St. Michael’s Church, Pingree to celebrate final Mass

Because of declining numbers and resources, the time has come to say goodbye to St. Michael’s Church in Pingree. A final Mass will be celebrated Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. This Mass and the dinner that follows will be an opportunity for parishioners and friends to give thanks for those who have gone before them. Although the decision has been difficult, parishioners are thankful for their faith and commitment to the Church that has inspired many through the years.

St. Michael’s Catholic Church was named after the patron saint of Michael J. Byrne, who was the section boss for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Mr. Byrne and his wife lived in the section house in Pingree, and they invited Father McFee from Jamestown to Pingree to celebrate the first Mass in the section house in the spring of 1896. Irish railroad workers drifted into the area, and it became customary to have regular Mass at the section house. Mrs. Byrne would serve dinner to the small group after the Mass.

In 1905, a 16 X 20 foot church was completed at the cost of $600. The founders of the church were Michael J. Byrne, Peter, James, and John McCarthy, Peter Gaffney, Dan Kavanaugh, and Patrick Butler. The church and cross were painted a vivid green. The little green church on the prairie was appropriately opened on St. Patrick’s Day, 1905, by Father Duffy. There were 30 families and 130 parishioners recorded when the parish was formed. The following year, Bishop Shanley blessed the church and placed it under the patronage of St. Michael. The church was enlarged in 1914 at a cost of $600 and painted white. This structure stood until 1963. The rectory was completed in 1917 under the direction of Father Richard Galvin at an approximate cost of $4,000. A remodeling project on the rectory was completed in 1961.

In 1957, discussions were held concerning the future of St. Michael’s. The consensus was that the parish should continue. It seemed out of the question to build a new church with 35 families, but a few generous donations made the decision easier. A building committee of Roger Nieland, Henry Linzbach, Ralph Kortendick, Adolph Neys, and Arnold Ginsbach led the planning of the new church building.

In 1963, plans for a new larger church became a reality. The old building was torn down and all reusable lumber was salvaged. Under the leadership of Father Sebastian Schramel O.S.B., the parishioners volunteered countless hours to plan and build the new church in one year. The project was completed in August of 1964. St. Michael’s was dedicated on August 23, 1964 by Bishop Leo Dworschak. He praised the community for its accomplishment in building a church valued at $65,000 for only $35,000. On Sept. 29, 1968, Saint Michael’s held a mortgage burning ceremony.

In 1965, the three parishes of Fried, Buchanan, and Pingree were put under the direction of one priest and a tri-parish council was formed. Each church also retained its own council. The tri-parish was dissolved in 1997.

Since 1982, the priests from St. James Basilica have served the parish. For a number of years, Mass was celebrated at St. Michael’s of Pingree during the fall and winter months, and at St. Margaret’s of Buchanan in the spring and summer months. In the fall of 2019, the parish and finance council voted to discontinue Mass at St. Michael’s and petitioned Bishop Folda to begin the process of closing their church.

Editor’s note: If you wish to attend the final Mass and dinner at St. Michael’s on Sept. 26, RSVP to St. James Basilica at (701) 252-0119.