Immaculate Conception (Wexford, Iowa)

“Immaculate Conception Parish owes its origin to Father Thomas Hore, a native of the parish of Our Lady’s Island in County Wexford, Ireland. His life would be good material for an interesting saga. Father Hore, born in 1796, completed his theological studies in 1820 and came to the United States with the newly appointed Bishop of Richmond, who ordained him on their arrival there. After six years of pastoral work in Virginia, Father Hore returned to his native diocese. In 1850 Father Hore prepared to lead more than 450 fellow Irishmen to Arkansas because the Bishop of Little Rock had frequently returned to Ireland seeking priests and Sisters. Arriving there the group met its first great disappointment. Most of the land was already occupied, and they could not find a suitable place to settle. In late January of 1851, Father Hore came to Dubuque, visited Bishop Loras and New Melleray Abbey.”

- Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, “Parish Profile #15: Immaculate Conception Parish, Wexford.” Dubuque: The Witness, 15 March 1987.

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.

Ca. 1848/1851/1870-
History of the parish over the span of 171 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.

History to 1937 (1 packet)

History and Letter 1937-1961 (3 documents)

Pastor/Priest Cards (1 set)

Wexford and its founders (1 packet)

Wexford and Other County Parishes (1 packet)

Byrne, John P., “Wexford Church Observes Centennial.” Des Moines: Iowa Press Clipping Bureau, 21 July 1948.

“Church at Wexford is 100 Years Old Sunday.” Des Moines: Iowa Press Clipping Bureau, 15 July 1948.

“Iowa Church Will Observe Century Date: Irish Families Came Direct to Homes in State.” Des Moines: Iowa Press Clipping Bureau, 17 July 1948.

“Iowa’s Churches – Wexford Catholic.” Cedar Rapids: The Gazette, n.d.

Schmitz, Kenneth P., B.A., “Wexford Iowa, 1851-1876,” A Dissertation Submitted to Saint Paul Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, 1959.

The Past: The Organ of the Uí Cinsealaigh Historical Society, Iris Chumann Seanchais Uí Cinsealaigh, edited by Séamus S. de Vál, No. II, 1975-1976.

"The First Church in Allamakee County." Waukon: Unknown publisher, 3 Decmeber 1930.

“Wexford Church is the Oldest West of the Mississippi River.” Dubuque: Herald, 30 June 1935.

“Wexford Plans Jubilee Social.” Des Moines: Iowa Press Clipping Bureau, 31 July 1940.