THE 1920s THE HISTORY OF ST. 1921 – Dowling decrees that St. JOSEPH’S CHURCH – Margaret’s and St. Mary’s Churches be merged into a new parish: St. Joseph’s. There are 250 families HOPKINS, MN on the roster. Fr. Charles E. Hovorka (a brother to By Chuck Romportl Fr. Joseph Hovorka from St. Margaret’s in May 22, 2010 Minnetonka) is called from Montevideo to begin his for the Hopkins Historical Society pastorate (which lasts 34 years!). Services are held in the St. Mary’s Church until the new church is built. The Knights of Columbus organize at St. Joseph’s. PRIOR TO 1921

There are two small Catholic Churches in the Hopkins area.

1922 – A school, a ’s home and a convent are built. A “temporary” church is housed in the school building, and services begin there. Cost for the three buildings is between $112,000 and $120,000. The altar from St. Margaret’s is brought over and used in the new church. Pius XI is elected Pope.

St. Margaret’s Church on Bren Road near Shady Oak Road in Minnetonka, serving the Bohemian settlers, was built in 1880. Fr. Joseph Hovorka was the pastor of St. Margaret’s from 1904 to 1921.

1923 – The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet arrive to form the teaching staff. St. Joseph’s School opens with six grades the first year, adding grades 7 & 8 in the two succeeding years. Sr. Agnes Aloysius Thompson is principal. The other sisters are Sister Cosmos Shea, Sister Mary Magdeline Swoboda, Sister Marie Celeste Delage, Sister Theresa Louise McGuire and Sister Carlos Eue, who taught music. There were 125 students enrolled that year in grades 1 – 6. St. Mary’s Church, at 51- 6th Ave. So. in Hopkins, was built in 1895. Fr. Benjamin Audus was pastor of St. Mary’s from 1913 to 1921. is the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul since 1919. The Pope at that time was Benedict XV, since 1914.

1925 – Fr. Charles Portele is named assistant at St. Joseph’s.

1928 – The name of the Village of West Minneapolis is changed to Hopkins.

1929 – Sr. Claudia Keane is named principal of St. Joseph’s School.

1934 – The first Raspberry Festival is organized in Hopkins. School enrollment is now at 250 (double what it was when it opened!). Organizations in the Church are The Holy Name Society, Altar Society, Dramatic Society, Cecilian Choristers, Young Ladies Sodality, Catholic Boy Scouts, Catholic

Workmen, and Knights of Columbus.

THE 1930s 1935 – Sr. Agnes Claire Rickard is named principal of the school. The Knights of Columbus begin an annual production of “Minstrel Shows” to raise the spirits of everyone feeling the effects of the Great Depression.

1936 – Fr. Stanley Skluzacek is named assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s.

1939 – Pius XII is elected Pope. The Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary is organized for women at St. Joseph’s.

1931 – is named Archbishop of St. Paul. Because of the Great Depression, THE 1940s Minneapolis Moline Power Implement Company closes for four years, leaving many Hopkins 1940 – Sr. Francis Carmel Treacy becomes residents out of work. This nearly results in the principal of the school. The idea of building the closing of St. Joseph’s School. new Church is considered, as Fr. Hovorka encourages the purchase of War Bonds in the name of St. Joseph’s Church.

1932 – Fr. Hovorka announces that the school will 1943 – Fr. Stanley Srnec and Fr. T. Redden take close unless $6,500.00 can be raised immediately. short terms as assistant before Fr. Francis A valiant effort by those parishioners with jobs Hayes is named assistant. springs into action. A banquet, with Archbishop Murray as honored guest, kicks off the solicitation 1944 – Fr. Hovorka sends a letter to the parish, program. The campaign raises $1000 over the goal asking for an increase in giving to raise money for necessary to keep the school open. Sr. Bernard the new church, with the target date for building as Dunphy is named principal of the school. Fr. 1949 or 1950. Joseph P. Vacek is named assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s for four years. 1946 – Of the 810 families now registered at St. Joseph’s, 120 families are transferred to the new parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Minnetonka. Sr. Emile McDonald becomes principal of St. students enrolled in St. Joseph’s School and only 9 Joseph’s School. The Women’s Club organizes at classrooms, that makes 50 students per room. The St. Joseph’s. The Knights of Columbus celebrate Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (C.C.D.) begins their Silver Anniversary with a banquet at the Junior a long tradition of organizing discussion clubs. 26 High Auditorium. discussion clubs were formed between 1955 and 1964. There’s a rumor that one club is still meeting 1949 – Hopkins becomes a city by adopting a city (in 2001)! charter. Fr. Joseph Kiley, Fr. Harry Majerus, Fr. Bernard Flynn and Fr. Harry Towey take short terms as assistant pastors at St. Joseph’s. Nine sisters are teaching eight grades at St. Joseph’s School, with an enrollment of 340. (That makes 42 students in a class!)

1949 Confirmation Photo (3 classes at once) 1954 – Our beautiful new church of St. Joseph is completed in late spring. The “Stations of the Cross” from the temporary church are installed in THE 1950S the new church. A dedication ceremony with Archbishop Murray is celebrated on June 20. But 1950 – Membership at St. Joseph’s again reaches Fr. Hovorka offers Masses for the parishioners in 810 families, of which105 families are transferred the new Church as early May 16. He rushed things to the new parish of St. John’s in Interlachen Park a little, so that that year’s First Communion could in Hopkins. Fr. M. Zawalnicki takes a short term as be celebrated there. Some dinners, maybe even that assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s. year’s Fall Festival, were served in the Social Hall’s dirt floor, until the floor was laid. The total bill for 1951 – Fr. Francis Hayden takes a short term as the new church was $500,000. assistant pastor until Fr. John Brown is named assistant.

