History
The Church Community was established in 1889 when a small wooden frame church was built. Mass was being said in parishioners homes several years before the church was built. There were other churches in the immediate area. St. Anne’s about 2 miles East of Watkins, Old St. Nicholas about 6 miles North, and a church in Logering (German word for popple bush) about 4 miles West of Watkins. The present church was built in 1912 on the site of the old frame church which was moved off its foundations. A wooden frame school was built in 1906 and was served by the Benedictine Sister of St. Joseph until May of 1995 when it closed because of small classes and lack of funds.
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There were several priests ordained who grew up in Watkins:
- Rev. Nick Wirtzberger – 1912
- Rev. Nick Donnay - 1917
- Rev. Bernard Schreiner – 1942. Retired to Watkins Manor April 1996 and Died March 15, 2009
- Rev. Joseph Bates – 1947. Missionary priest died Jan. 25, 1995
- Rev. Joseph Linn – 1950. Diocese of St. Cloud. Deceased.
- Rev. Raymond Donnay – 1950. Diocese of St. Cloud. Died April 20, 2010.
- Rev. Richard Gross – 1962. Retired in Watkins.
- Rev. Ronald Huberty
- Rev. Anthony Hesse
- Rev. David Hennen
One young man from Watkins took vows as a Brother: Harold Gabrelick.
Twelve Sisters Namely:
- Sr. Scholastica Maus – 1927
- Sr. Catherine Ashfeld - 1929
- Sr. Mary Gertrude Maus - 1929
- Sr. Mary Jane Linn – 1945
- Sr. Julia Maus – 1949
- Sr. Emily Donnay – 1950
- Sr. Colleen Haggerty – 1953
- Sr. Sheila Rausch – 1954
- Sr. Marline Meierhofer – 1959
- Sr. LaVonne Schackman – 1968
- Sr. Josepha Dockendorf – 1970
- Sr. Mary Giovannni Becker – No date - Died 1995
The Following Served as Pastors of St. Anthony:
1. Rev Paul Schmid
2. Rev Alois Kastigar
3. Rev Anthony Vilman
4. Rev. J.R. Roemer
5. Rev Vincent Bozja
6. Rev. J. L. Westfall
7. Rev. Edward Clemens
8. Rev. Joseph M. Kasel
9. Rev. Celestine Pistulka
10 Rev George V. Schmit
11 Rev. Robert P. Clark
12 Rev. William A. Sprigler
13 Rev. Richard C. Gross
14 Rev. Frank Garvey
15 Rev. John H. Brunner
Associate Pastors were:
Rev. James Barry (1961-1962)
Rev. John H. Brunner (1962–1967)