I'm Here
We, the Church of Saint Boniface, as a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Saint Cloud that has been served by Benedictine monks and Sisters since its founding in 1878, participate in the mission of the Church given by the Lord Jesus to proclaim His Gospel and make disciples of all nations, to welcome these new disciples in praying and hospitable community, and to provide on-going formation in the discipleship of Jesus Christ. As a community of faith, we look to Saint Boniface as a model for how to live our mission. Boniface, a Benedictine monk, became the missionary sent to proclaim the Gospel to the Germanic lands.
As a monk, Boniface would have taken the vows of conversatio, stability, and obedience. Conversatio reminds us that we must daily choose to follow Christ as His disciples. Stability challenges us to be rooted and centered in the person of Jesus Christ through His Church, founded on the rock of Saint Peter. Obedience calls us to listen to the voice of Jesus, even as He speaks through the poor, the immigrant, and the stranger.
As Saint Benedict reminds his followers, we seek to receive everyone who comes to us as though he or she is Christ Himself (RB 53).
As a missionary, Saint Boniface faced the challenge of making the Gospel relevant to the Germanic people. After some failed attempts at evangelization, he was finally able to preach the Gospel in a way that converted tribes and nations, and, through his leadership, was able to establish the Church in Germany. In his life as a missionary, we see ourselves who have been entrusted with this same Gospel to share it with all we encounter, taking heart when we fail, so that led by the Holy Spirit, we may bring others to Christ through His Church.
Centered on Christ
Catholic Community
History
On May 21, 1911, Bishop James Trobec granted approval to approximately 35 families to build a Catholic Church in Rockville. Dinners, bazaars, and raffles were held to raise money to build the church. Rev. Hubert Gunderman, the pastor of Luxemburg, provided spiritual guidance for the new church and it was incorporated as Mary of the Immaculate Conception. The 48x84 foot church, which cost $10,872 was built on land that was donated. Looking to the future, the church was built to hold 325 adults with room for 100 more in the choir loft. Much of the labor was provided by parishioners and friends. Everyone helped to build the church which became a community project.
The cornerstone was designed from a huge boulder from the basement excavation. The cornerstone was blessed and laid on September 9, 1911, by Father Hubert Gunderman, pastor of St. Wendelin in Luxemburg. Today the cornerstone is framed in the north side wall of the narthex.
Father Gunderman arrived by a cutter from Luxemburg to celebrate the first Mass on December 8, 1911, the Patroness’ Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Fr. Julius Lochnikar, OSB, was the first pastor in Rockville, serving from 1912–1921.
In 1991, a Parish Center was built and the church basement was converted into the religious education center for faith formation classes.
In 2004, the narthex addition was added to the front of the church.