1952 – Sr. Clarinda Kieffer becomes principal of St. Joseph’s school.

1953 – Ground is finally broken for the new St. Joseph’s Church building on April 26. Fr. Hovorka bargains with the City of Hopkins to move 13th Avenue South over “1 lot” to give more room for the church. The Knights of Columbus lodge room (a room in the School building) is converted into a classroom. The K.C.s purchase another building in town. The baby boom is obvious. With 450

1955 - Fr. Charles Hovorka dies, and Fr. Joseph P. Vacek becomes the second pastor of St. Joseph, a position he holds for 20 years. Four classrooms are added to the school, at a cost of $153,000.

1956 – William O. Brady is named Archbishop of St. Paul. Fr. Alvin Simon is named assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s. Rummage Sales are started at St. 1959 First Communion Joseph’s. A huge debt-reduction campaign is kicked off. 1961 – is named Archbishop of St. Paul. Sr. Karen Wadsworth becomes principal of the school.

1962 – The old rectory was demolished and the new rectory was built. Vatican Council II begins in Rome, and continues until 1965. Fr. Patrick Dooley is named assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s.

1963 – Paul VI is elected Pope. 1958 – The colored windows were added to the Church, paid for through donations. The convent 1964 – St. Joseph’s Parish Council is established. was enlarged to house the 13 sisters then living Fr. Gordon Hoffman is named assistant pastor. He there (built to house 8!). John XXIII begins his 5 is very popular with youth, sponsoring summer year term as pope. Sr. Norbertine Farrell becomes canoe trips to the Boundary Waters. principal of St. Joseph’s School. 1966 – Pope Paul VI confers the title of Monsignor on Fr. Vacek. Fr. Richard Jeub is named assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s. Sr. Margaret Mary Belanger becomes principal of St. Joseph’s School.

1967 – Leo Byrne is named Coadjutor Archbishop of St. Paul. Fr. Eugene Burke is named assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s.

1968 – Fr. Edward Chmielewski is named associate pastor at St. Joseph’s.

1969 – St. Joseph’s School consolidates with St. 1959 – St. Joseph’s Parish Library is established by John’s and Immaculate Heart of Mary schools, and Margaret Kienzle. Four more classrooms are added is called Hopkins Consolidated Parochial Schools. to the school, at a cost of $160,000. School Fr. Joseph Pinkosh is named associate pastor at St. enrollment peaks at 700, with 100 on the waiting Joseph’s. St. Joseph’s hires its first Religious list! Even with the addition of 8 new classrooms, Education Director, Patrick Roche. class sizes are between 41 and 43. THE 1970s THE 1960s 1970 – Rev. Mr. Thomas McKenna serves as 1960 – The Nocturnal Adoration Society is deacon-intern. established (the first in ). 1971 – Fr. Leonard Nelson is named associate pastor at St. Joseph’s. 1990 – St. Joseph’s hires its first Parish 1972 – Fr. John Parkos is named associate pastor. Administrator, Thomas Cramer. Fr. John M. Long is named the fifth pastor of St. Joseph’s. 1974 – Fr. Martin Beckman is named associate pastor. 1991 – St. Joseph’s begins participation in the Interfaith Hospitality Network (later called Families 1975 – Fr. John T. Bauer is named the third pastor Moving Forward), a ministry to the homeless. of St. Joseph’s, a three year term. John R. Roach is named Archbishop of St. Paul. 1992 – Fr. Stan Mader is named parochial vicar.

1978 – John Paul I is elected Pope. John Paul II, 1994 – Fr. John Snell is named parochial vicar. our current Pope, is elected. Fr. Richard F. Skluzacek is named the fourth pastor of St. 1995 – Harry Flynn is named Archbishop of St. Joseph’s, a 12 year term. Paul.

1979 – St. Joseph’s hires its first Youth Minister, 1996 – Mark Underdahl, a parishioner, is ordained Bob Barnes, through the Archdiocesan ManAlive to the priesthood, and celebrates his first at St. Program. Joseph’s. An elevator is added to St. Joseph’s Church. We become a “one-priest” parish. Deacon THE 1980s Francis Tangney chooses St. Joseph’s for his assignment. 1980 – Fr. John Sowada is named associate pastor. The name of Hopkins Consolidated Parochial 1997 – St. Joseph’s celebrates its 75th Anniversary. School is changed to School. 1999 – St. Joseph’s hires its first Stewardship and 1982 – St. Joseph’s hires its first full-time Music Development Director, Mary Cordell. and Liturgy Director, Mike Mullen, and its first Pastoral Minister, Marge Taylor.

1983 – St. Joseph’s begins participation in the Loaves and Fishes program.

1984 – Fr. Steve Ulrich is named parochial vicar.

1986 – St. Joseph’s begins participation in the RENEW Program, a very successful program of small group faith sharing.

1987 – Monsignor Joseph Vacek dies, and is the first priest buried in St. Margaret’s Cemetery.

1988 – Fr. Michael Monogue is named parochial vicar.

1989 – St. Joseph’s Daycare opens in the vacant convent building. Cindy Bauer is the first Daycare Director.

THE 1990s