Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/503

 I'lSTol.'Y OF GOODHUE COUXJ V 429 Selin, L901-03; 0. W. Ostrom, 1903-04; C. M. Holmberg, 1904-06. In 1906 Vasa was connected with Red Wing, and L. G. Edgren became pastor, residing in Wed Wing. The Goodhue Congregation was organized in 1868, when some members from Massachusetts immigrated there. The first mem- bers were Gustaf Newman and his wife, John A. Peterson, Anna Peterson, Daniel Larson and Kathrine Larson. In 1877 a church was erected a mile and a half northwest of Goodhue. It has been in connect ion with Vasa until recent years. Red Wing Congregation. The first Swedish Methodist minis- ter that preached in Red Winy was ( '. F. Lindquist, in August, 1859. Later, preachers from Vasa visited Red Wing and preached in a little chapel, which was built in 1870 on a lot belonging to C. F. Lindquist. A congregation was organized September If), 1873, and the little chapel was used as a church until 1877, when a church was erected on the corner of Fast avenue and Seventh street, where it is at present standing. The following ministers have served this congregation : A. J. Wicklund, L. Dahlgren, J. A. Johnson. < '. G. Nelson, O. -I. Shad. ( G. Forsberg, C. Nord, J. A. Palmquist. A. A. Dahlberg, J. O. Alven, C. J. Melberg, J. A. Palmquist. J. V. Swenson, E. A. "Wahlquist, and L. G. Edgren, the present pastor, who came here in 1906, and remains here when this is written. ROMAN CATHOLIC. The missionary spirit bequeathed the world, when the Savior sent the Apostles to teach all nations what He had taught them, first manifested itself in these regions in the summer of 1860. It was then that Father Hennepin, of the great Franciscan Order, passed up Lake Pepin and the Mississippi river to the falls which he named in honor of his patron, St. Anthony of Padua. More directly connected with our immediate vicinity is the arrival of the Jesuit missionaries. Fathers Guignas and DeGonor, with a French exploring and trading expedition in 1727. The French authorities were seeking a location for a fort to protect their interests, suitable for carrying on trade with the Indians. The site of the Villa Maria, near Frontenac, seemed ideal, and thereon was erected Fort Beauharnois. A log chapel for the missionaries was built, and dedicated to St. Michael the Arch- angel, being the first Christian temple in this vast northwestern region. For a time the expectations were realized. An extensive trade in furs and Indian products was carried on. Priests minis- tered to the soldiers and traders, and reached, as best they could, the Indians who came to the post. The political changes at that period, in the old world as well as in the new, made progress in evangelizing the natives slow and