The photograph featured this week is from the museum’s collection. It is a postcard featuring a photograph of the Catholic Church in Russell. The old Russell school building (built in 1897 and closed in 1920 when the present school building opened) and outhouses are shown in the photograph behind the church building. The postcard was not used for it is not postmarked and there is no message or address on the back. However, there is an interesting message written on the front of the postcard. At some point, someone wrote: “Has been no Mass in this church for 3 years. Catholics all left.” This interesting message led me to look up the Catholic Church’s history in Russell.

The following information on the Catholic Church’s history in Russell is from the Russell Centennial book, which was published in 1988. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church was built in 1905 in Russell. Father Coyle of Lake Benton held services in the beginning of the church’s history. There was a large congregation and membership until the early 1920s. During the early years, the congregation did not always meet on Sunday, but posted the service schedules in the paper. The church also sponsored many festivals in order to raise money to support the church.

In 1913, the church became a mission church of Marshall. When the new Catholic Church in Marshall was built, it drew the Russell members to Marshall and in 1923, the church in Russell was abandoned. The Lutheran Congregation held their services in the building until their church was ready for use. In 1933, the building was converted to a house and in 1934, the town bought the property. The municipal water tower stands on the site.

The 7th annual indoor Christmas Tree Walk and the Heritage Room Christmas Display featuring over 60 nativity scenes are on view at the museum through New Years’ Eve. The Lyon County Historical Society is a non-profit, member-supported organization. For more information on membership, research, volunteering, or the museum’s collection, please contact us at 537-6580 or director@lyoncomuseum.org. Like our page and follow us on Facebook.