St. Gregory the Great in North Branch started with a few rural families, mostly Polish. These settlers brought their Catholic faith with them and long beforethere was a church, they would meet in homes to pray together. Priests were gladly welcomed in North Branch whenever they came to celebrate Mass and
administer the sacraments. In 1874, a new mission parish of St. Gregory the Great was founded and served first by Sacred Heart in Rush City and later by St. Bridget in Lindstrom. In 1900, St. Joseph Cemetery was established. In 1903, a small frame church was built near 10th and Maple. In 1942, the church was badly damaged by fire. Because of World War II and the lack of funds, only the
basement of the newly planned church was completed. The present church was finally built in 1962 and the parish hall was added in 1981. In 2012, it was clustered with Sacred Heart in Rush City. The sanctuary was expanded and renovated in 2016.
