A Century of Weddings
Scroll through and travel through time to hear from some of our parishioners who received the Sacrament of Marriage in this sacred space.
"My parents, Mary Jane Gauthier and Ed Van Hoven were married at St. Luke's Church on January 10, 1945. World War II was still going on, and my dad was about to be shipped overseas. Dad returned in March of 1946. I was born that December, and baptized at St. Luke's on January 19, 1947 (we figured out recently that fellow parishioner, Greg Poferl, was baptized that same day at St. Luke's!) I had no other connections with St. Luke's until I taught in the school, then called IHM-St. Luke's, from 1991 until 2012. Since 2020, my husband Michael and I have been members of St. Thomas More! It is our home now, hopefully for the rest of our lives."
–Photo and story from parishioner Connie Wittek
"My parents were married at St. Luke's and they had an article written in the Pioneer Press, published July 14, 1951. It reads: 'The marriage of Miss Constance Helene Logue, daughter or Mr. and Mrs. John Franklin Logue, 991 Laural ave., to Edward W. McConnon, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.T. McConnon, 178 Aurora ave., was solemnized Tuesday in St. Luke's Catholic church. Rev. Gorgon Mycue read the service. Miss Rosemary McConnon, the bridegroom's sister, was maid of honor, and Miss Joan Ann Logue, sister of the bride, was bridesmaid. The bridegroom was attended by Robert J. Brown and Raymond Enright. The bride wore a lace dress of ballerina length and a fingertip veil with Juliet cap. She carried Johanna Hill roses and stephanotis. A wedding breakfast in Northwood Country club was followed by an afternoon reception in the home of the bride's uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Ivey, 763 County road A-2. Mrs. McConnon is a graduate of St. Joseph's academy and St. Catherine's college. Mr. McConnon is stationed at Camp Jackson, S.C."
–Photos and story from parishioner Eileen Degnan
Barbara and Tim Stage celebrated their wedding here in 1969, and then celebrated their 50th Anniversary here in 2019! We are so thrilled to have them as a part of our Saint Thomas More family.
–Photos from parishioner Barbara Stage
"My family's history is intertwined with St. Thomas More. I went to school here, my husband Michael and I were married here in the basement church on May 28, 1982, and both our children were baptized here. My parents were married here and were parishioners until their deaths, and then their funerals were here. My brother still attends St. Thomas More. Even the Mass for my daughter's 8 month still-born baby was here."
"A turning point in our lives in connection with St. Luke's was when my husband Michael had his accident in 1997 and became paraplegic. I was still leading music at Mass at St. Luke's and when he was able to come home from the hospital and go to Mass with us, he couldn't get into the downstairs church. My father, brother and others would lift him down the stairs and up again at the end of mass. People from St. Luke's gave us money (people we didn't know), and Bill Dudley (Karen Dudley's husband) organized people to come work at our house to make it accessible, and to bring us meals. We are here today because of all the people who came to our aid (from other communities and our family as well), during our time of need. We are so grateful for the care and generosity shown to us.
"No one has to carry my husband into the church anymore. I am so happy to be able to continue worshipping in this community where I feel the presence of God and my whole family, and where taking care of all our neighbors is a core value."
–Photo and story from parishioner Eileen Degnan
"All of my sacraments (except Baptism) have happened in this space. My husband, Mark, grew up at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish. We got married in September of 1991, the year Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Luke's schools merged to become IHM-St. Luke's. Our pastor at the time, Fr. Greg Welch, joked at our wedding that we had such a great program going, we merged schools and parishioners! It has been fun to accompany couples in our community as they prepare for and celebrate the sacrament of marriage.
–Photo and story from parishioner and staff member Carol Arend
Steven and Dawn Horgan celebrated their wedding here in July of 1996! We are so thrilled to have them as a part of our Saint Thomas More family.
–Photo from parishioner Sharon Horgan, mother of Steven
"St. Thomas More has been our spiritual home for over thirty years. Our connection to STM (then St Luke) began shortly after Robert and I started dating, as we sought a place to worship and grow in our faith. Fr. Peter Etzel officiated our wedding here in 1999 and this community has become like a family in the years that followed. Our two children attended STM school and received their sacraments in the church; we have all participated in various ministries inside and outside of Mass; and we have benefited from many faith formation opportunities and social activities over the years. Our children are now adults, Fr. Peter is back, and we are celebrating 27 years of marriage this fall! As our church home turns 100, it feels as though we’ve come full circle."
–Photo and story from parishioner Sylvia Hoke
"Our wedding at STM was one of the best days of our lives (November 10, 2017). The space was filled with all our friends and family and we felt so loved! Our second date was at STM, and our goddaughter, Rosie, was baptized just a few months before we were married. It was so exciting to be seen as a couple in this important role in her life!"
–Photo and story from parishioner Christine Barnhouse
"Many of the best days of our lives happened in St. Thomas More: our wedding in October 2018 and our daughters’ baptisms in May 2024 and August 2026"
–Photo and story from parishioner Carroll Wright
"The path that led us to St. Thomas More begins with my dad's side at Immaculate Heart of Mary and my mom's side at St. Luke's, and ultimately led me here, where I married the love of my life, Chris Bergeron on July 24, 2020. My dad grew up attending Immaculate Heart of Mary, where I was also baptized (1-14-1973). On my mom's side, I grew up hearing stories about my Nana, who lived near St. Lukes and chose to marry at St. Luke's (on 6-30-1946) because it had a longer aisle than the Cathedral. We always found that hard to believe, though we never measured it, we took Nana's word for it! St. Luke's was also where she attended school. After Chris and I got engaged, the Synod process led us to Pat and Ann Sweeney. When we shared that we were searching for a home parish, they recommended St. Thomas More. Looking back, I see God's hand weaving together the stories of Immaculate Heart and St. Luke's, leading us exactly where we were meant to be."
–Photo and story from parishioner Deborah Jo Bergeron
"Our wedding day at St. Thomas More was the beginning of our life as a family. We were choosing each other, but we were also choosing the community that would witness and support us through life. Our wedding Mass was even more beautiful than we could've imagined. Since that day, we have had both of our children baptized at this church where our life as a family began. These were some of the most joyful days of our lives. It is so special to have our family so deeply anchored to this parish. Communities like St. Thomas More are rare, and I feel incredibly lucky to both serve and be served by this community."
–Photo and story from parishioner and staff member Anzley Bieri
"When Andrew and I started dating, it was quite a big deal for him to "cross the river" and attend Mass in St. Paul. Initially, he felt like he was a guest at my church, but thanks to the welcoming hearts of parishioners and staff, slowly but surely he felt at home here. It was an honor to start our life as a family here in October 2024 and we're grateful for all the support this community shows us!"
–Photo and story by parishioner Elizabeth Schafer
"My husband Luke were married at Saint Thomas More June 2024!"
–Photos and caption from parishioner Hanna Johanns
"My husband, Donald Hagen, and I were married at the church a little less than a year ago and would love to contribute some photos from STM's recent history! We are grateful to worship and to share our wedding vows
in such a beautiful and historic space."
–Photos and story from Emma Ahlstrom
If you would like to submit your wedding memories, please
visit this link or email Marie Valois, Director of Communications, at
mvalois@morecommunity.org
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