Berghold memorial project nearing completion
final fund drive in process
by George Glotzbach,
Fr. Alexander Berghold Publicity Committee member
In early 2002, the Fr.
Alexander Berghold Committee, under the direction of
Bishop John C. Nienstedt, officially launched a Capital Campaign to preserve
the memory of Fr. Alexander Berghold, a missionary
priest and a central figure in the building, development, and history of the
New Ulm area and the Diocese of New Ulm in the late 1880’s to 1900’s.
Last November, a striking new
71/2 foot tall statue of Fr. Alexander Berghold was
erected and blessed by Bishop Nienstedt. From the vantage point of the 1400
block of 5th North Street in New Ulm, (on a triangle piece of land known as Loretto Park located near the entrance to the Way of the
Cross) the statue overlooks the institutions Fr. Berghold
created during his tenure as first pastor of Holy Trinity Parish beginning in
1868: the Church (1890) which is now the Cathedral of the Diocese of New Ulm;
St. Michael’s Apartments (1872) built as a convent for the Sisters of Christian
Charity; three newer buildings comprising the New Ulm Area Catholic School
system (1874); the New Ulm Medical Center which began as St. Alexander’s
Hospital (1883); and the Way of the Cross Shrine (1904).
Now it is time to complete
The overall project is now
about $20,000 short of the total required. Readers interested in helping are
asked to send their tax-deductible contributions to: Alexander Berghold Memorial Fund,
It is hoped the park will be
completed soon so it can be dedicated in 2007, the 50th Anniversary of the Diocese of New
A brochure telling the story of Fr. Berghold’s
life and explaining the fundraising efforts is available from the New Ulm
Chamber of Commerce, 1 North Minnesota, Box 384, New Ulm, MN 56073; at local
Catholic churches, or the Diocesan
Pastoral Center, 1400 6th Street North,
New