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“Holy Cross is one of several parishes that began about the same time. Bishop Mathias Loras mentions in an 1842 letter that he was called to the Sweeney home in Concord Township to minister to a dying man. While there, he was asked to bless some…

“The events of the new parish’s first year (1989) were: In April ten acres in Hiawatha were designated as the site. On July 11 Father Gossman was appointed the founding pastor. On August 19 the community was formed when they gathered for Mass in…

“Saint Joseph Parish began in 1855 with the building of a church at Paint Rock in the northeastern corner of the state in Allamakee County. The post office name of Paint Rock changed to Allamakee, to Adams Junction, to Waukon Junction, to Harpers…

“When the railroad came to Marion, it brought the families of Irish workers. Recognizing the need for a larger church, Father Hartigan’s parishioners purchased property and collected funds. In 1905 a brick structure named for Saint Joseph was…

“The first priests to visit the Catholic pioneers of the Maquoketa area in Jackson County came from Saint Patrick’s in Garryowen. Before the Maquoketa Catholics had a church of their own they went to the Garryowen or Otter Creek churches. After…

“Father Michael J. Farrelly was appointed the first resident pastor in 1897. Beginning with his appointment, the pastor of Manly also cared for the mission church at Plymouth. About a year later the parish built a rectory, destroyed by fire after a…

“When Father John J. Hanley became pastor in 1887, he saw to the building of a three-story frame school and convent, which was known as Saint Xavier’s for many years. Cedar Rapids Sisters of Mercy staffed the school until 1940; then the Dubuque…

“When John Plettchette died in 1859, he left six acres on condition that a church be built within two years. When Bishop Clement Smyth did not send a priest on the grounds that there was no church, John Heles and Joseph Friedman assumed leadership…

“Under the leadership of Father James Nelson, the parish built a gothic style brick church in 1901 to seat 500. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title The Immaculate Conception, which is inscribed to the cornerstone. During the…

"Father David J. Lonergan arrived in November of 1890 to found the parish, staying in the Gordon home until a residence could be provided. Pastor and parishioners chose high ground on the Military Road, near the small town of Fillmore and about eight…