PEMBINA, N.D. -- When French missionaries first came here in the 19th century, they found thousands of fur traders of mixed native and European descent eager to embrace Catholicism.
In time, a log chapel was built on the old town site, not far from hunting grounds teeming with buffalo.
Today, that original structure is gone, but the parish and the religious conviction of its members still endures.
"The same faith that is proclaimed today is the faith that settlers brought over," Fargo Bishop Samuel Aquila said Friday at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church.
The church, which traces its origin back to that rustic chapel, celebrated its 190th anniversary on the day marking the feast of its namesake.
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"It's a big deal," said Gwen Emerson, the church's organ player.
In his homily, Aquila spoke of the sacrifices settlers and the missionaries made to establish the church and survive on the frontier. He said what kept them going was a deep belief in God.
"They had confidence and trusted and shared their faith in Christ with others," Aquila said, his voice resounding off the chapel's pine ceiling.
The parish's first head priest came from Montreal, and the first Mass was celebrated in September 1818. The parish, which was once in Canadian territory, has been part of six dioceses and has had some 80 head priests. The chapel itself has had four incarnations -- first in 1818, then new buildings were built in 1848, 1880 and 1960.
60 families strong
Margaret Cleem, the parish's historian, said nearly 60 families now belong to the church.
"We're just really thrilled we're still here," Cleem said.
For Dorothy Jerome Kalka, the church holds a place in heart and her heritage. Kalka, 73, can trace her ancestors back seven generations in records of church baptisms and marriages. Her forefathers were French Canadian.
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"They followed the customs of the time and took an Indian wife," Kalka said.
Along with Bishop Aquila, Manitoba Archbishop Emilius Goulet and several other clergy members, some from as far away as Nigeria, attended the evening Mass.
After the ceremony, Dice Corrty chatted with a friend as he waited for the supper line to open up.
The Pembina native, who's belonged to the church for 80 years, said he thinks the anniversary is "a wonderful thing."
"I'd just as soon waited for 200, but I wouldn't have been around then," the 86-year-old said.
Reach Ingersoll at (701) 780-1269; (800) 477-6572, ext. 269; or send e-mail to aingersoll@gfherald.com .
