Church of the Holy Rosary in Graceville

With the amazing interaction that this photo received when I posted it to the MNbump Facebook Page, I thought it would make a great first post for our newly added category “Photo Highlights”.  I was running early for a meeting that was in Graceville – so I took a quick loop to drive along the lake and with the gorgeous evening and calm waters who could resist stopping to take a quick picture of that view!  (Facebook Insights:  4,300 FB feed reach, 446 post clicks & 218 likes, comments & shares for this picture!)

This beautiful Church was erected during the pastorate of Father Michael O’Brien and was given the title of Church of the Holy Rosary.  In 1897, it was dedicated by Archbishop John Ireland.  The steeple was destroyed and other extensive damage done by a tornado in 1944.  Renovation and redecoration of the Church were completed during the years while Father D. Eichinger and Father D. Lehman were pastors.  (Information taken from the Big Stone County Historical Society’s “Big Stone County, Minnesota 1881-1981 book – Stop by the BSC Museum at 987 US Hwy 12 in Ortonville for everything historical in Big Stone County!!)

Link to the Church of the Holy Rosary Website

Carol Bauer has taken many amazing pictures of this Church, Graceville & Big Stone County – check out her Facebook Page.