The parish, founded in 1876, was the first established in a major drive by Archbishop John Ireland to settle western Minnesota with Catholics.

[2] Its current building was constructed in 1901 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 for having local significance in the themes of architecture, community planning and development, exploration/settlement, and religion.

[3] It was nominated for its association with the beginning of Archbishop Ireland's colonization effort, the influence of the Catholic church on De Graff's development and population, and for being a rare outstate church building designed by Saint Paul architect Edward J.

The interior has exposed wooden beams, an ornate oak Gothic Revival altar, and large murals illustrating the Stations of the Cross.

De Graff was one of the settlements that he sponsored, along with Graceville, Clontarf, Currie, Minneota, Ghent, Iona, Avoca, and Fulda.