St. Rose has stood as a graceful symbol of our past amid a changing world for 132 years. After months of quiet anticipation, prisms of colored light illuminated every surface once again as all eight stained glass windows were returned to St. Rose completely restored.

Several restoration goals were achieved during 2009 thanks to the generosity of dozens of supporters and volunteer help. We shared these milestones and our future aspirations with a full church during our 7th Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony held on December 20, 2009. A beautiful winter wedding was held at St. Rose the day before the Candle Lighting and a picturesque wedding was celebrated on the first day of spring. An upcoming wedding is scheduled for this fall.

The response to the stained glass window restoration was overwhelming as multiple families and individuals became sponsors. The names of each of these sponsors and their specified memorials will be inscribed on a small plaque at each window. The marine plywood covers that had protected the stained glass windows for over forty years were replaced with new white storm window covers that are much easier for one person to remove and later re-install for events.

Many people have complimented the restored entrance enclosure. This structure was pulled back into position with cables and stabilized by Marv Bronner. Volunteers spent days meticulously sanding the original wood siding last summer followed by an oil primer and two top coats of fresh paint.

Restoration of the front enclosure motivated us to focus our sights upward toward the steeple and address it’s esthetical need for paint. The steeple will be restored back to its original design including wooden louvers and lattice surrounding the base level and a cross at the top of the spire. The inside of the bell tower received some much needed attention that only a few brave souls with no fear of heights observed first hand.

The most labor intensive project we face in the future, and the most costly, is tuck pointing. Most of the facade is in stable condition but closer inspection revealed that many areas are also in critical need of repair. We plan to address these critical areas first to ensure stability until ample funding for complete tuck pointing becomes available.

Painting began this winter to restore the trompe l’oeil murals that once graced the walls of the sanctuary through the volunteer artistic talents of Helen Distad. This includes the original ribbon of scripture, dentil molding, columns and architectural designs on the wall behind the altar. We look forward to sharing this and all of our restoration progress with you.

We would like to recognize past board members for their participation and many contributions over the years and introduce you to our newest members. After serving seven years, Scott Groth and Kay Williams both stepped down in 2009. Most recently, Tom Sundry stepped down in 2010 after serving on our board for eight years. Many of our recent accomplishments were several years in the making and the efforts of these original board members helped build this non-profit into what it is today. We thank them for their dedication and warmly welcome our newest board members, John Perra, Rick Keane, Kelly Ronningen, Jerry Vettel, and Carol Nelson. We look forward to the fresh perspective and renewed energy that will provided for the preservation of St. Rose.

We thank you for your support and hope you enjoy the following pages of progress in this newsletter. May our efforts allow our descendants to experience this tangible piece of our pioneer past and rural history for many generations to come.