake, North Dakota (pages 96 through 97)