Ascension Day, the 10th of May, 1866, had been appointed as the day for laying and blessing the cornerstone of the new church. 

On the day before the feast of the Ascension, the Most Reverend Archbishop arrived with Reverend Father Scheider and the Master of Ceremonies, Reverend Lynch. Early next morning His Grace said Holy Mass.The School Society and the Young Men's Sodality with their banners went out to meet the procession coming from St. John's and St.  Gertrude’s churches.  After they had entered the church, Solemn High Mass was celebrated, during which the Archbishop himself preached. After High Mass he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to a class of about two hundred (including those who had come from other parishes). 

When he was finished at 11 :00 o'clock, the entire parish with five banners marched through the town in procession to the depot to receive the people who came from St. Louis for this solemn occasion. There were about 300, amongst them Reverend Goller and son, Jesuit Fathers, Scholastics and Brothers.  To revive the tired body, dinner was prepared for the guests near the church.  No price was fixed; each dropped as much as he wished into the collection box.

At one o'clock the Archbishop first blessed the banners of the Ladies' Society, of the Holy Childhood, and of the Sodality which bore the picture of St. Aloysius. Thereupon a procession was formed to the new foundation, and after the blessing of the cornerstone the clergy and the ministers ascended a platform that had been erected between the house and the new foundation. Reverend Father Tschieder preached in German and Reverend Father Gareche in English.  The solemnity being over, and the Archbishop having imparted his blessing, the guests took a short supper and left for home on the train.

-- exerpts from St. Francis Borgia Centenary Jubilee Souvenir, 1834 - 1934

On April 4, 1867, the bricklayers began their work. 650,700 bricks were used, and they cost $4,717. The laying of the bricks lasted until October, and the wages that had to be paid to the bricklayers amounted to $3,811. In the meantime, the carpenters under the superintendence of Brother Heilers, S. J., whom Reverend Provincial had sent for this purpose, prepared the joists, the pillars, and finally they put up the framework and covered the roof. In October plasterers came from St. Louis to plaster the walls and the ceiling. They made a contract to do the work for $1,400.  They finished on November 22. The stained-glass windows were procured from Buffalo. M. Hastings undertook to decorate the church at $5 a day, and the entire decorations cost about $1,000.
 
As three years had been allotted to the parishioners to pay their subscriptions, Reverend Father Seisl called the congregation into the church when it was under cover, and asked them whether they wished to leave the church as it was until the following year, until the rest of the money should be paid, or whether they preferred to complete the church immediately, in which case the money would also have to be paid in the same year. All were in favor of completing the church without interrupting the work.
 
At the advice of Brother Heilers, the pews were to be made in St. Louis. But as the whole factory burned down, also the pews were consumed by the flames, thus entailing a loss of $550. Hence Reverend Father Seisl was compelled to take up a collection in the neighboring parishes. In November Joseph Mintrup on his deathbed bequeathed $500 for an altar in honor of St. Joseph while another, Henry Strubberg, gave the means for making the tabernacle.

On July 4 the bells were blessed by Rev. Fr. Provincial, who also gave the English sermon, whilst Rev. Fr. Paulinus Tolksdorf, 0. F. M., preached in German. 

The bells are:

• In honor of St. Francis Borgia, weighing 3,160 pounds
• The second one in honor of the Blessed Virgin, weighing 1,590 pounds
• The third one in honor of the Blessed Virgin, weighing 868 pounds

-- exerpts from St. Francis Borgia Centenary Jubilee Souvenir, 1834 - 1934

Easter Monday (April 6, 1869) was the day appointed for blessing the new church. Vicar General, Milcher, had promised to come for this purpose but, being hindered through sickness, he wrote and told Reverend Father Seisl to appoint one of the priests present to do it. Reverend Provincial Fred Coosemans, Reverend Goller, Reverend Faeber, Rev. Fr. Braun, Rev. Fr. Copmans, Rev. Fr. Lamblin were present. After some opposition, Rev. Provincial was persuaded to undertake the blessing.  Reverend Fr. Goller and Rev. Fr. Wm. Faeber assisted, whilst Rev. Fr. Haza sang the High Mass.

The Blessed Sacrament was carried over in solemn procession, despite the rain. The weather with the preceding rain hindered many from attending the solemnity.