Church History - In 1855, Wright County was established, and the first Catholics began to arrive in the county. Regular visits to Catholic settlers were made by Benedictine fathers, first from St. Paul, and later from Collegeville. Monticello became a parish in June 1909, when the first resident pastor, Father Stephen Kinkead, arrived; Clearwater was a mission parish of Monticello. Mass was celebrated every Sunday in both places. Father Kinkead stayed first at the hotel in Monticello, and later in a rented house at the east end of town. He later bought the first parsonage. In July of 1909, Monticello parishioners named their church Saint Henry’s in honor of Father Blum, their mission priest.
Cemetery History - St. Henry’s Catholic Cemetery is the youngest of the four cemeteries in Monticello. The first portion of the current cemetery was purchased in 1918 and comprised 3.12 acres of land sold to St. Henry for $468.00 by Victor and Viola Kingsbury.
In 1962, St. Henry's acquired another 1.15 acres adjoining the original portion from Catharine Frassel for less than $100. The last portion of the cemetery, approximately 2.89 acres, was purchased in November 1971 from Fred and Grace Tozer.
Today, St Henry's Cemetery encompasses 7.16 acres of land, of which only a portion is platted and being used for burials.
Currently, the board is in the process of obtaining a master plan concept design for developing the remainder of the cemetery property. This master plan will include such items as roads, columbarium niches, a small mausoleum, gardens and meditation areas. The expansion of the cemetery will take place over a number of years as needed.
St. Henry’s was named by the parishioners in honor of Father William Henry Blum, their first mission priest, circa 1863.
****This is a 4 Stage Multi!****
Final Coords
N 45º 17. (Posted Coords - # of letters in the woman's name of the Ministry, Jesus is the _th word in the passage, Stage 2 - Loving Father of _ )
W 93° 49. ( Stage 2 - Psalm 91:_ , Stage 3 - # of times American Legion is repeated, Unit 26_ )