USA > Iowa > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 47
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BAPTIST CHURCH, WEBSTER CITY
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Randolph who was very active in the work among the young men and boys. He was a generous, warmhearted christian gentleman. He passed to his reward March 28, 1908. During this pastorate several revivals were held with gratify- ing results.
On January 1, 1909, Rev. L. R. Bobbitt, of Mishawaka, Indiana, accepted the call of the church and served as pastor until March 1, 1911. During his pastor- ate Mr. Bobbitt was very active in mingling with his people and calling upon them in their homes. In November and December of 1909 the church united with four other churches in holding a union revival in a temporary tabernacle building which was situated at the corner of Des Moines and Division streets. This revival was under the leadership of Rev. M. H. Lyon.
In April, 1911, Rev. A. F. Colver accepted the call of the church and took up the work as pastor, which position he still holds. For some weeks previous to the beginning of this pastorate a great many of the members had the feeling that the church ought to have a parsonage and on April 7, 1911, the church voted to either purchase a residence property or buy a lot and build a house. Later it was decided to buy a lot and build, as no suitable residence properties seemed avail- able. May 4, 1911, it was decided to buy the lot, the third property west of the church, for $1200.00, and build a parsonage. A building committee of five was appointed, viz .: C. Il. Clifton, S. S. Parkhurst, Mrs. W. J. Zitterell, Mrs. C. H. Clifton, and Mrs. J. H. Hoag. During the summer a good modern house of eight rooms was built, costing, with the lot, a little over $5.000.00, and in October Mr. and Mrs. Colver moved in. The funds for the parsonage property were raised by subscription on the share plan, all shares to be paid in three years in install- inents.
Since the early days of the church the Ladies' Aid society has been the finan- cial bulwark of the institution. By their energy and devotion its members have helped the church through many a financial crisis that otherwise would have over- whelmed it. The Sunday school and Women's Mission Circle have also been effi- cient aids in the church work. The present membership of the church is three hundred and forty-nine. The present officers are as follows :
Pastor-Rev. A. F. Colver.
Deacons-A. A. Wicks, E. P. Scriven, Wesley Martin, N. McAninch, H. R. Dodge, John T. Teal.
Deaconesses-Mrs. E. N. Lee, Mrs. W. J. Zitterell, Mrs. J. H. Hoag.
Trustees-N. McAninch, Wesley Martin, Dr. F. E. Whitley, H. R. Dodge, C. H. Clifton.
Sunday School Superintendent-Wesley Martin.
Church Clerk-R. W. Homan.
Treasurer-C. O. Barr.
Financial Secretary-S. S. Parkhurst.
Missionary Treasurer-Mrs. J. G. Billings.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH By Charles Biernatski.
A review of the past, tracing the pathway over which in days gone by, a peo- ple have come and the events which go to make up the record of their progress
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, WEBSTER CITY
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
in their journey toward the future, is always interesting to the present. It is to be regretted that too often a more substantial record is not made of these events at the time when they occur.
Trivial and unimportant as they may appear at the time, they are the connect- ing links of things done which united, form history. As it is, in after years the only source from which information can be obtained is the hazy recollection of a few who happen to remain of those who participated in these events long years before.
In preparing this sketch of the history of the Catholic church in Webster City. the writer finds himself confronted with the difficulties attendant upon a work of this character where no recorded data of events is available, especially is this true of the early period, and he is obliged to gather such information from such sources as are within reach, using his best efforts to furnish as accurate and reliable an account as is possible under such circumstances.
The heroic endurance of hardships, self-denial, and danger undergone by the early pioneers in the settlement of the interior of Iowa, cannot be described so as to be fully comprehended and understood by those who have not had similar experiences. What they must have endured during the long weary years of their trials, deprived of the consolation of the ministrations of the church may be im- agined-possibly.
The first Catholic familes to locate permanently at or near Webster, prior to 1860, were Michael Foster and Charles Biernatzki. Phillip Fleckenstein, who was unmarried, came into the country with Michael Foster and remained here until his death many years later, and this was the 'extent of the Catholic population for several years thereafter within a radius of twenty miles of Webster City. Then came Anton Singer, Thomas Prendergast, Bernard Kelly, Nicholas Schomer, Nicholas Wagner, Bernard Wagner, Hiram Campbell, James Shea, and Florence Smith, none of whom are now living, except Anton Singer. This brings us to the time of the advent of the Illinois Central Railway into Webster City, when a number of families were added. During this period the nearest Catholic church was at Fort Dodge.
The first services of the Catholic church were held at the home of Bernard Kelly, in the month of May, 1869, Father Butler of Fort Dodge, officiating. This was the first time that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered up in Hamilton county. As previously stated about the time of the completion of the Illinois Central railroad into Webster City, in 1869, several more families were added to the Catholic population, and from that time forward services were held occasion- ally, in halls or at the homes of some of the members, until a parish was finally established. In 1870 Father O'Dowd, who was in charge of a parish at Ackley, was sent by Bishop Hennessey to Webster City to organize a parish. This event marks the beginning of the history of the Catholic church at Webster City.
