Stories from the First Cathedral 42

Last week I mentioned the Whipple family moving to Faribault, MN. Henry and Cornelia were provided a home for themselves and six children. The home was across the street from the Cathedral, North and on the corner.

Bishop Whipple and family were not the first white people to move into the area. Alexander Faribault was the first recorded European to make  contact with the Indigenous people who lived near the Straight River. Mr. Faribault was a Roman Catholic fur trader and businessman who welcomed the presence of Bishop Henry Whipple.

Other white Episcopal missionary clergy entered the scene in Faribault before Bishop Whipple. In 1854, Fr Wilcoxson, Dr. Breck and Bishop Jackson Kemper traveled through St. Paul to visit potential missionary work in Faribault.

The first Episcopal service was held on December 16, 1855 at the home of Mr. Thomas Y. Santell. In the summer of 1857, Dr. Breck, Fr Manney and Fr Peake thought Faribault would be a good site for a church and school. 

Bishop Whipple was not the first clergy or white person to come among the Indigenous people in the beautiful landscape of the Straight River with its bluffs and rolling hills. There were pioneer people of different Christian faiths and those without any belief system who loved this area of south central Minnesota. Bishop Whipple was unique in his taking residence. Once settled in Faribault he had the ambition to promote a Cathedral, schools of various kinds, and activities which promoted growth and excitement in the area.