St. William

About St. William Catholic Church

St. William's Catholic Church is a small Roman Catholic parish serving the Parkers Prairie community in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. With approximately 413 parish members — most of German Catholic descent — the parish has served the area since 1950 and is part of the Diocese of St. Cloud, joined together with neighboring parishes in the Disciples of the Mission Area Catholic Community (ACC DOTM). The parish is pastored by Fr. Jeremy Theis, assisted by Deacon Mick Froslee, with parish secretarial duties handled by Laura Shircliff and youth ministry for the area led by Amy Evjen.

• Approximately 413 households, mostly of German Catholic heritage
• Member of the Diocese of St. Cloud
• Part of the Disciples of the Mission Area Catholic Community (ACC DOTM)

History of the Parish

Catholic life in Parkers Prairie actually began well before the parish was formally established. In 1914, Dr. Herbert Leibold opened a small hospital staffed by himself; he eventually sold it in 1948 to the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, with Fr. Hyacinth Cismowski O.S.B. serving as chaplain. Recognizing the need for a Catholic parish in the area, Dr. Liebold and Math Kraemer approached the Bishop of the St. Cloud Diocese. The parish corporation was officially established on November 2, 1950, and the first Mass was offered on Christmas Day 1950 in the city hall. Construction of a permanent church began in early 1951, and Bishop Bartholome dedicated the new building on June 25, 1952, with Fr. Joseph Vogrin — who would shepherd the parish for 36 years — as founding pastor.

• 1914: Dr. Herbert Leibold opens a small hospital
• 1948: Hospital sold to the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls
• November 2, 1950: Parish corporation established
• Christmas Day 1950: First Mass celebrated in Parkers Prairie city hall
• Early 1951: Construction begins (land and a home donated by Dr. Liebold)
• June 25, 1952: Church dedicated by Bishop Bartholome

Parish Staff

• Fr. Jeremy Theis — Pastor (Office: 218-338-2761)
• Deacon Mick Froslee (Office: 218-769-4409)
• Laura Shircliff — Secretary (Office Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.)
• Amy Evjen — ACC Youth Director for the Area Catholic Community

Parish Organizations & Ministries

Parish life at St. William's is shaped by a strong network of volunteer organizations. Christian Mothers, Ladies Aid, the Knights of Columbus (Council 1995), and the Youth Group all play active roles in both parish and civic life, alongside leadership bodies such as the Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Council.

• Christian Mothers
• Ladies Aid
• Knights of Columbus — Council 1995
• Youth Group
• Parish Pastoral Council
• Finance Council
• Social Outreach Ministry

Connection with St. William's Living Center

St. William's Church works in close association with St. William's Living Center, an up-to-date nursing home, retirement, and mental-health care facility located directly across the street. Together, parish and facility provide spiritual and healthcare-related services for people of all ages and religious backgrounds.

• Friday 7:30 a.m. weekday Mass celebrated at the Living Center
• Spiritual care and outreach to residents of all denominations

Area Catholic Community

St. William's is one of the parishes of the Disciples of the Mission Area Catholic Community (ACC DOTM), a grouping of parishes within the Diocese of St. Cloud that share resources such as youth ministry and pastoral leadership. Amy Evjen serves as the ACC's Youth Director.

• Member of the Disciples of the Mission ACC
• Shared ACC Youth Director: Amy Evjen

Contact & Visiting

Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The office is located inside the church building at 209 W Soo Street, with the St. William's Living Center directly across the street for those wishing to visit residents after Mass.

• Address: 209 W Soo Street, P.O. Box 339, Parkers Prairie, MN 56361-0339
• Phone: (218) 338-2761
• Email: [email protected]
• Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
• Directions: From the intersection of MN 29 (N. Otter Avenue) and W. Soo Street, go to S. McCornell Avenue; the church is on the right.