Father O'Dowd visited Webster City in the early summer of 1870 for the purpose of organizing the new parish, and his coming was hailed with joy by those who had been patiently waiting for such an event for so many years. Some- time during the year, or early the following year, a meeting was held, at which the matter of building a church was discussed, and the location decided upon was in the outskirts of Webster City, on the east side of the river and three lots were Vol. 1-26
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
secured for that purpose. However appropriate this location may have been, or appeared to be at the time it was selected, the choice made was unques- tionably a serious mistake. The church, a brick structure, was built in the fall of 1871. The interior was not plastered nor pews put in until a couple of years later. Meanwhile services were held with considerable irregularity, word being sent by Father O'Dowd to some of the members, with instructions to notify others when he would hold services at Webster City, and this state of things continued for some time after the church was built.
About the same time that he organized the parish of Webster City, Father O'Dowd, as ordered by Bishop Hennessey, organized a parish at Williams, six- teen miles east of Webster City, and another at Belmond, thirty-six miles north- east. These parishes were for several years thereafter, attached to Webster City. Father O'Dowd said Mass at Webster City and the two places named whenever he could, and it must have been at great inconvenience to himself for he had his own parish to look after. He was succeeded by Rev. Father O'Keeffe, in 1875.
Father O'Dowd, who after many years of hard labor in the service of the Master, a few months ago was called to his eternal reward, was a man of rare character. During the time he had charge of the parish at Webster City. he so endeared himself to the people in his charge, by his devoted and earnest labor among them that his memory will be cherished, and his name remembered with grateful recollection by the few remaining members of the parish which he estab- lished more than forty years ago.
Father O'Keeffe took charge of the parish in 1875 and was its first resident priest. During his administration he was also in charge of the parishes of Wil- liams and Belmond, and services were held at Webster City, on two Sundays in each month. This was a decided improvement. Father O'Keeffe purchased a tract of land southwest of the city, for a cemetery, which bears the name of Calvary.
Father O'Keeffe was succeeded by Rev. Father Brennan in August. 1881. Shortly after his arrival, a parish was organized at Eagle Grove, and placed in his charge in connection with Webster City. This arrangement continued for some time, when Eagle Grove parish was given a resident priest. A few years later Williams was given a resident priest ( Belmond having been cut off from Webster City some years before), and the parish of Webster City had services every Sunday, for the first time after its establishment.
During the early part of Father Brennan's administration a house was pur- chased near the church, for a pastoral residence. The year 1883 was signalized by the first apostolic visit to Webster City, by Bishop Hennessey, when a class of about one hundred received the sacrament of Confirmation.
Father Daly, who succeeded Father Brennan, took charge of the parish in November, 1895, and at once went to work at the difficult task which lay before him with an energy and devotion seldom equalled. Ile found the people disunited. and the parish in debt. The parish was incorporated under the laws of Iowa, in 1897. with the corporate name of "The Catholic Society of Webster City." Father Daly at once realized that a mistake had been made years before in the location of the church, and he soon decided that a new location upon which a new church should be erected, must be secured in the most suitable location to be had in the city. In the early part of the year, 1898, a tract of ground 200x234 front-
THE OLD CATHOLIC CHURCH, WEBSTER CITY
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
ing on Des Moines street, and across from the courthouse was purchased for the sum of $2700. At this time there was no immediate prospect of building a new church upon the new location. The society was now in debt occasioned by the purchase of the new property. The old property would have to be disposed of and money raised before such an undertaking could be considered. Father Daly had been a busy man from the time of his coming to the parish, and his health failing he was given a parish in the northern part of the state where his labors would not be so severe, as they must necessarily be at Webster City, and in July, 1898, he gave up the parish.
Father Daly was a man of the purest and noblest type. His deep and earnest piety, and his sincere conscientious scruples in his dealings with others, his un- sparing devotion to the people whose spiritual welfare was given in his charge, made his life an example worthy of imitation, and imposed upon those he so faithfully labored for, an obligation which would be ingratitude in them to for- get. He was gifted in many respects. A brilliant speaker, his sermons were gems of oratory in which were beautifully portrayed the doctrines of the church he loved so faithfully and well, and which could not fail to impress upon those who heard them salutary lessons. He found the parish disunited and in dis- order, and left it with order and harmony restored. His early death in the sum- mer of 1901, removed from earth one of whom it may be truly said: "the world was better for his having lived."
