St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Keyapaha will celebrate its 100th anniversary on July 31.
The parish would like to invite the community to an open house from 2-4 p.m. with Mass at 4 p.m. officiated by Fr. Kevin Achbach.
After Mass, the parish would like everyone to join them in a real country setting for potluck with plates, napkins, silverware, coffee, water and tea provided.
Around May 15, 1910, it was discovered that there were a number of Catholic families among the homesteaders near Keyapaha in southern Tripp County.
The first Mass in the area was performed in the D.B. Lyons home in the summer of 1916 by a Jesuit priest from St. Francis.
In the fall and winter of 1920-21 the first church in the Keyapaha area was built. Roy Rohmn was the carpenter in charge. He also built St. Boniface Catholic Church near Clearfield.
St. Ann’s is located a mile and a half west and 2 ½ miles south of the former location of Keyapaha.
A priest named Fr. Eardly was sent here to serve both churches. He left during the winter of 1920-21 and was replaced by Fr. Quilligan who was followed by Fr. Groel.
When Fr. Groel was sent to Edgemont, Fr. Bonner came and served until the time of his death in 1949.
On June 24, 1930, Marie Storms and James Welsh were married in the church. That afternoon St. Ann’s was destroyed by a tornado. The parishioners decided to rebuild as soon as they could.
This time W. H. Lawler was the carpenter. The church was rebuilt by October that same year. The extension society paid for the altar in the new church.
Some of the early members were: Joe Storms family, Mike Sharkey family, D. B. Lyons family, Andrew Kinney family, John Volmer family, Mrs. Fred Roberts and family, Steve Sieler family, Ed Sieler family and Harold Gidden family. Today second, third and fourth generation families have attended the church.
Other priests who served the parish included: Fr. Doyle, Fr. Connor, Fr. Kruswicki, Fr. Stroh and Fr. Burger. Services had not been held for seven years before Fr. Burger came. He served the church for over 20 years before his retirement to Wisconsin in 1992.
After that the parish was under the administration of the priest in Winner and was served by priests from St. Francis mission. Priests that had served since 1992 were: Fr. Walleman, Fr. Gill, Fr. Struyk and Fr. Strittmatter.
When the St. Francis priests were reassigned St. Ann’s began being served by the Winner parish priests including: Fr. Brian Lane, Fr. Janusz Korban, Fr. Leo Hausmann, Monsignor Michael Woster, Fr. Andrzej Wyrostek and the current priest Fr. Kevin Achbach.
With the help of $500 grant supplied by the extension society a new steel roof was put on the church in the fall and winter of 1994-1995.
In September 1995, the interior of the church was painted and vinyl siding replaced the old siding. This job was completed in the spring of 1996 and the old carpet was replaced.
St. John’s of Witten donated their large crucifix and their altar as well as a statue of St. Anthony when they closed their parish in the spring of 1996.
The interior of the church was painted again in 2003.
A generous parishioner donated money to St. Ann’s that was used for decorations for the church and air conditioning that was installed in 2007.
In 2018, extensive wind damage tore the siding of St. Ann’s. The Tripp County Foundation came through and funded a grant for repairs.
The historical signage is in front of the church and the interior is beautiful with all new wooden pews, altar railings, side altars and balcony.
Parishioners say the St. Ann’s church bell has an amazing peal extending through the rustic countryside.
For further information on the centennial celebration or questions contact Nancy Storms at 557-3337 or 840-4949.
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