Shrine of Our Lady of the Prairies
| Shrine of Our Lady of the Prairies | |
|---|---|
 Post card image taken in the 60s of attendees at the shrine at its height of popularity | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Christianity (unapproved Catholic devotion) |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Private shrine |
| Patron | Our Lady of the Prairies |
| Location | |
| Location | North Dakota, United States |
  Location in North Dakota | |
 | |
| Geographic coordinates | 48°33′49.5″N 102°38′41″W / 48.563750°N 102.64472°W |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Reverend Fredric J. Nelson |
| Date established | 1955 |
The Shrine of Our Lady of the Prairies is a tradtionalist Catholic shrine in Powers Lake, North Dakota.[1] It was formally dedicated in 1955 by Reverend Fredric J. Nelson, who also published the "Maryfaithful" magazine.[2] It is controversial as it is not considered part of the local Bismarck Catholic Diocese.[3]
History
[edit]Father Nelson era
[edit]The shrine's early prominence is largely attributable to Father Frederic Nelson, who opened a chapel in direct opposition to the diocesan church after the introduction of the Novus Ordo Mass.[4] Under Father Nelson's leadership, the shrine developed a considerable following, despite its remote location. His efforts included a nationally syndicated radio program, "The Marian Hour," a newsletter called "Mary Faithful," and a school that accommodated boarding students from across the country.[4] Annually, Father Nelson also organized pilgrimages to the chapel, drawing hundreds, and at times thousands, of devotees to Powers Lake.[4]
In 1970, Father Nelson caused confusion among parishioners by failing to appear for Sunday mass, leading to a note on the church door declaring the parish "under interdict and closed until further notice."[5] This incident followed Father Nelson's campaigns against local movie theaters, "adult-type films," and his efforts to reform community "morality" by opposing short skirts and uncovered heads, which led him to refuse mass to non-compliant parishioners.[5]
The Bismarck diocese subsequently stated he had gone on "vacation to the West Coast," a claim not widely believed by the community, given the note signed with his initials, and is likely related to Father Nelson's "frustration" over uncovered heads leading to his sudden departure.[5]
Post-Nelson era and controversies
[edit]Following Father Nelson's death in 1988, the shrine experienced a period of decline, characterized by a succession of "difficult and even scandalous clergy."[4] For several years, the facility remained largely vacant.[4]
Involvement of Ryan St. Anne (Ryan Patrick Scott)
[edit]In early 2003, Ryan St. Anne Scott, also known as Ryan Patrick Scott, assumed the role of administrator at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Prairies.[1][3] St. Anne, 51 at the time, presented himself as a "traditional Catholic priest" and abbot of an independent Benedictine monastery named Holy Rosary Abbey.[3] He advocated for the Latin Mass and rejected the post-Vatican II changes.[3]
His arrival at the Shrine was facilitated by Roseanna Gevelinger, the Shrine's treasurer, who had met and admired him through traditional Catholic gatherings.[1] The board, reportedly desperate for a priest, did not thoroughly investigate his past.[1]
Lack of ecclesiastical recognition
[edit]Bishop Paul Zipfel of the Bismarck Catholic Diocese explicitly stated that he did not recognize St. Anne as a priest, and the shrine itself was not considered part of the diocese.[3] Similarly, the Diocese of Peoria and at least four other dioceses publicly warned Catholics that St. Anne was not a legitimate priest and that his administered sacraments and ceremonies were not sanctioned by the Church.[6] Church officials in Dubuque, Iowa, where St. Anne claimed a retired Roman Catholic archbishop validated his ordination, stated that the archbishop was suffering from Alzheimer's disease at the time and has since died.[1]
St. Ambrose University, where he claimed to have attended seminary, has no record of his attendance, and his marriage during that period would have disqualified him from priestly training.[1]
Legal and financial disputes
[edit]St. Anne was involved in numerous legal conflicts. In April 2004, he and Roseanna Gevelinger obtained a restraining order against shrine board members Paul Dobrowski and Jerry Durick, alleging threats and intentions to destroy property and financial records.[3] St. Anne also claimed the shrine was under investigation for finances prior to his arrival.[3] Conversely, the Shrine's board members accused St. Anne of inability to properly conduct Holy Week rituals and attempting to gain financial control of the Shrine and its assets.[1] This led to a lawsuit from St. Anne seeking back pay and damages.[1]
Departure from Powers Lake
[edit]St. Anne left Powers Lake in August 2004, at the request of the Shrine's board of directors.[3] He moved to Galesburg, Illinois, where he intended to establish a new independent Benedictine monastery. Roseanna Gevelinger, then 82, and one other elderly former parishioner accompanied him.[1]
After St. Anne's departure, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Prairies reportedly had "zero" parishioners, though the board of directors expressed a desire to find another "traditional Catholic priest" to offer the Latin Mass and continued broadcasting its radio program, "The Marian Hour."[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i Torriero, E.A., "The Church Calls Father Ryan Scott a Fake Priest," Chicago Tribune, February 6, 2005,https://www.chicagotribune.com/2005/02/06/some-call-him-priest-church-calls-him-fake/
- ^ "Curio: On This Day | Pilgrimage to Powers Lake". www.theminotvoice.com. 2025-07-24. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Johnson, Andrea (August 24, 2004). "Church Administrator Is out". www.bishop-accountability.org. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
- ^ a b c d e "St. Gertrude the Great". www.sgg.org. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
- ^ a b c "Missing Priest". Prairie Public. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
- ^ CNA. "Diocese warns Catholics against man posing as priest". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2025-07-27.