506 4th Ave ~ Lankin, North Dakota

The railroad constructed its branch line through Lankin.  It
offered two lots to the religious community.The Catholic Settlers, our Great-Grandparents and Grandparents, took advantage of this offer and founded St. Joseph's Parish, building the church at the north end
of town in 1906.  St. Joseph's Church is one of the youngest in Walsh County.

In 1909, local parishioners purchased five acres of land to eventually move the church from the north side of town to the east end.  The land was also used to construct a new parish house and cemetery.  Later nine lots were
bought from Clement Zeman in addition to the four lots the Zemans donated. From 1906-11, the parish was served by Father Frank Just, Father Alois Gajdusek and Father Thomas Rabsteinek.

Father Vaclav Mikolasek, who came in May 1911, helped the parishioners finish building the rectory later that year.  Financial conditions of the church were critical at that time.  The church had been sold for taxes.  Thanks to Mr. H. Johnson, who held the mortgage, and with the help of
the county commissioners, the taxes were forgiven and the church returned to the parish.

In 1913, Bishop O'Reilly gave permission to move the yet-unfinished church to the east side of town.  The steeple was added at this time.  A box containing the names of the donors and other memorials was sealed
into the cross.

In 1943, with countless hours of help from the parishioners and the inspiration of Father Mikolasek, the Grotto of Lourdes was erected out of area field rocks in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  It is a well-known fact
that Czechs are known for their love of the Blessed Virgin.

Father Mikolasek served the parish until his death in 1950.  He is buried in the Bechyne cemetery.  Father Father Ludwig Svetinsky from 1962-73 who served Lankin and Bechyne.

Construction of the present-day church began in 1967 and was completed in January 1968.  With the help of the parishioners and community, who donated countless Father John Graven served Lankin, Bechyne and Lomice from 1973-80 and was followed by Father Dan Pilon who
served from 1980-84.  In 1984, St. Joseph's was assigned as a mission of St. John's, Pisek.  Father Leonard Loegering served Pisek and Lankin from
1984-91; Father Vern Smith served from 1991-95; Father Luke was named interim pastor in 1995 until Father John Fallon was appointed, serving 1996-02; and Father John Lewandowski served from 2002-05.

Father Samuel Ezeibekwe came in 2005 and served as pastor of our Tri-Parishes of Pisek, Lankin and Bechyne until his death in March 2013.

Rev. Prasad Marneni first served Mass for our Tri-Parish on Sunday, June 2, 2013 for Corpus Christi and returned to his home and mission school in India is July 2017.

Fr. Jason Lefor became pastor of our Tri-Parishes in June 2017.