History

Holy Cross Parish in Marty, Minnesota, near Pearl Lake, has been a cornerstone of the community since the late 19th century, with a frame church built around 1875. The parish, which serves as a center for Catholic tradition and community life, grew to have a parish school established in 1904. The town of Marty was named in honor of Bishop Martin Marty after he passed away while visiting to dedicate the church.

Key Historical Details

• Establishment: The parish was established in the 1870s, with a 30×60 frame church built shortly after Joseph Zeis donated 20 acres of land.
• Expansion: The church was enlarged and dedicated in 1876 by Bishop Seidenbusch. A new, much larger church (60×150) was built in 1899-1900.
• School: Holy Cross School was founded in 1904. The school offered education for over a century before being closed in 2021.
• Community: The parish is closely linked to the history of Pearl Lake and has acted as a spiritual and social center, described by locals as a tight-knit family.
• Parish Name: The parish was named Holy Cross because of its association with the, then, new Diocese of St. Cloud and the missionary work in the area.
• Present Day: While the school has closed, the parish continues to serve the local community.

The parish remains a vibrant part of the local community, preserving its rich history while adapting to modern needs.

The Holy Cross parish has been a part of the Marty and Pearl Lake community since 1897. Holy Cross School was founded in 1904. Closed 2021

PEARL LAKE.

Church of the Holy Cross. A frame church, 36 by 76, and costing about $1,700, was built in section 9, west of Pearl lake, in the township of Maine Prairie, in 1889, and was dedicated on September 26, of the same year by Bishop Seidenbusch. A congregation was organized the same year. The first church was destroyed by the cyclone of June 27, 1894, but was replaced by another of the same dimensions, which was used for the first time by Rev. Isidore Hengarten on September 30, 1894. After its completion it was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph P. Bauer, September 15, 1896, during Bishop Marty’s last illness, which prevented him from performing the act.

The church was originally known as St. Lawrence church; recently its title has been changed to that of church of the Holy Cross. From the time of its organization the place was visited by priests from St. Wendel or from St. Nicholas, but there is a resident priest since 1909.