Our Lady of Grace (Edina)

Our Lady of Grace (OLG) is one of two Roman Catholic churches and a parochial school located in Edina, Minnesota. The pastor is Fr. Bob Schwartz assisted by parochial vicar Fr. Matthew Ehmke and Deacon Tony Pasko. The school principal is Maureen Trenary. The parish is governed by the pastor with assistance from an elected parish council.

Parish History

Fr. Louis Forrey offered the inaugural Mass on February 17, 1946 on the stage of the historic Edina Theater. In 1948 construction began at the current campus and on May 29, 1949 the first Mass was said in the basement chapel at that location. Construction continued and the new school was dedicated by Archbishop Murray on November 20, 1949. In 1957 a school addition, new convent and new church were built. Following Vatican II that church was remodeled. In 1978 the first permanent deacon, Don Pendergast, was appointed. In 1986 the current church and addition was built and the old church was remodeled into a gymnasium for the school. The church celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1996 with a yearlong celebration including an outdoor Mass. 2001 saw another school addition. In 2006 the parish celebrated its 60th anniversary with a mass concelebrated with Archbishop Harry Flynn, a swing dance and outdoor picnic.

Pastors

* Fr. Louis W. Forrey (1946-1967)
* Fr. Joseph L. Baglio (1967-1976)
* Fr. Paul G. Slattery (1976-1978)
* Fr. Eugene A. Pouliot (1978-1985)
* Fr. Robert T. Cassidy (1985-2002)
* Fr. Bob Schwartz (2002-Present)

Assisting Pastors

*Fr. Robert Valit (-2000)
*Fr. Christopher Beaudet (2000-2003)
*Fr. Kevin Mealey (2003-2004)
*Fr. Paul Jarvis (2004-2006)
*Fr. Erich Rutten (2006-2007)
*Fr. Matthew Ehmke (2007 - Present)
*Fr. Jerome Fehn (-Present)

chool

Our Lady of Grace parish school opened its doors in 1949. The school includes grades K-8 and is recognized for excellence in academics. Principal Maureen Trenary taught middle school for six years in the 1980s and returned as principal in 1991. The school is governed by the pastor and principal in consultation with an elected parish school board.

External links

* [http://www.olgparish.org Our Lady of Grace Parish Website]
* [http://www.olgschool.net Our Lady of Grace School Website]

References

* [http://www.olgparish.org Our Lady of Grace Parish Website]
* OLG Parish Directory (1996 edition)
* OLG Parish Directory (2003 edition) published by [http://churchdirectories.olanmills.com Olan Mills Church Directories]