In the early 1850's, the Trappist monks of St. Mellerary, Dubuque, IA ventured north with hopes to establish a monastery in Wexford. The venture didn't turn out as planned but Reverend Francis Walsh chose to remain at Wexford for a few years.
In 1855, Father Walsh directed the erection of Cherry Mound Church. The pastoral name given was St. Pius V, a pope of the 16th century who worked for the reform of the Church. St. Pius is commonly known as Cherry Mound due to the abundance of cherry trees growing at the site during its early years.
The first church was made of logs with wooden, hand-hewn benches as pews. Mass was held about once a month whenever the priest from Wexford was able to make the trip. News of when the services were held spread by word of mouth. It is likely that Father Thomas Hore celebrated the first Mass in the area.
In 1875, the original church structure had become too small for the growing congregation, thus a new one was built a few yards away. Chances were sold and the old church was raffled off at a dance.