A Brief History of
St. Nicholas 

“At the turn of the century, 1900, when homesteaders came to this area, there were many Catholics among them.  The Irish came from Illinois and the Germans mainly from Minnesota.  They wanted a place to practice their faith and so began the plan of having Mass in the homes. Father Malo of Elbowoods, ND was one of the first priests in this area in 1903.  At one time Father Malo stayed with N. J. Mahowald for three weeks and visited the various Catholic families.  He baptized several babies, instructed children and adults and made the acquaintance of the people.  Thus, a new parish, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Blackwater, was organized in 1904.

On November 17, 1905 a meeting was held in Joe Reuter’s home near Garrison to consider having a church in Garrison.  Father Bonaventure Hansen, OSB, a monk from Collegeville, MN was the priest in this area.  The committee inquired about lots available in Garrison acquired several lots and committed to building a church.  With much donated labor and funding, a church was built, a frame building 60x32 at a cost of $1,970.  The first Mass was said on May 13, 1906 by Father Hansen.  He dedicated the church to St. Nicholas.

Father Hansen had about 25 mission stations in this area to oversee.  The Benedictine priests used Garrison as the center for their missionary work and needed to stay here.  A large parish house was built in 1906.  The building was made of brick with four rooms o the first floor, several bedrooms on the second floor and a turret in the southwest in the southwest corner, reaching to the third floor, with many windows.  At one time during World War II, this turret was used as an observation post for the Home Patrol.  George Mahowald spent many nights here watching for planes.
Visiting priests stayed in this large house and at times several children stayed here when they were being prepared for the sacraments.  Father Wervers, OSB, lived in Garrison from 1911 to 1923 when he attended his missions in Butte, ND; Max, ND; Douglas, ND; Ryder, ND and Plaza, ND.  The house cost $5,000.

In 1915, the parish discussed the need for a parochial school.  The first school was a two-room building, staffed by Benedictine Sisters from Elbowoods.  1n 1921 a combination school-church was built.  The new school was built of stone and cement.  It was a two-story building with the church in the semi-basement and three school rooms occupying the top floor.  There was also an office.  The parishioners hauled many rocks and poured cement for the thick walls.  Again, there was much donated labor.

When the new church school was completed, Cliff Ehlers, Joe Mahowald, Joe Reuter, Jr. and John Behles purchased the old church, moved it a block and a half to Main Street and made it into a theatre.  The Alhambre Theatre.
During the depression years not much building could be done.  Then came World War II and material was scarce.  In 1947, the parish was able to make plans for a new rectory and church.  The old brick parish house was torn down and the pastor moved into a modern rambler type house.

The present church was built in 1955.  It is an A-frame type brick building with wood accents.  Its cost was $160,000 and seats 300 people.  The basement will seat 200 and is used for dinners, meetings and CCD classes.  In 1999 sliding walls were installed, making several separate rooms for religious instruction.
Many innovations have taken place since the Second Vatican Conference.  Most of these changes have been withing the spiritual life of the church.

The Knights of Columbus and St. Ann’s Alter Society aid St. Nicholas Parish in many ways.  St. Ann’s is still functioning, having been started in 1914.  The Knights were founded in 1959.
The clergy needed relaxation and several priest had other interests.  Father Brandner was a dedicated farmer.  He raised purebred cattle and used his Belgian horses to farm, especially cutting hay.  He always wore cowboy boots.  Father Brandner was made a Monsignor in 1965.  He served Garrison for 29 years, the longest serving of any of the priests.  Fr. Ryan had a home at Strawberry Lake and loved fishing.  Several priests were golfers.

Father Francis Kalathiveettil . . . [2003-2007] . . . came from Cochin, Kerola, India.  He . . . first served at Williston, ND as assistant at the Catholic school and then coming to Garrison. [He got] used to the cooler temperatures and the cold winters [was] a challenge to him. He . . . [did] very well with the language change.
Father Terrence Carrol, OSB, was the Chaplainat the Garrison Hospital in the 1980’s.  He had worked for years among the Puerto Rican people in New Yerk City, NY and came to this area for a “restful retirement”. He lived at the hospital, helped Father Rushford at times and loved to go the . . . [Fort Berthold] Reservation to say Mass at White Shield.  He was loved by the Native American People.  He was 86 when he died.

Submitted by Dolores Staehr, April 2004
Garrison Centennial History Book Through the Years 1905-2005, 83-84.