Father Hogan took charge of the parish temporarily after the departure of Father Daly, until an appointment to fill the vacancy was made. Archbishop Hennessey in the fall of 1898, appointed Rev. Father O'Brien pastor of the parish. He at once went to work to prepare for the erection of a church edifice upon the new location secured for that purpose by Father Daly. Under the cir- cumstances existing this was a formidable undertaking, for a considerable debt on the proposed site for the new church was still unpaid, and the church property owned by the society had to be sold and converted into cash, something not easy to do, owing to the fact that property in the locality had greatly depreciated in value and was not desirable. Besides, money had to be secured in addition to what was possible to be realized from the sale of the property, and which meant under any circumstances, an indebtedness to a considerable extent to be placed upon the society. Nevertheless, Father O'Brien with a persistency not easily shaken, kept on and during the winter of 1899 and 1900 had plans prepared for building the new church, and the society having disposed of the old church prop- erty in the meantime, so that in the spring of 1900, after paying off all outstand- ing obligations, there was on hand the sum of $1,666, with which to begin oper- ations.
Archbishop Hennessey died in January, 1900, and was succeeded by Arch- bishop Keane. as Archbishop of Dubuque, during the same year. This change was distinguished by the division of the diocese of Dubuque by Pope Pius the Tenth, by which was erected the diocese of Sioux City from the western part, with the dividing line on the line of Webster and Hamilton counties. The effect of this change on the parish of Webster City was to give to it additional territory.
It having been determined to build the new church, a contract was entered into, and the work begun in May. 1900. The cornerstone was laid on Sunday, July 3, 1900, before a vast concourse of people, Father Garland of Eagle Grove
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
conducting the impressive ceremonies, assisted by several priests. Rev. John J. Carroll, D.D., president of St. Joseph's College, Dubuque, now Bishop of the diocese of Helena, delivered the address upon this notable occasion.
On December 26, the building was accepted by the society from the contractor, and on January 6, 1901, it was solemnly dedicated to the worship of Almighty God, by Most Rev. Archbishop Keane. During the exercises, morning and even- ing, the capacity of the new church was packed to its utmost by the vast assem- blage who were present to witness the imposing and impressive ceremonies. This event was a red letter day in the history of Catholicism in Webster City. The Catholic people had just cause to feel proud on this occasion. The old church was, in fact, outside the city and for many years it was the most insignificant structure of its kind in the city, while the new temple of worship was not only second to none as to location, but it surpassed them all in the beauty of its architecture and in its substantial character. The new church was placed under the patronage of St. Thomas Aquinas, whose name it bears.
St. Thomas Aquinas church is Romanesque in style of architecture, of a strict ecclesiastical type in the form of a Latin cross. Its dimensions are ninety feet in length by forty-two feet in width across the naves and fifty-four feet across the transept, the foundations are of stone resting upon 12 inches of concrete, the walls are of hard brick with red pressed brick on outside, the windows are furnished with ornamental opalescent glass, the basement is the full size of the building, and is 9 feet in height with stone and brick partitions, and is finished throughout.
The interior of the church is finished and furnished completely, heated by steam and lighted by electricity. Its seating capacity is six hundred and its total cost, including interior furnishings is $17,000.
In the fall of 1905, Father O'Brien was succeeded by Rev. Father Norton.
The pastorate of Father Norton is distinguished by the advancement and prog- ress attained by the society in many ways. The building of the new church had involved the society in debt to the extent of more than $9,000, which was still unpaid, when Father Norton took charge of the parish. In addition to the heavy burden of indebtedness resting upon the society, many necessary improvements and furnishings were required for the interior of the church, and besides, the parish was without a suitable pastoral residence.
ยท Father Norton met the situation with an indomitable energy and unsparing devotion which the difficulties presented could not dispel. He proceeded upon the theory that the "only way to get rid of a debt was to pay it." and the sooner the better, and then stay out of debt. Pay what you owe in all things was the watchword. These salutary admonitions were carried into effect. In less than three years the entire indebtedness was fully paid, and the interior of the church. to the extent of more than $2,000, furnished and finished and all paid for. The parish was out of debt. Father Norton personally donated most liberally to- wards this remarkable showing.
In the year 1900, it was determined to build a parochial residence, and work was started upon that undertaking. The building was completed in May, 1910. The building is of a substantial character, and is modern in all of its arrangement and conveniences, and completely finished and furnished at a cost of over $7.000, and fully paid for.
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
To the energetic efforts of Father Norton, coupled with the personal assist- ance which he so liberally extended, is the credit due that the material affairs of the parish advanced so rapidly during his pastorate.
