Is it possible that a cemetery could tell a story of Swiss pioneers and their dreams in a new land? That’s exactly what St. Fridolin Cemetery does. This isn’t just a final resting place. It’s a historical landmark. St. Fridolin Cemetery whispers tales of faith, community, and resilience.
Once known as New Schwanden Cemetery St. Fridolin Cemetery connects us to the Swiss settlers. They arrived in the mid-19th century. Imagine their journey. They left Schwanden, Switzerland in 1853. After fifty long days, they landed in New Orleans. They traveled up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. They finally arrived in Minnesota. They sought land and a new beginning.
These pioneers named their settlement New Schwanden. It was located near present-day Champlin. They built cabins and started a community. Among the first families were the Auberts, Blesis, Heftis, and Zopfis. They worked hard to establish their homes.
The community needed a church. Peter Blesi donated land for it. Fridolin Zopfi gave land for St. Fridolin Cemetery in 1866. The church was first affiliated with the Iowa Synod. It later joined the Missouri Synod. Services were in German until 1912. Then English services were gradually introduced.
In 1897, a new church was built. It cost $1,078.36. Jacob Maag from Switzerland was the mason. The church became known as German Evangelical St. Fridolin’s Church. Several pastors served over the years. These pastors included W. Buhring and Henry Hartig.
But what became of the church? It closed in 1951. The last three members sold it. The American Legion bought the church but did not follow the bylaws. The Legion wives tore out the inside. In 1954 the building was sold for residential use. The funds were placed in a perpetual care fund for the cemetery.
The families of New Schwanden were innovative. Margaretha Blesi made Swiss cheese. Peter Blesi made Sap-sago cheese. These were the first Swiss cheeses sold in Minneapolis.
The pioneers’ farms continued for generations. Later, the Hennepin County Park Reserve purchased many of these farms. This became the Elm Creek Park Reserve. In 1976, a Swiss Pioneers Memorial was dedicated. It honored the history of New Schwanden.
Even a sign marking New Schwanden faced challenges. After vandals destroyed the first sign, a new one was dedicated in 1994.
The Civil War affected this community too. Johannes Blesi fought and was wounded. His brother Melchor died in Tennessee. Melchor’s gravestone stands in Nashville. Peter Blesi’s grave is here at St. Fridolin Cemetery.
St. Fridolin Cemetery is more than graves and stones. It’s a story of immigrants. It speaks of their faith, hard work, and community spirit. It reminds us of their contributions to Minnesota. As you walk through this cemetery, remember the legacy of New Schwanden. These pioneers shaped the land we stand on. Their stories are etched in every stone.