A community of Dutch people settled around Akenstadt, north of Strathmore. The parish was canonically erected on February 16, 1911, and called St. Nicholaus, with property donated by the CPR Irrigation Company. This community was named for Fr. Van Aaken who came with the pioneers to this district. However, no church was ever built there and the community was served from Strathmore. Records indicate that Mass was celebrated at the Akenstadt School or at the home of A.J.J. Weyers until 1915. Other pioneer family names include the Bartelens, Cammaerts, Damens, Gaertzs, Vanderswesterns and Voermans.