St. Stephen (Central City, Iowa)

St. Stephen (Central City, Iowa)

"When Father Stephen J. Kucera was appointed pastor of Prairieburg in 1927, he soon recognized Central City, eight miles west, as a potential parish. Central City’s location on busy highway 13 marked it for growth. In 1932 he secured the vacant Christian Church for $500 through Dr. J. W. Eckstein. There were two Catholic families in the town and only a few in the surrounding area. The church was dedicated on June 8, 1932. It was named for Saint Stephen in deference to Father Kucera. He and his housekeeper had provided over half the funds. Many of the furnishings were provided by neighboring parishes and pastors and his brother, Bishop Louis B. Kucera of Lincoln, Nebraska."

- Kurt, Rev. Msgr. Edgar, "Parish Profile #205", The Witness, December 23, 1990.

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.

1932-
History of the parish over the span of 86 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.

Bulletin (1 document)
Fire and Recovery (4 documents)
Fire Post Card (1 document)
History (3 documents)
Dedication Papers (3 documents)
Open House Booklet (2 documents)
Pastor List (2 documents)
Timelines (2 documents)
Smith, Sue Davis. “Depicting Christ’s journey.” The Gazette. December 7, 2002.