One Sunday afternoon in the summer of 1915, the whole congregation went in procession to the hillside of Many Bones Creek. They sang a hymn, prayed the Rosary and the Magnificat, in the site where, with the encouragement of Fr. Metzger, they would build their grotto.
Thus, on the firm foundation of prayer and discipline, the Grotto was built the following summer. Wagon loads of stone from every quarter of land in the district, thundered into the colony for days on end, the stone masons and all the men carried the heavy stones and placed them into place. The young girls and women mixed the mortar. They also cooked for the whole crew! Such items like home baked bread, soups, stews and chicken dishes were made. One letter described how they made 30 chickens 10 loaves of bread and a bag of potatoes for the workers.
The consecration of the Grotto and first pilgrimage was held August 15,1917. The Reverend Archbishop Mathieu of Regina and a large number of priests were present. An estimated 1000 pilgrims prayed on the first pilgrimage at this beautiful site. A pilgrimage has been held every year since then. A large celebration was held on the hundredth anniversary of the church.
Throughout the 20th Century, pilgrims flocked to the Shrine every year at Grotto FeaSt
St Peter’s Church was built at Rastadt Colony in 1903 at the urging of the very devout families from the region. Father Zerbach from Vibank took leadership in the building of St Peter’s Church. The dispute about the location of the church, whether to be at Kathrinthal or Rastadt was finally settled by a vote which was approved by Archbishop Langvin, who said, “Quod scripsi, scripsi”(What I have written remains written.) Finally in 1916, Father H. Metzger became the first permanent, resident pastor of St Peter’s Church under the condition that the current church debt of $1200 dollars be settled without delay. A tithe of $25 was collected from each family and Father Metzger took this to Regina the very next day! The parish of St Peter’s Kronau became a reality.
Without wasting a breath, Father Metzger immediately drew up plans to build a rectory. The estimate of $3000 was again covered by a family tithe of $65 dollars. Construction was completed in 1916. In the interim the faithful pastor travelled by horse and buggy from Josephstal. Twenty- six years after the arrival of the first settlers, through their fierce perseverance and faith, they had managed to build a small but enthusiastic parish equipped with all the necessary buildings.
St Peter’s Parish remained vibrant and strong in the ensuing years since it became a reality. In keeping with Vatican II, and with the encouragement of Father Cels the first parish council was formed in 1967.
The School of Religion was also founded shortly afterwards. Classes led by teachers and parents were held on weekends. The people of this community were independent and self-reliant. They continued to serve the diocese with the annual pilgrimage. The parish was always recognized for its vibrant community and lively faith.
Early in 1973, the pastor Father Ken Miller, now a Monsignor, led the parish council to discern the possibility of a family renting the rectory with the condition that he was to retain one bedroom and an office.
There are many buildings still within St Peter’s Colony that are original to the early settlement years.
When St Peter’s Parish was officially closed, a small number of parishioners were concerned about the continuance of the annual Pilgrimage and the possible decline of the church and grotto without special efforts in their maintenance. Interested persons came together to form the group with Father Dan Rafael’s blessing, to preserve and restore this sacred site. To this end, the RM of Lajord designated the church, grotto and cemeteries as a Heritage site. St Peter’s Heritage Society Inc. was formed providing the legal structure to facilitate the continuance and maintenance of this holy place. St Peter’s Church is now a chapel that can be used for religious services.
In the spirit of the elders and forefathers who rest in our four cemeteries, we go forward in faith and hope that our small efforts will be blessed by generations to come. May Our Lady continue to oversee and pray for all the pilgrims and many visitors that come to our grotto and church.
Rev. Fr. Henri Metzger, parish priest of St. Peter’s colony, near Kronau, died Friday morning at Grey Nuns hospital, at the age of 73, the anniversary of his birthday.
Funeral service for the widely known artist — priest will be held at 10 am. M.D.T. Monday in the parish church of St. Peter’s colony, and burial will be in the cemetery adjoining the church and the Shrine of Notre Dame de Lourdes, which Fr. Metzger erected in a coulee just north of the church.
Service will be a solemn requiem with Archbishop M. C. O’Neill at the throne, Very Rev. Dean J. M. Heinrich, pastor of Claybank, celebrant; Fr. A. Zimmerman of St. Joseph’s colony, Balgonie, deacon; Fr. H. G. Theunissen, Sedley, sub deacon, and Fr. Joseph Reidy, Sacred Heart parish, Regina, master of ceremonies.
The body will be taken to St. Peter’s church, Kronau, Sunday at 2 pm. There it will lie in state until the requiem Monday moming. A special guard will watch through the afternoon and night of Sunday, and prayers will be recited by the parishioners. Ordained 1901
Father Metzger was born at Grenlelbruck, Alsace – Lorraine, July 15, 1876, educated in the parish school, then took his classics and theological course at Sancti Deo Lati, from 1896 to 1901, being ordained to the priesthood June 29, 1901. Two years later he came to St. Jean Baptiste, Man, and from then on until 1909 was pastor of that parish. From 1909 to 1910 he was at Montmartre, 1910 to 1913 at Mutrie, 1913 to 1916 at St. Joseph’s colony, Balgonie, and in 1916 he went to St. Peter’s colony near Kronau, where he remained until his death.
In his years at St. Peter’s he built a new church, the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, and also decorated the churches of St. Joseph and St. Peter’s with his paintings.
He also found time to do many other paintings, several of which are to be found in churches in the archdiocese of Regina, and in homes in Regina.
He was during his earlier years an ardent hunter, and was recognized throughout the province as an expert with his gun during the migrating and upland game birds seasons.