Founded in 1852, St. Anne has been a beacon of faith in the community for generations. Its story began simply, with Mass celebrated in a private home by Fr. V. Sommereisen, the founding priest, who served until 1860. Despite challenges, the parish grew steadily, supported by visiting priests from neighboring towns. In 1859, planning began for a permanent church, and in 1864, the first church was completed on North Main and Dakota Streets. A major milestone was reached in 1880 when Fr. Maximillian Wurst became the first resident pastor, followed soon after by the opening of St. Anne School in 1882, entrusted to the care of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and later in 1902 to the Sisters of St. Joseph. The St. Anne legacy expanded with the establishment of Calvary Cemetery in 1884, where generations of parishioners have found eternal rest. The current church was built and dedicated in 1925, with statues of St. Patrick and St. Boniface placed at the entrance, honoring the diverse ethnic groups who worshipped here in the early days. A new school and convent were built in 1957 and are still in use today. Reflecting on this rich history, St. Anne honors the generations who built the community, and look forward to deepening the faith of all and service as St. Anne continues this journey.
