The first Mass said in Barnes County very likely took place in 1878, although no record exists as to where it was performed. However, in November of 1879, Father Spitzenberger of Moorhead, Minnesota did say Mass in the railroad section house with three families present.
Mass was held on at least one occasion in 1880 at the Phillip Gassmann home by Father Born of Bismarck. Doubtless, other missionary priests also visited the booming village on the Sheyenne, holding services at the section house, school house or in homes.
In 1882 the first church of veneered brick was built at a cost of $2,000 on the north corner of Block six, Root's Addition. Cost of the lot was $125.00.
By 1884 the parish had grown to one hundred twenty-five; seventy percent German, and thirty percent Irish. From 1884 to 1887, Father Jasper of Jamestown and Casselton served the parish. In 1887 the Reverend H. Schmitz, the first resident priest, served seventy-five families for three years.
The next ten years saw a steady growth in St. Catherine's parish, with a succession of priests serving, each in his own way paving the way for a greater church.
In 1897 Reverend Joseph G. Sailer appeared on the scene and, as the parish now numbered mote than three hundred members, Father Sailer began to solicit subscriptions for a new church. 135 parishioners contributed $17,100, while outside contributions came to $1,259. The cornerstone was laid on July 2, 1905 and on July 1, 1906, the new church was dedicated by the beloved Bishop Shanley. St. Catherine's was the first church in the Fargo Diocese free of debt, a distinction well-merited.
In 1917, under the guidance of Monsignor John D. Baker, the first church was razed and an educational unit erected at a cost of $27,000, serving 250 students, grades one through eight.
The Reverend Dworshak succeeded Monsignor Baker upon his death and under his able guidance, the parish again became free from debt.
Under Father Dawson, who came in 1943, the church was remodeled, a new high school was constructed and in 1957, a combination gymnasium and theatre was added to the educational complex.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 302