The Cradle of the Institute of Missionary Franciscan Sisters

The Foundation of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in 1872

After travelling from Tenafly, New Jersey across five other States I crossed the State Line into Minnesota. This was the beginning of my Pilgrimage to follow in the footsteps of Elizabeth Hayes (Mary Ignatius) our Foundress.

I visited Stillwater which is the birthplace of Minnesota, founded in 1843. Not too many years before Elizabeth arrived in  Belle Prairie.

These are the Paddle Boats along the banks of the St Croix River at Stillwater. It is interesting that Belle Prairie was first named by the French-Canadian Fur Traders as Lacroix. (The Cross)

The Holy Family Parish of Belle Prairie is the oldest permanent Parish in the Diocese of St Cloud. Established in 1853 by Fr Francis Xavier Pierz. He was the First Missionary Priest to establish a Parish in Central Minnesota in 1852. The Diocese was then that of St Paul with Bishop Grace as the Bishop of that Diocese.

This is an etching of the original Church which was known to Elizabeth Hayes. Below is a painting of the same Church in 1877.

It is interesting that a stained glass window of St Anthony of Padua is reflected in the painting. Elizabeth Hayes had a special attachment to St Anthony and called her first school at Belle Prairie, St Anthony Academy.

This is the present day church in 2015. It was extended at the front to make a larger foyer. Statues attached to the church are from the Sisters Convent which is now a retirement home. More about that in another BLOG.

The "Log Cabin" as it is affectionately named, was the  original convent of our foundation. The log cabin is now opposite the church and was moved here around 2009. Originally it was close to the church.

This is the inside of the Log Cabin. Behind the rocking chair is a pot belly stove that was used to warm the place. Elizabeth Hayes and Mary Peet arrived in the winter of 1872. 

This convent and school was built in 1873. It consisted of 4 wooden buildings around an open court yard. Two buildings were used as Boarding houses, one for the school and convent quarters for the Sisters. (This photo was taken from a display at the Little Falls Convent)

I will continue the story during the next couple of weeks.