On December 8, 1883, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the first priest, Father LeTellier, celebrated mass in the basement of the new church. Kneeling at the foot of the alter, the congregation sang "Veni Creator" with much emotion. "We are at last home, " the parishioners told the pastor. After 10 years of effort, the French Canadians had their own place to worship where hymns, prayers, and sermons could be said in French.

          However, with the transfer of Father LeTellier in 1884 and the decline of the lumbering trade, the spirit of the French was dampened. How could they finish the upper portion of St. Jean Baptiste with no money?

          It was then that a young priest from Montreal, Canada, Father J. Roch Magnan, came to St. Jean Baptiste. He found only an outline or sketch of the upper church. He knew he must work hard to bring the spirit back to the parish. He first took a census; there were 400 families. He then called upon the Oblate Fathers to conduct a retreat. Hope and confidence returned, and the money was raised to finish the church. It took five long years to accomplish this, but the church was finally completed in 1887.

          The church is a brick veneer structure over wood frame throughout. It is planned along the latin cross shape, as are the gothic cathedrals of Europe, and is on an east-west Axis. The style is gothic, with pointed windows, a vaulted ceiling, and transept wings. When completed, the church cost upwards of $30,000.

          The unique Stations of the cross were donated by a Protestant lady, Mrs. M. Ryerson. The stained glass windows were made by a Chicago firm. The beautiful altars were hand-carved by Mr. Cedaire Blais. The wounderful statues were donated by friends, parishoners, and school children. Father J. Roch Magnan donated the statue of St. Jean Baptiste.

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