Page "South St. Paul, Minnesota" Paragraph 20

Due to a dramatic population increase in South St. Paul following World War II, another Catholic Parish was needed in the area.

St. John Vianney Parish was established on July 5, 1946 as the third Catholic parish in South St. Paul, under the direction of Father Harold Whittet.

Because no church or school had been built at establishment, the parish rented the pavilion at Kaposia Park and held its first Mass there on July 28, 1946.

Groundbreaking ceremonies took place on August 5, 1946 and the original makeshift church was constructed from two Army barracks.

The church opened for its first Mass on the Easter Vigil, April 5, 1947.

Shortly after, a roller-skating rink was built in the basement of the church to raise money to build an actual church building.