Saint John the Baptist Catholic Parish
Excelsior, Minnesota

To celebrate its centennial, the Catholic Parish of Saint John the Baptist of Excelsior published a history of the church and its people. In this book, you will read about the events that shaped the Parish since its founding in 1903.

The early years
The dynamic Father Joseph Busch led a Mission Band to Excelsior and served as the first pastor, followed by Father Thomas Cushen, sent to the parish by the lake because of his poor health and staying nearly fifty years.

The buildings
As Excelsior grew from a small village into a lively suburban community, the Parish answered the challenge of a growing population with major building projects, ranging from the cemetery, the school, and the new church to more recent expansions such as the Gathering Place.

Its people
Read biographical sketches of the priests and parishioners. Learn about the two pastors who went on to become bishops. Share reminiscences about the response to Vatican II, cathecism lessons under Father Cushen, and the magnificent liturgies.

We worked with a parish committee for more than a year, sorting through family photographs, diocesan archives, and oral history interviews.

The book is only available through the Saint John the Baptist Catholic Parish.