St. Mary Parish, Richardton, ND was established in December of 1896. For almost two decades before, Catholic priests came through now and then and provided for the spiritual needs of the Catholics in the area. During the fall of 1899, the Benedictine monks relocated their monastery from Devils Lake, ND to Richardton. Since that time, the monks have provided for the pastoral needs of the people of St. Mary Parish.

The official title of the parish is "Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary" with its feast day celebrated on December 8.  From the beginning it has been affectionately known as "St. Mary."  Parishioners are proud of the impressive Bavarian Romanesque church building with its unique twin towers which they share with the Benedictine monks.  It is a partnership they appreciate and enjoy.  The 4 beautiful bells have been calling parishioners to Mass since 1908.  Parishioners work together to host the annual Chicken Dinner, provide funeral luncheons, the spring cemetery cleanup and other activities. 

The parish celebrates 125 years in 2021 and has a proud history of education (St. Mary School 1905 -1998), music (choirs of various memberships since 1908) and a Fall Chicken dinner since the 1940's.  Original membership was mostly Germans from Russia, Germans from Hungary with a few Irish mixed in.  Today it is more diverse but still has a strong German Russian component.  

St. Mary has approximately 225 households (400+ individuals) with an active Religious Education program serving over 60 students from Sts. Mary and Stephen parishes, Knights of Columbus Council, Catholic Daughters Court, the Christian Mothers Society and other spiritual opportunities.  Parishioners work together to host the annual Chicken Dinner, provide funeral luncheons, perform a spring cemetery cleanup, make homemade noodles and strudels for the fall and spring dinners, and do other projects. 

The Parish Council hosts a "Soup & Stations" for the parishioners and the Rel. Ed. program twice each Lent featuring homemade soups and breads followed by praying the Stations of the Cross.  A parish mission is held every other year; parishioner-led Bible studies are done fall and spring and often the pastor provides enrichment classes or RCIA.   

The Christian Mothers have been active since 1914, making it the oldest organization in the parish.  Their main ministry is to pray for our children and the holiness of our families. They meet approximately 5 times a year for a short program and socializing.  They also provide a bake sale at the Richardton "Little Opry Land Days" and a raffle at the annual Fall Dinner.  

The Knights of Columbus Council meets monthly, sponsors many events in the parish, and wider community as well as participating in national programs.  They help with the annual Fall Chicken Dinner, sponsor their annual Cajun Turkey Supper (with the Catholic Daughters) and the annual Parish Picnic (with the Parish Council).  Their presence in the parish and their many hours of volunteer service throughout the parish and community are invaluable. St. Mary has its own Council with St. Stephen as an affiliate Club.  St. Thomas has it's own Council. 

The Catholic Daughters are a vibrant, energetic group of ladies who provide various service projects including gift baskets for newborns, making baby blankets with our Religious Education students, hosting an annual "Festival of Tables" and co-sponoring the Cajun Turkey Supper.  The monthly meetings begin with the Rosary and include a spiritual growth component, concluding with a luncheon and socializing.  Members are from all 3 parishes.  

The Ministry of Praise is a prayer program geared for the senior members of the parishes.  A spiritual letter from the pastor is sent to them monthly with 7 intercessions to pray for each month.  They are remembered with a birthday card from the pastor.  Members are from all 3 parishes. 

The Prayer Chain is a network of parishioners from Sts. Mary, Stephen and Thomas who pray for special intentions and needs as they arise. 

A book containing the baptisms, marriages and deaths from St. Mary parish available at the parish office for $20.00 or by mail for $23.00  (Make checks payable to: St. Mary Parish.) It contains the same information for Sts. Stephen (Stark County), Thomas (Gladstone) and Philipp (Hirschville).