After many years dating back to 1887 and 1910 a group of catholic pioneers struggling to have a church of their own, a dream of reality came true on September 18, 1910 when Father Joseph Kern was sent to be the first pastor to serve the Rugby, North Dakota parish, with four missions: Berwick, Towner, Granville, Johannasthal (10 miles SE of Rugby). At this start the church was St. Cyrinus. March 1913, Fr. Gerald Wilke, was sent to serve Rugby. He stayed only three months. Then Fr. Ludwig Doering came and after two years he left for reasons of poor health.

June 1915, Fr. James Theil came and remained for 9 years. During his tenure, the parish grew. That year they rented a house for the rectory and later this house was to be remodeled for the convent. In October 1924, Fr. John Schoenberger came to carry on the work. By 1925 the church was getting too small to house the congregation.

So, finally in the fall of 1927 preparations began for a new church while after 70 years is still recognized as an architectural gem. This is also the year a name change was requested and it was granted by Bishop O’Reilly. Midnight mass was truly blessed in 1928 when the parish gathered for midnight mass in the new church of “Little Flower of St. Therese.”

Fr. Mutter came to Rugby in September 1930 followed by Father Cloos in 1936 who served the parish for over 35 years, with Fr. Weiderholt, Fr. Binder, Fr. Schuh, Fr. Miller, Fr. Koehler, Fr. Schmirley, Fr. Joseph Axtmann, Fr. Zirbes, Fr. Mentel, Fr. Logue, Fr. Schill, Fr. Kalenberg, Fr. Joseph Campbell, and Fr. Hilary Bitz as his assistants.

The Little Flower School was constructed in 1942 which held classes for grades kindergarten through 6th grade.

1960 marks the year that Father Cloos received his red robes and title of Right Reverend Monsignor.

1956 was the big year of the construction of the new rectory, also which marks the year of Fr. John J. Kalenberg coming to Rugby to serve as assistant pastor to Msgr. Cloos. Fr. Kalenberg did not hesitate to lend a helping hand, which was sorely needed. The rectory was completed in 1957. At this point the rectory was used as the area diocesan facilities. Even the Clergy night, which were held by the Knights of Columbus, were held in this rectory and brought Priests from both Fargo and Bismarck dioceses.

There had not only been physical growth in the parish of Little Flower but also spiritual as well. Many young men and women entered into vocations of priests and sisters. In the fall of 1970, Fr. Frances Grow succeeded Msgr. Cloos as pastor and served the parish for seven years, with Fr. Joe Wiegel serving as deacon, Fr. Jack Davies as assistant, Fr. Jack Herron as a deacon, Fr. Jacob Czapiewski as a deacon, and a polish priest, Fr. Felijs Lojewski. November of 1977, Father John J. Kalenberg returned to Rugby as Pastor, and Father Roger Snell came to serve as associate in 1980. With the coming of Fr. Kalenberg, many programs were implemented of the diocese and parish, such as Parish Renewal, Leadership Course, Baptismal and Frist Communion Workshops, an extended confirmation program, CCD classes and preparation of marriage, Marriage Encounter, and Curscillo.

In 1981-1982, Little Flower Church saw the complete renovation of the inside and downstairs of the church with many hours of donated parish labor. Little Flower Church of Rugby, North Dakota celebrated 75 years in 1985, and 100 years in 2010.

(Sources: Little Flower Church, 1910-1983 [BX4603.R82 L59 1983]; Little Flower Church, Rugby, North Dakota, 75 Years of Progress and Growth, 1910-1985 [BX4603.R82 L58 1985]; and Little Flower Catholic Church, 2005 [BX4603.R82 L59 2005]).