About St. Nicholas · Belle River, Minnesota
St. Nicholas Catholic Church of Belle River is a small rural parish in Belle River Township (Carlos), Douglas County, Minnesota, belonging to the Diocese of St. Cloud and served as part of the Come to the Water Area Catholic Community with St. Mary's in Alexandria and Immaculate Conception in Osakis. Founded as a missionary outpost in 1870 and dedicated as a log church in 1871 by Archbishop Thomas L. Grace of St. Paul, it is the second oldest parish in Douglas County. The present brick church, built after a 1915 fire, was dedicated in 1916 and remains the heart of a multi-generational German-immigrant community that traces its roots back to pioneer Catholic settlers. Today, under pastor Father Matthew Kuhn and parochial vicar Father Dan Ruprecht, St. Nicholas continues its mission: "To build God's Church across generations by living the Eucharist."
- Established
- 1871
- Patron
- St. Nicholas
- Rector
- Father Matthew Kuhn
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Cloud
Why belong here
St. Nicholas of Belle River is the second-oldest parish in Douglas County, rooted in 1871 and still served weekly by Sunday Mass and weekday Mass every Wednesday. It is part of the Come to the Water Area Catholic Community alongside St. Mary's in Alexandria and Immaculate Conception in Osakis, so members have access to deep faith-formation programs (Grades 1-11), Vacation Bible School, OCIA, men's and women's Bible studies, and an active youth ministry. For anyone seeking a quiet, multigenerational rural faith community where families are known by name, where a historic brick church still rings its 1916 bells, and where the mission is simply 'to build God's Church across generations by living the Eucharist,' St. Nicholas welcomes you—whether you are a lifelong Catholic or just exploring the faith.
Mass times at St. Nicholas
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday at 7:45 a.m. (preceding Mass)
- First Saturday — Reconciliation following the 9:00 a.m. Mass
Adoration times
- First Saturday — Adoration following the 9:00 a.m. Mass
Our Mission
St. Nicholas Catholic Church of Belle River states its mission simply and directly: 'To build God's Church across generations by living the Eucharist.' Whether you are a life-long Catholic or exploring the faith, the parish welcomes you. Parishioners are encouraged to browse the website to find opportunities of interest, to interact with the community, and to grow spiritually on their faith journey.
- Mission statement: 'To build God's Church across generations by living the Eucharist.'
- Welcome from Pastor Father Matthew Kuhn
- Parish is part of the Come to the Water Area Catholic Community (ACC)
History
St. Nicholas of Belle River began as a missionary outpost in 1870, when Father Xavier Pierz encouraged Catholic settlers to organize and build. The first log church was dedicated in 1871 by St. Paul Archbishop Thomas L. Grace. It is the second oldest parish in Douglas County, sitting between missions at Long Prairie and Millerville. After decades of visiting clergy and a brief closure by Bishop Zardetti in 1893, the parish grew steadily: a frame church in 1883, a rectory in 1884, and a resident pastorate beginning in 1890 under Father Ignatius Lager. Extended pastorates by Father Emil Steinach (1908-1923) and Father Theodore Rams built up parish societies and a thriving parish life.
The Three Churches
The parish has built three successive churches on the same property. Long before any of them, Mass was offered in the homes of Frank Quinn, Sr. and Nicholas Botzet.
- 1871 — Log church, dedicated by Archbishop Thomas L. Grace on land donated by Frank Quinn and John Clousen (20 acres total).
- 1883 — Frame church, with rectory added in 1884; replaced the log structure.
- 1916 — Present brick church, built with scaled-down Fergus Falls Catholic Church blueprints, after the August 8, 1915 fire destroyed the frame church.
The 1915 Fire and the Brick Church
On August 8, 1915, a smoldering fire started by the charcoal censer used for benedictions destroyed the wooden church. The curling black smoke and floating shingles could be seen for miles around. Father Steinach, with help, saved some vestments and utensils; the winter chapel was pressed into service until the brick replacement was built the following year and dedicated on October 15, 1916.
- Stations of the cross, stained-glass windows, bells, and statues—all donated by parish families in 1916.
- The St. Nicholas statue above the main altar was paid for by all parishioners named Nicholas.
Service to the World Beyond Belle River
The parish has long been outward-looking. Pioneer pastorates supported Native American and European settler missions; later generations gave to national and international relief efforts and supported local communities in crisis.
- Week-long Mission with Father Xavier Pierz and Jesuit Father Xavier Weninger (1871).
- Collections for World War I relief in Europe, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and the 1919 Fergus Falls tornado.
- Support of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls.
- Four women from the parish entered religious life: three Franciscans and one Benedictine.
Clergy, Staff, and Officers
St. Nicholas is served by the same pastoral team that staffs the Come to the Water ACC, along with local lay staff who keep the parish office, finances, formation programs, and buildings running. Longtime local family names such as Marthaler have carried parish responsibilities across generations, with Sharon Marthaler serving as parish secretary and Tim Marthaler as custodian, both reachable at the parish's main number and email.
