Immaculate Conception (Elma, Iowa)

Immaculate Conception (Elma, Iowa)

"Early pioneers of Elma in Howard County had been attracted by employment in the Great Western railroad roundhouse. They attended Saint Patrick Church at St. Cecilia’s, west of Elma, where Father Francis Gunn was pastor. In 1892 the foundation for a church was laid on Elma property donated by Lemuel Potter. Later purchases gave the parish a total of six acres. Construction was not continual, but the church was finally ready for dedication to the Immaculate Conception in the summer of 1902. With 600 seat structure was of brick with white stone trim and slate roof. The interior was frescoed by George Satory, a prominent church decorator of that era."

- Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, Parish Profile #81, The Witness, July 3, 1988

Immaculate Conception Parish, Elma

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.

1887-
History of the parish over the span of 132 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.

Anniversary 125^th (1 document)

Centennial Booklet (4 documents)

Elma in the Hands of Time Booklet (1 booklet)

Envelope (1 document)

History (18 packets)

Parish Directory (1 document)

Photograph Kitchen, Gymnasium, Dining Room (1 document)

Sketches (2 documents)