The community's founder, Herman Schwarte, envisioned a peaceful village where Germans could work the land, be self-sufficient and help one another.

Duren's ordination in his native Diocese of La Crosse was blocked by the German clergy there, in part, because he led a group of students who opposed German language instruction at Saint Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee.

Duren is credited with the community's rebirth through his Complete Life Program and the Westphalia Consumers Cooperative Association.

The cooperative was established after the Great Depression affected an already poor farm economy as a way to overcome individualism in rural life and to help the locals make a just living.

It was inspired by the Papal encyclical Quadragesimo Anno (1931) of Pope Pius XI, and based on a similar cooperative in Rochdale, England.

It was during his 36-year pastorate that the parochial school (1927), ball diamond (c. 1927), Shrine of Our Lady of Grace (1930), corn crib (First Fruits; 1933), and the clubhouse (1934) were built.

St. Boniface Church was designed by Dubuque architect Fridolin Heer in the Romanesque Revival style.

It follows a rectangular plan and features a central bell tower capped with a spire, and three entry doors across the main facade.