ORISKA, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – 115 years ago, the cornerstone of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church was put in place, Bishop John Shanley (the first bishop of the Diocese of Fargo) preformed the ceremony dedicating the construction start of the new structure in Oriska, North Dakota on July 31st, 1908. Three month later on November 11th, 1908, Bishop Shanley and several priests held a dedication of the new St. Bernard’s Church.
On Sunday, July 16th, 2023 the Most Rev. Bishop John Folda of the Diocese of Fargo, will perform the final Mass at 2:30pm. The church will be closed, the precious artifacts inside will be going to other Catholic churches and the building will be torn down later this year. Right now the church has less then 20 parishioners.
Pastor Fr. Brian Bachmeier will continue to serve St. Agatha’s Church in Hope, ND and Sacred Heart Church in Sanborn, ND following the closing of St. Bernard’s Church in Oriska, ND.
