Browse Items (3180 total)

"The first Catholics bought a stone church built by the Sand Springs Baptists at the beginning of Civil War and closed for ten or more years. The church was dedicated to the Mother of God under her title of the Immaculate Conception. The first…

"Irish settlers in the eastern part of Chickasaw County gathered for Mass in homes until the small community was able to organize a parish in 1856 and build the first church in the county in 1857. Although the church was named for Saint Ignatius, it…

"Although Holy Cross Parish began with a resident pastor in 1928, it has been served by neighboring pastors during most of its history. The Catholics of the area had longed for a parish of their own. Perhaps Father Thomas Ballon, pastor of Vining in…

"Father John Ziebelk, pastor of Saint Wenceslaus Parish in Cedar Rapids, took charge of the Prairieburg Catholics in the 1870s. In 1874 he directed the building of a brick church on five acres given by Richard and Mary Lacy. It was capable of seating…

"While pastor of Parkersburg, Father B. W. Coyle served Shell Rock for nine years, from 1882 to 1891. He led them to build a church in 1891 and dedicated it to the Holy name of Jesus. From Father Coyle’s time, the Holy Name Mission continued to be…

History of the St. Joseph church and parish in Prairie, Iowa.

History of the St. Nicholas church and parish of Spruce Creek, Iowa

"Saint Wenceslaus Church was built in the Winneshiek County town of Spillville in 1860, but the parish’s double beginning was earlier. First, nearby Saint Clement Parish was established by German settlers about 1853 on the banks of Spielman’s…

"The cornerstone for Saint Aloysius Church was laid in November 1892. The frame building was blessed in June 1893. A few years later an interior balcony and a sacristy were added. Bishop Hennessy designated about fifty families as the nucleus, almost…

"As early as 1891 Father James Mulligan, pastor of West Union, visited the Hawkeye area Catholics and celebrated Mass in the home of Michael Riley, the railroad section foreman. In 1893 under Father Mulligan’s direction, they built a small frame…