St. Mary

Parish History

St. Mary's was incorporated under Minnesota law on May 19, 1902 as 'The Church of St. Mary of Cottonwood, Minnesota,' but for 50 years it 'existed in name only.' The modern parish was born in the post-WWII Catholic influx, when Archbishop Murray of St. Paul renewed plans and Fr. Richard Zwicky of Green Valley took Cottonwood as a mission. Seven acres were purchased in May 1953 for $2,100; first resident pastor Fr. Adalbert Cepress was appointed June 23, 1953; the first Mass was celebrated in the American Legion Hall on July 5, 1953; groundbreaking was June 10, 1954; and the completed church was dedicated on July 10, 1955 by Most Rev. James J. Byrne, auxiliary bishop of the St. Paul Archdiocese.

The Church Building and 2002 Addition

The original church was a 35' x 70' structure with seating for 208, a sacristy, choir room, and basement kitchen, built at a cost of about $36,000. The outside bell was donated by neighboring St. Andrew's parish in Granite Falls. As the parish outgrew its space, planning began in 1999 for an addition; a handicap-accessible ramp was built in 2001 and a rear parking lot added. Groundbreaking for the new basement worship area and dining space was April 23, 2002 and the addition was completed that fall at a cost of $450,000. The mortgage was paid off early and burned at a celebratory dinner on August 28, 2011.

Recent Improvements

Over the years, the parish completed several interior painting projects, updated landscaping, replaced carpet, and purchased a new piano. The summer of 2012 brought a kitchen remodel with project costs of about $75,108.61, completed without taking out a loan thanks to donations from groups and parishioners. In 2015, the parish acquired a new organ for $23,000 through parishioner donations and celebrated Easter Mass with it that year.

Mary, Mother of God Area Faith Community

St. Mary's Cottonwood is a member parish of the Mary, Mother of God Area Faith Community (AFC), which unites it with Holy Redeemer in Marshall, St. Mary in Tracy, and St. Michael in Milroy. The AFC shares clergy, faith formation staff, and a common bulletin. The AFC Administrator is Becki Johnson; the AFC Bulletin Editor is Barb Marron; the AFC Development Director is Dana Peterson; and the AFC Faith Formation Administrative Assistant is Emily Goblirsch.

• Holy Redeemer — Marshall (flagship parish at 503 West Lyon)
• St. Mary — Tracy (249 6th Street)
• St. Michael — Milroy (200 Euclid Avenue)
• Pastoral Center / parish offices at 503 West Lyon, Marshall

Parish Staff and Clergy

St. Mary's Cottonwood is served by the AFC clergy, with Lynn Nelson as the Administrative Assistant assigned to Holy Redeemer and St. Mary's Cottonwood. Regular office hours at St. Mary's are Tuesday–Thursday 6:00–7:30 p.m. and Wednesday 9:00–10:30 a.m.

• Fr. Steve Verhelst — Pastor & AFC Co-DRE
• Fr. Andy Michels — Senior Associate Pastor
• Fr. Dennis Labat — Senior Associate Pastor
• Fr. Paul Schumacher — Retired Priest in Residence
• Deacon Ken Noyes — Permanent Deacon
• Lynn Nelson — Administrative Assistant (Holy Redeemer and St. Mary's, Cottonwood)

Faith Formation and Religious Education

Faith Formation classes for the AFC begin in September each year and serve families across the four parishes, with directors Diann Timmerman and Suzanne Lightfoot and administrative assistant Emily Goblirsch. First Communion is celebrated at each parish; Confirmation for the AFC is held together — for example, on Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Michael's in Milroy.

• Faith Formation Classes (K–Gr. 12)
• Sacrament of First Communion preparation
• Confirmation preparation (AFC-wide)
• OCIA / RCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
• Catechist recruitment each fall

Adult Formation and Small Groups

The AFC offers a range of adult faith and fellowship programs held at various parish and school locations in Marshall. These include a men's program (That Man is You), a women's program (She Shall Be Called Woman), and a discipleship program for men and women (Emmaus). GriefShare, a nondenominational Christ-centered grief support program, also meets in the Holy Redeemer Church gathering area in Marshall.

• That Man is You (men)
• She Shall Be Called Woman (women)
• Emmaus (Men & Women)
• GriefShare — grief support group
• FORMED.org (subscription access for parishioners)

Sacraments

Information on preparing for and receiving the sacraments is published in the AFC bulletin and website. Baptisms are by appointment following a preparation session; marriages are arranged with at least six months of preparation. First Communion and Confirmation are prepared through the AFC's Faith Formation program.

• Baptism — by appointment; contact the Parish Center at 507-532-5711
• Marriage — at least 6 months preparation; contact Fr. Steve Verhelst at 320-815-9148
• First Communion
• Confirmation
• OCIA (for adults)
• Anointing of the Sick (by request through the parish office)

Music and Liturgical Ministry

Music at St. Mary's includes congregational singing, cantors, and choir. The 2015 pipe organ replaced earlier instruments and supports Sunday Mass. Liturgical ministers — lectors, cantors, Eucharistic ministers, servers, gift-bearers, and ushers — serve at each weekend Mass.

• Pipe organ (2015, $23,000, parishioner-funded)
• Cantor ministry
• Choir
• Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Servers, Ushers, Gift Bearers

Visiting and Contact

St. Mary's is located at 255 W. 4th Street S., Cottonwood, MN 56229 (mailing address: PO Box 228, Cottonwood, MN 56229). The parish phone is (507) 423-5220. The parish's primary online presence is the Mary, Mother of God AFC website (www.mmogafc.org) and the Holy Redeemer website (www.holy-redeemer.com), which carries a dedicated St. Mary's page including its history, staff, and contact information. A Facebook page under the name 'St. Mary's Catholic Church, Cottonwood, MN' is linked from the parish website.

• Address: 255 W. 4th Street S., Cottonwood, MN 56229
• Mailing: PO Box 228, Cottonwood, MN 56229
• Phone: (507) 423-5220
• Office hours: Tue–Thu 6:00–7:30 p.m.; Wed 9:00–10:30 a.m.
• Website: mmogafc.org / holy-redeemer.com
• Facebook: 'St. Mary's Catholic Church, Cottonwood, MN'