On this page you'll be introduced to historic sites in the New
Trier area. Some of them are simply interesting points of local
interest, but many have a unique place in the history of Minnesota
or have even been deemed of National significance. Each is well
worth the trip to see in person and, hopefully, this page will help
you understand these sites and the role they played in our rich
history.
 |
Indicates a site that is of National historic significance and
has a marker in place from the National Register of Historic
Sites. |
Location: 8433 239th St. E.
St. Mary's Church, a colorful and striking
building, stands near the top of Mary Hill overlooking the small
town of New Trier. Pioneer German Catholics named the town after
Trier, Germany, their home. The congregation organized in 1856 and
built the first St. Mary's, a small log structure which they
outgrew in eight years. In 1864, they erected a stone church on the
site.
The present Beaux Arts style church, designed by architect
George J. Ries, succeeded it in 1909. Ries served as apprentice
architect in Bavaria before emigrating to St. Paul in 1881. He
worked as a bricklayer until 1892, when he started his own
construction company. He officially went into architecture in 1906.
Perhaps his best-known work is St. Agnes Church on Lafond Avenue in
St. Paul.
Over the years St. Mary's church became known as the "Mother
Church" to neighboring Catholic congregations including St. Pius in
Cannon Falls, St. Joseph's in Miesville, St. John's in Vermillion
and St. Mathias at Hampton. Descendants of the earliest pioneer
parishioners still belong to St. Mary's today. In 1976, Father
Klaers supervised a major renovation of the church, including new
tuck-pointing.
If you know of a local site in this area that you feel should be
acknowledged for its historic significance we'd love to hear about
it or help you to investigate and document the site. Please contact
the us at:
Dakota County Historical Society
130 Third Avenue North
South Saint Paul, MN 55075
| Telephone: 651/552-7548 |
Fax:
651/552-7265
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