Church History

In 1881, a “station” church was built on twenty acres of land which was donated by two families.  The cost of the church was $300.  Father George Hepperle, coming from Wahpeton, took care of the souls in the St. Joseph’s Station of Hankinson which had approximately fifty parishioners, mostly of German ancestry. 

In 1891, Father Philip Albrecht became pastor while living in Wahpeton.  He and the parishioners decided to build a mission church in the village of Hankinson.  Three lots, south of the Soo Line tracks were purchased and a building was erected in 1892 at a cost of $3,000.  This church was also given the title of St. Joseph.  Father Albrecht remained pastor until 1894 when Father Thomas Rabsteinek came for one year, followed by Father Joseph Studnicka who was appointed pastor in 1895.  Father Studnicka lived in Wahpeton until 1902 when he took up residence in Hankinson. 

Seeing the growth that was to come, the parish, under the guidance of Father Studnicka, purchased more land in 1901.  This property is where the church now stands.  The parish house was erected first at a cost of about $6,000.  Many sacrifices were made for this grand house to be constructed.   

In the spring of 1907 the land for the new St. Philip’s Cemetery, later to be called Calvary Cemetery, was purchased and the bodies which were interred at St. Joseph’s Mission cemetery were moved to the new site.  The cemetery site used for the St. Joseph Station remains at the original burial ground although the tombstones are removed and an appropriate memorial is now erected there.  Father Studnicka, Father Bierens, Father Koehler,  Msgr. Huebsch and Msgr. Anderson are buried in Calvary Cemetery. 

The decision to start the actual building of what was to become the present church, the church of St. Philip, came in June of 1907.  Ground was broken that fall and Bishop John Shanley blessed the Cornerstone in 1908.  The Gothic architectural church, which has a seating capacity of 700 hundred but can accommodate up to one thousand, was completed in 1910.  Bishop James O’Reilley performed his first Pontifical ceremony in the diocese by dedicating the church ion June 8, 1910.  It was fortunate that St. Philip’s was completed as the St. Joseph’s Mission was destroyed by fire in June of 1912.  The original cost of St. Philip’s Church was $65,960. 

The Ford Bothers Glass Company and Studio of Minneapolis was commissioned to produce thirty-six stained glass windows for the new church.  Three bells, cast by the Menelly Company of Troy, New York were installed in the east tower  of St. Philip’s in 1909 and blessed with the names, Mary (Ab)  this should be A with a little b up , Joseph ©, and “poor Souls” (B b).  These bells ae still rung to this day. 

Father Studnicka continued to serve as pastor until 1942.  During his pastorate and mainly due to his influence and invitation, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Heart of Mary chose to open a Motherhouse in Hankinson in 1927, building a convent and school in town. 

With the death of Father Studnicka in 1942, Msgr. Gerard Bierens arrived as the new pastor.  During Msgr. Bierens’ pastorate, in 1943, St. Philip’s Church was renovated with the work being done by St. Paul Statuary Company.   In 1950, the beautiful pipe organ, contracted for from the Wichs Organ Company of Highland, Illinois, was installed at a cost of $5,675.  

Msgr. Bierens’ dream was to have a hospital in Hankinson and his dream became a reality as St. Gerard Community Hospital was built and opened in 1953.  Msgr. Bierens announced his retirement in 1959 and Father Lambert Studzinski was appointed pastor. 

The church was again renovated by the same company in 1967 during Father Studzinski’s pastorate, bringing the church into conformity with reforms of the Second Vatican Council. 

In 1973 Father Studzinski moved to Cando, North Dakota, and Father Paul Koeher became pastor.  Father Koehler stayed here ten years.  Father Koehler undertook many projects to modernize parish life, including instituting a parish council in compliance with new laws of the diocese. 

In 1983, Father Joseph Huebsch, who had previously been an assistant pastor, became pastor of St. Philip’s.  Father Huebsch continued to carry out the work of caring for the souls of St. Philip’s and in the late 1980s began the process of renovating the interior of St. Philip’s, highlighting many of the beautiful elements of the building.  This renovation included the addition of a new marble altar and pulpit. 

Father Huebsch retired as pastor in 1991 and Father John Anderson arrived as the new pastor at St. Philip’s.  Under his patient and loving leadership the people of the parish continued to carry out the missions of their ancestors, one such mission being the passing on to the newest generation of Catholics.  During his pastorate, Father Anderson saw the refurbishment of the great glass windows by the Continental Art Glass Co. Inc. 

In 1999, Father Jim Goodwin arrived to replace the retining Father Anderson.  In his short term as pastor, Father Goodwin oversaw the installation of a new geo-thermal heating system.  Father Goodwin left St. Philip’s in 2005 to continue his studies in Canon Law.  Father Matthew Attansey, originally from Nigeria in Africa, soon arrived to become pastor.  As a missionary priest he remained until 2007.  Father Scott Sautner was appointed pastor in 2008. 

In early 2010 parishioners came together to replace the flooring in the church sanctuary and continue the process of keeping their beloved church beautiful and passing it on to a new generation.   

Rev. George Hepperle, 

Rev. Philip Albrecht,  

Rev. Thomas Rabsteinek 

Rev. Joseph Studnicka, Rt 

Rev. Paul Koehler 

Rev. Msgr. Joseph Huebsch 

Rev. Msgr. John Anderson, 

Rev. James Goodwin 

Rev Matthew Attansey 

Rev. Scott Sautner 

Rev. Msgr. Brian Donahue 

 

Assistant Pastors: 

Fr. Ballemons, OSB 

Fr. Joseph Kuharski 

Fr. Frances Smalley 

Fr. John Bacevius 

Fr. Joseph Huebsch 

Fr. Neil Kapaun 

Fr. Robert Schuster 

Fr. Emmanuel Okonman, Parochial Vicar