2907 The Catholic Church in the Diocese of St. Paul from earliest origin to centennial achievement: A Factual Narrative, by James Michael Reardon, P.A. (read 9 Sep 1996) This was published in 1952 marking the centennial of the St. Paul diocese. Much in it was of little interest, but the interesting parts more than compensate for the stuff of interest only to persons far better acquainted with Minnesota than am I. The book has a good chapter on the Kensington Rune stone (the author believes it is genuine).and excellent accounts of the five bishops of St. Paul in the century covered. Archbishop Ireland dominates the era and the book. The author is not an able author--some of the book is cut and paste seeming--but Ireland was a giant-like figure and one cannot help but be impressed. This was a magnificent book despite its flaws, and since it was written in 1952 it was an account of triumph after triumph for the Church--with none of the sad times that came beginning in the 1960's. ( )

From Earliest Origin to Centennial Achievement