The Diocese of Crookston Chancery and grounds is located at 1200 Memorial Drive, Crookston, Minnesota. The chancery/administrative buidling was completed in July of 1952, under the supervision of Bishop Francis Schenk. The complex included administrative offices, the bishop's chapel, living quarters for the bishop, vicar general, and chancellor, a caretaker's house, garages, a greenhouse, workshop, and root cellar. Today the administrative building continues to be home to the diocesan administrative offices. A low building on the north side of the chancery houses additional offices as well as the OND (Our Northland Diocese) publishing office and the diocesan resource center. The grounds are graced with beautiful mature oaks, spruce, and other ornamental trees and plants.
The chapel is located on the top floor of the chancery. The theme in the large portions of the three larger windows is the history of the Church in the area of the present Diocese of Crookston, running chronologically from the front window to the back. The small sections top and bottom of the three larger windows are utilized for the coats of arms of the four Bishops of Crookston who have held office to date. The small sections in the larger window at the rear of the chapel are reserved for future bishops of the See.
Large window at front:
1736 - Aulneau. Father Pierre Aulneau S.J., massacred by the Sioux on June 5, 1736, on Lake of the Woods, was the second priest to offer Mass and the first priest to perish in the Diocese.
1858 - Lautischar. Father Lawrence Lautischar, frozen to death on Red Lake on Dec. 3, 1958, was the first diocesan priest to be stationed in the Diocese.
Both priests in a sense were martyrs to duty, hence a cross in red in the middle of the window.
Second Large Window:
1875 - Seidenbusch. Rt. Rev. Rupert Seidenbusch, O.S.B., was the temporary beginning of the hierarchy in the area as Vicar Apostiolic 1875-1889. His vast territory shown by the map, included the Diocese of Crookston.
1878 - Hermanutz. Rev. Aloys Hermanutz, a Benedictine appointed to White Earth in 1878 was the first resident priest of stable tneure in the Diocese. He stayed until his death in 1929. In 1910 he became the first Vicar General of newly created Diocese of Crookston.
This window witnesses to the conspicuous role of the Benedictines in the Diocese from 1875 onward.
Third Large Window:
1889 - McGolrick. Rt. Rev. James McGolrick, as the first Bishop of Duluth 1889-1918, whose territory originally included the present Diocese of Crookston, marked the parmanet beginning of the hierarchy. The three spires designate the Cathedrals in both Duluth and Crookston - both buildings having been built by Bishop Corbett and being identical except for size.
1910 - Corbett. Rt. Rev. James Corbett appointed as first Bishop of Crookston in 1910 marks the final step in the permanent establishment of the Church in northwestern Minnesota. The cornerstone, the hands and the latern represent his initial directive, the laying of the cornerstone of the Cathedral School. It was laid at night by the janitor and Monsignor Wurm.
The two small windows in the alcove are given to the two principle orders of religious women who have labored in the Diocese.
Small Window toward Front
1878 - Marks the coming of Sr. Lioba and Sr. Philomena, Benedictines, to White Earth with Father Aloys Hermanutz, O.S.B. They were members of the Benedictine community at St. Joseph, Minnesota, which still labors among the Indians at White Earth and Red Lake.
1919 - Marks the creation of the new community of Benedictine Sisters in Crookston. On May 4, 1919, the first Mother Prioress was appointed from the Duluth community. On Feb. 10, 1920, the first novices were received in Crookston.
The small portion of the window bears the medal of St. Benedict.
Small Window toward Back
1903 - Marks the coming of five Sisters of St. Joseph of Bourg to Villa Rosa Academy, Argyle, Minnesota. They had been forced to leave France because of anti-religious lawls. Later their headquarters was moved to Crookston.
1958 - Marks the erection of their new motherhouse and novitiate in Crookston.
The small portion of this window bears the seal of this congregation of Sisters.
Coats of Arms
Dove: Corbett
Stag: Peschges
Lion: Schenk
Fish: Glenn
Book of Gospels: Balke
Chancery Staff