- Father Matthew Kuhn — Pastor (320-460-5335; [email protected])
- Father Dan Ruprecht — Parochial Vicar (320-460-5332; [email protected])
- Deacon Tony Pasko — Retired ([email protected])
- Todd Wentworth — Parish Business Administrator (320-460-5333)
- Sharon Marthaler — Parish Administrative Assistant / Bookkeeper (320-859-2390; [email protected])
- Tim Marthaler — Custodian (320-859-2390; [email protected])
- Dennis Hillmer — Parish Trustee (320-766-8505)
- Dwayne Waldorf — Parish Trustee (320-219-0409)
- Carole Steidl — Organist (with continuing assistance from Norma Hintzen)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Nicholas is rooted in the National Directory for Catechesis. The program nourishes the lives of children, teens, and adults by building a strong moral and spiritual foundation; increasing knowledge of religious fundamentals and inspiring sacramental awareness; developing awareness of the demands of justice and stewardship; and complying with the National Directory for Catechesis. VBS for children age 4 through Grade 6 is held on the St. Nicholas campus each summer.
- Faith Formation, Grades 1-11
- Little Hearts for Jesus — early childhood faith formation
- Youth Ministry, Grades 1-12
- Vacation Bible School (VBS) — for ages 4 through Grade 6
- Sacramental Preparation for First Eucharist and Confirmation
- 2025-26 registration deadline: June 30
- 2025 VBS: Monday, August 4 – August 7, 6:00-8:00 p.m., cost $10/student
Adult Faith Formation & OCIA
Adult faith formation at St. Nicholas includes the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process for unbaptized adults, baptized adults needing Eucharist and/or Confirmation, children over 7 not yet baptized, and baptized Christians from other traditions seeking to enter the Roman Catholic Church. Inquiry begins in mid-September; contact Father Matthew Kuhn at (320) 763-5781.
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) — inquiry begins in mid-September
- Young Adults Group (ACC-wide)
- Women's Bible Study Group — Saturday mornings 8:00-10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Lighthouse
- Men's Bible Study Group — Thursdays 6:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Great Hall (covers upcoming Sunday readings)
- Men's Bible Study — Wednesdays 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Commons Area
- Zoom Bible Study Group
Parish Life & Societies
Parish societies have been a hallmark of St. Nicholas since Father Emil Steinach's pastorate. Today, the St. Ann Sodality of Belle River carries on that tradition, helping with parish events and engaging parishioners across the life of the church. Parish Trustees, the Parish Pastoral Council, and the choir all keep daily operations and liturgical life running smoothly.
- St. Ann Sodality of Belle River — full list of 2026 activities posted on the parish website
- Parish Choir — Joseph Stoetzel was a member for fifty years and a Bishop's Medal recipient
- Parish Pastoral Council — meets monthly with the other Come to the Water ACC parishes
- Parish Trustees — Dennis Hillmer and Dwayne Waldorf
Pastoral Council & Diocesan Life
St. Nicholas participates in the Come to the Water ACC Pastoral Council alongside parishes from Immaculate Conception (Osakis) and St. Mary's (Alexandria). The council meets monthly at rotating parish sites—an October 2023 meeting was held at St. Nicholas Church, Belle River—and its work supports a shared ACC Strategic Plan with goals including welcoming new parishioners, building a sense of belonging through neighborhood communities, and updating HR policies with a diocesan attorney. The ACC meets periodically with Bishop Neary of the Diocese of St. Cloud.
- Come to the Water ACC Pastoral Council meets monthly at rotating parish sites
- ACC Strategic Plan, Goal 2: develop formal plans to welcome new parishioners
- Bishop Neary (Diocese of St. Cloud) meets with each ACC annually
- Recent facility work at St. Nicholas: power-washing and new storm windows
- Parish is listed in the Diocese of St. Cloud parish directory
Giving & Sacramental Information
Information about giving, scheduling Baptisms, weddings, funerals, Anointing of the Sick, and sacramental preparation is available through the parish office at (320) 852-7041 or [email protected]. The community welcomes visitors and parishioners alike, encouraging involvement in ministries, formation, and sacramental life as pathways of spiritual growth.
- Parish office: 9473 Co. Rd. 3 NE, Belle River (Carlos), MN 56319
- Phone: (320) 852-7041
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Xavier Pierz1870s
Pioneer missionary; urged the Belle River community in 1870 to build a church and conducted a week-long Mission in 1871 with Jesuit Fr. Xavier Weninger.
- Fr. Ignatius Tomazin1871 onward; named first resident pastor of St. Nicholas, 1893
Said the first Mass in the area at the Frank Quinn home; later appointed resident pastor after Bishop Zardetti briefly closed and reopened the parish.
- Father John Schenk (Pastor of Long Prairie)1873-1883
Attended to Belle River as a mission from Long Prairie.
- Fr. Placidus (et al., Benedictine fathers from St. John's Abbey)1883-1889
Assigned to Belle River; planned and built the frame church and rectory in 1883-1884.
- Fr. Ignatius Lager1890 onwards
First Resident Pastor; expanded the rectory for a school that never materialized, used as a winter chapel.
- Fr. Emil Steinach1908-1923
Extended pastorate; founded the St. Nicholas Society, St. Agnes, St. Anne's, St. Joseph, and Holy Childhood of Jesus societies; oversaw the brick church's construction and 1916 dedication after the 1915 fire.
- Fr. John Schritz1923-1924
- Fr. Theodore Rams1924-1946
Established a parish drama club that performed three-act plays to raise funds.
- Fr. John Bussman1946-1954
- Fr. Sylvester Gall1954-1958
- Fr. Arthur Hoppe1958-1961
- Fr. Paul Schmelzer1961-1964
- Fr. Irvin Braun1964-1974
- Fr. Walter Bednark1974-1988
- Fr. Frank Poncelete1988-1992
- Fr. Jeff Ethen1992-present (at time of writing)