"A community committed to welcoming, stewardship and evangelizing since 1868."
To share your memories - please email Jodee Korkowski at Jodeestnicholas@embarqmail.com
“The view from the church hill is still etched in my memory. The Minnesota River Valley is an entrancing site…Perhaps the most significant event during my years at St. Nicholas was the building of the Parish Center. The cooperation of several key parishioners and the many other hands that made the building possible was remarkable. Without this wonderful spirit, the building would never exist today…One enduring memory I have of my stay in Carver and Chaska is the cold weather. Only missed getting up the hill once in six years!”
Father Evan Eckhoff, O.F.M. (1969-1976)
“Since it (St. Nicholas) is my home-town parish, you can imagine all the memories it has for me! As a very small boy, I often stayed overnight with my grandparents in what is now the parish house. I went to religion class there. I often served mass even on weekdays of cold and snow. Many a time, I cut grass around the church and in the old cemetery. During the flood of 1952, my parents and I found refuge for the summer in the parish house. I helped plant apple trees. There are so many memories. During my years in preparation for the priesthood, I would regularly stop by my hometown parish. I am happy to be an ordained son of the parish.
The other day as I strolled through the cemetery, I recognized the names of so many old friends and relatives too. There was before me the stone of Father Bertrand Koch, O.F.M.; he had told me he had wanted to be buried right there in the parish. It felt good to remember and pray for so many good parishioners whose lives of joy and love and suffering were intertwined with my own.
Life continues. It is beautiful to see the present-day life and improvements in the parish. It is so good to see the young people grow to spiritual maturity and responsibility amid all the challenges today.”
Father Thomas Ess, O.F.M., former parishioner on St. Nicholas’ 125th Anniversary