About Us:

Catholic history in Wabasha/Kellogg area began over 170 years before St. Felix Church was formally incorporated as a Catholic parish in October 1858. Historians agree that as early as 1680 Father Louis Hennepin journeyed by canoe up the Mississippi River through the Wabasha/Kellogg area. Mass was believed to be first offered in the area in 1683 when a Jesuit Father Joseph Jean Marest travelled with Nicholas Perrot to establish a trading post at Wabasha. A small chapel was first built in 1850 on upper Main Street in Wabasha.

With the large population growth experienced, efforts began in 1858 to build a new church building on land donated at the site of present St. Felix cemetery. This church was rebuilt at the site of the former Notre Dame convent in 1862 because of concerns that it was too far from the city center. The church was given the name St. Felix. A new parsonage was built in 1874 and the ground floor of the church was remodeled for a residence for the nuns who were to conduct the new parish parochial school being established. On September 1, 1874 the School Sisters of Notre Dame arrived to teach in the new school. The enrollment in 1872 was 71 pupils.

Over the following years, several other church buildings were built and efforts by the parish to build a hospital and orphanage were realized. The parish continued to thrive during the difficult times of the Depression and World War II.

More recently, St. Felix entered into a cluster arrangement with St. Agnes Church and the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Kellogg. St. Felix Grade school was expanded, adding a pre-school and kindergarten program. Faith formation (CCD) programs were expanded and strengthened. An adult faith formation program was instituted. A parish council was elected and the role of the laity in liturgical functions were expanded.