1906: Romanesque, twin-tower church erected on site of old church.
1915: Second school building opens on Steele Avenue.
1917: Father (later Monsignor) Bernard J. Beckmeyer becomes pastor, a position he will hold for 50 years.
1921: Austin pipe organ dedicated.
1932: Congregation peaks at 900 families, with a record 155,000 communions.
1958: Communions drop below 100,000 for first time since 1923 as construction of U.S. 35 begins and families flee to suburbs.
1971: Last graduating class from St. Mary Grade School.
1983: St. Mary Church placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
1994: St. Mary Development Corp. turns old school into community center and opens 100 units of senior housing on former playground.
Today: Congregation numbers 200 families on eve of 150th anniversary.
Sources: Parish history booklets.
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