"The Lord's dwelling is well founded on a firm rock" -- words spoken by the Most Rev. Francis J. Schenk, Bishop of Duluth, as he blessed the outer walls of St. Andrew's church, Aug. 29, 1965, as the new Catholic church in Brainerd was being dedicated.

The idea of a second parish in Brainerd primarily grew out of the need for more room at St. Francis of Assisi parish. The Masses were crowded, the parking area was crowded and, so was the school. The parish was so large that members did not know one another. The school was filled to capacity and in many cases students from new families had to be turned away.

In 1962, Bishop Schenk found that he would be able to supply a resident priest, so plans were begun with Msgr. Thomas Scott, pastor of St. Francis parish, for a division of the parish. In May 1963, St. Andrew's was established with Father Frank Melovasich, the parish priest. With Msgr. Scott's assistance, an intensive campaign for funds was conducted in 1963.

The formal division of the parish was made at Maple Street in Brainerd. Those parishioners living north of Maple Street or coming in to town from the north, west and east on Highways 371, 210 or 25 remained in St. Francis parish. Those parishioners living south of Maple Street or coming in to Brainerd from the south or east on 371 or 18 belonged in St. Andrew's parish.

From about May 26, 1963, until the Spring of 1965, Sunday Mass was celebrated in the Washington High school auditorium.

The south side of Willow Street between 11th and 12th Streets was the site chosen for the new structure, and ground-breaking ceremonies took place on Sunday, June 7, 1964. Construction began in July of that year, and the first religious service was held in the church on Easter Sunday, April 18, 1965.

St. Andrew's complex consists of a convent, gymnasium -- auditorium (which is used as the church), a cafeteria, heating area, an eight-classroom school and two landscaped courtyards.

On completion of the structure in 1965, the school was opened for first and second grade pupils under the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception from Belle Prairie. Each year another class was added, but in 1969, after operating only four years, the school had to be closed due to lack of teaching Sisters and the small number of students in attendance.

At the end of August 1966, Father Melovasich was transferred to Sacred Heart church in Duluth and Father Thomas Shubitz came to take his place. In February of 1970, Father Shubitz assumed other duties and was replaced by Father Roman Spors and Deacon Terry Peters, who are ministering to the 410 families in the parish at the present time.

St. Andrew's Council of Catholic Women is the oldest organization in the parish.

In the past year, St. Andrew's Parish Council of Brainerd was organized with the purpose of performing those ministries, secular and religious, as is necessary in the parish and community.

The Council is composed of the clergy, trustees, president of the Women's Council and 12 parishioners elected by the congregation. Committees working with the Council are: Liturgy, Finance, Education, Public Relations and Communications, Social Action, Youth and Maintenance.

The other organizations in the parish -- Knights of Columbus, The National Catholic Society of Foresters, The Daughters of Isabella, Contact Youth Group, Junior High Group, etc. are affiliated with, the same organizations at St. Francis parish.

Reproduced from the Centennial Edition of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch (1871-1971).