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]
Photo of the altar of the shrine taken from a postcard
Post-Nelson era and controversies
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)
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
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]
Photo of the shrine in a vintage postcard. Circa 1950s-1960s
Legal and financial disputes
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
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]
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