The community was founded in 1837 by Fr. Joseph Kundek, a missionary priest from Croatia, and met in a log cabin before moving to a brick structure in 1841. The current church was built through the efforts of Fr. Fidelis Maute, OSB, who served as architect and builder as well as pastor. Work began in 1867 and was completed in 1880, and the building was consecrated in 1888.[2]