St. Francis Xavier Church began as a mission church in 1884. A lot for the church was donated by Thomas Canfield. It was situated near the public school, lots 11 and 12, section 36 of Canfield’s First Addition. This would have been on what is now 5th Street. It was quite a church for the times, for it cost about $1,000 when completed.
Many Missionaries served the church throughout those early years. Finally, Bishop Corbett urged Father Adam Junghams of Frazee to take definite charge of the Mission. He ministered relentlessly in all kinds of weather from 1921 to 1939.
Bishop Peschges appointed Rev. J. A. Bisson as the first chaplain of St. Mary’s Hospital. He was also installed as pastor of St. Francis Xavier. Fr. Bisson had been a ministry assistant in Ponteix, Saskatchewan in a church which seated 1,200 people. His first Mass here in September, 1939 was attended by 13.
A desire began for a larger church in a new location. In 1940, 5 acres of land was purchased from John Nelson.
July 16, 1941 was quite a day in Lake Park. The Old Catholic Mission Church and a Lutheran Church were both slowly moved from the north side of town to the site of our present church. Many townspeople watched and wondered if the bridge would hold that load. The saying in town was that Fr. Bisson would have a new church and the town would have a new bridge. The buildings made it to their destination. They were spliced together to form one new church. A new parish house was also being built next to the church. The church building served the parish of St. Francis Xavier until 1966.
April 18, 1966 began a new chapter in our history. The old church which served for 82 years, was demolished. Construction began on “a new sturdy, fireproof permanent structure of concrete and brick”. Mass was held at Eksjo Lutheran Church during part of the construction period. Bishop Glenn officiated the dedication of the new building on April 19, 1967.
Fr. Bisson remained at St. Francis Xavier and St. Mary of the Lakes until his unexpected death on September 3, 1970.
The parish house was replaced in 1978 with a new house attached to the church. In the fall of 2014, an addition was added to the north side of the church that included handicap accessible restrooms, a kitchenette, and a large gathering space.
“Whatever they are—churches are built to answer the needs of a congregation and to meet the budget within the scope of time and the generosity of the people concerned. Regardless of its shape, color or materials, it is a house of prayer, a house of peace, of brotherly gatherings sharing God’s blessings, and worship of our heavenly Father and his beloved Son, our Lord and Redeemer.” Rev. J. A. Bisson
Excerpts taken from, “A combined history of Lake Park and St. Francis Xavier Parish and Mission 1984 – 1956 and The Lake Park Journal.”
The parish has only one purpose for its existence – to continue the mission of Jesus. Its primary goal is to help every member grow to the fullness of his or her Christian vocation.
One of the many pleasant discoveries in the new Code of Canon Law is the definition which gives for a diocese and for a parish, both along the same lines: a) a portion of God’s people, whose pastoral care is entrusted to – b) a single public servant (bishop or priest). A parish is not a place where, but a people who. Understanding the church as ”the people of God” has awakened the laity to a crucial role: the responsibility of all the baptized – clergy, religious, and laity together – to continue the mission of Jesus here on earth. Baptism confers inalienable rights and duties to this end. We are one people, with one faith, one baptism and one God, the Father of us all.