Historic Saint Mary’s Catholic Church
Saint Mary’s is the region’s oldest parish, based out of the historic Saint Mary’s Church, built in 1898. Father John Baptiste Marie Genin founded the parish in 1874 and dedicated its first permanent church the following year at Main Avenue and Mandan Street. It was replaced in September 1898 with the present-day church facing Broadway Avenue.
Saint Mary’s Cemetery is also Bismarck’s oldest cemetery, established in 1878. It contains many of Bismarck’s most notable people.
List of notable individuals buried at Saint Mary’s:
| Name: | Noted For: |
| Alexander McKenzie | Political boss who ruled politics for several decades, noted for moving capital of Dakota Territory from Yankton to Bismarck, also served as sheriff |
| Arthur Lucas | Cofounder of A.W. Lucas & Company, a local department store that served Bismarck from 1898-1980 |
| Philip Meyer | Founder of KFYR – husband to Etta Hoskins-Meyer |
| Etta Hoskins-Meyer | Founder of Hoskins-Meyer, now a floral shop, originally a dry goods and stationery store – wife of Philip Meyer |
| Grant Marsh | Steamboat captain, namesake of Grant Marsh (I-94) Bridge |
| Burt Finney | Founder of Finney Drug, a local drugstore that served for several decades |
| Paul H. Wachter | Responsible for the construction of Kirkwood Mall and other major buildings |
| Charles Wachter | School board member, namesake of original Wachter School |
