St. Mary (Lycurgus, Iowa)

St. Mary (Lycurgus, Iowa)

"Landolm Haas, a veteran of the Mexican War, was the first settler in Saint Mary Parish, arriving in 1851 to take advantage of choice land at a low price. Father David Slattery was the first resident pastor and began the parish records. He came in December of 1875 and stayed until May of 1882. His successor, Father M. J. Gaffney, was the first of four pastors who stayed for short terms, until the advent of Father Michael K. Norton in December 1887. Father Norton stayed until September 1905. A parish hall was built and a wing added to the rectory, which was probably built for the first pastor in the 1870s. During his pastorate the locality’s name changed from Lansing Ridge to Lycurgus, the name of a classical Greek statesman."

-Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, Parish Profile #65, The Witness, March 13, 1988.

The Archdiocese of Dubuque.
The Center for Dubuque History at Loras College.

Loras College
Kucera Center for Catholic Thought
Frank and Ida Goedken Series: "Spiritual Life in the Upper Mississippi River Valley"

Burback, Emily. Burns, Daniel. Gibson, Michael. Oberfoell, Carol. Waldmeir, Helen. Waldmeir, John.

English.

Various primary and secondary sources.

1860-2006
History of the parish over the span of 146 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.

Priests/vocations (4 documents)
History (8 documents)
Financial documents (5 documents)
Parish news (4 documents)
Closing documents (2 documents)
Photography (2 documents)

Parkinson and Dockendorff architects. “Specifications for Church Located at Lycurgus, Iowa for St. Mary’s Catholic Congregation (No. 5).” Ca 1913.

Duffy, Raymond. “Remembrance of the Mission Given by Father Blaze Citizen(.)” Prayer card. Ca. 1963.