In the month of April, 1908, the Catholic society of Webster City, conveyed its property to Most Rev. John J. Keane, Archbishop of Dubuque. Subsequently the health of the archbishop failing, he asked permission to resign his office, which request was granted by Pope Pius the Tenth, in 1910. During the same year Right Rev. James J. Keane, bishop of Cheyenne, was appointed to the vacant Metropolitan See of Dubuque, who soon after became its archbishop, and to whom passed the property belonging to St. Thomas Aquinas church at Webster City. On November 27, 1911, a corporation was formed under the laws of Iowa, with its principal place of business at Webster City, for the management and control of the temporal affairs of the parish, to be known by the corporate name of "St. Thomas Aquinas church." This corporation is governed by a board of directors consisting of five members, two of whom shall be the archbishop and vicar general of the archdiocese who shall be president and secretary, respect- ively, the remaining three members being chosen from members of the parish one of whom shall be the pastor, and two members of the laity.
Father Norton was succeeded by Rev. Father Thomas A. Barry in the month of July, the present year, and who is now the pastor of the parish.
The present membership of the parish is about three hundred.
In closing this sketch of the history of the Catholic church in Webster City, it is thought proper to call attention to an important reason why the advance of Catholicism in and about Webster City was not more rapid during the period recorded extending over so many years. It should be remembered that this is an agricultural region, and at the time when opportunities were best to secure homes in Hamilton county, there was no Catholic church here. Catholic settlers who desired to locate here, finding no church established, would pass on to locate elsewhere, giving this as the only reason. This fact will be verified by non-Catholics as well as Catholics living here, prior to 1869. Another reason may be offered and one which still exists, has greatly retarded the growth of the church, is the fact that the parish is without a school. The establishment of a parochial school is, however, being contemplated by the parish, and steps taken for that purpose have now been inaugurated and in the near future a school will be in operation. The value of the church property is about $30,000.
Societies of the parish are : Ladies' Sodality of the Rosary, to which nearly all of the ladies of the parish belong; Ladies' Altar Society, Knights of Columbus Clement Council No. -.
HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF WEBSTER CITY, IOWA
By M. L. Melick, Pastor
The first settlers of Hamilton county were largely from the Scandinavian countries and so were of the faith and usages of the Lutheran church. Many others of the same faith came from Europe and from France. They were there- fore an educated people, well grounded in the faith of the historic church of the Reformation. While these people continue their Bible schools, in this country,
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they are also in entire sympathy with the public school system of America. There- fore, their children at once learned the English language and many were soon ready to enter English churches. They went into various Protestant churches until they gave largely tone and character to the services of the churches they entered. However, with a conservation due to the teachings and usages of the church of the Reformation, the time came for the organization of an Evangelical English Lutheran church in Webster City.
The first man to take up the work leading to such an organization was Mr. Osmund Ellingson. By writing, he laid the interests of an English Lutheran church in Webster City before the board of home missions of the Evangelical Lutheran church of the general synod in the United States. Said board sent its western secretary, Rev. S. B. Barnitz, D.D. of Des Moines, to make a visit to Webster City. Dr. Barnitz spent Lord's Day, June 14. 1896, in Webster City, preaching in the courthouse in the morning and in the United Brethren church in the evening. Both services were well attended and a deep interest was man- ifest. Deeply impressed with the importance of the work, the general board at once referred the matter to the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Iowa, Rev. J. C. Jacoby, D.D., president. Dr. Jacoby, as president of synod, arranged with neighboring pastors to supply Webster City with English Lutheran services once every two weeks from June 28, 1896, to October 11, 1896. In the meantime, the synod of Iowa met in regular annual convention at Burlington, Iowa, and the matter of a Webster City organization was referred to the advisory board of home missions of the synod. Through the cooperation of this board and the people of Webster City, the work of the English Lutheran church was launched.
On October 12, 1896, a meeting was held in the office of Osmund Ellingson when the president of the synod was present and arrangements were made to begin regular services November 8th, with Rev. J. C. Jacoby, D. D. as pastor. Accord- ingly, at 7:35 p. m., November 3, 1896, Dr. Jacoby, with his family, arrived in the city to take charge of the work. Services were commenced in the courthouse and on February 28, 1897. Rev. J. C. Jacoby D. D., was formally installed as pastor.
CHURCH ORGANIZED
December 20, 1896, the English Evangelical Lutheran church of Webster City, Iowa, was organized with thirty-nine charter members. On December 22d, this organization was completed by adopting a constitution and by electing a church council. The following officers were elected : Elders-Peter Mathre and Charles Swanson ; Deacons-J. O. Lenning, Ole I. Kleveland, Simon Sogard, and Henry C. Kesicker. These officers were formally installed January 3. 1897.
FIRST COMMUNION SERVICE
On Palm Sunday, April 11, 1897, twenty-eight new members were received. enlarging the roll to sixty-five. Services were continued every night 'till Easter Sunday, April 18, when the congregation held its first Holy Communion service in its history.
CHURCH PROPERTY
On June 8, 1897, a meeting of the congregation was held in the pastor's res- idence to determine the location of a church. After earnest prayer and due
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deliberation, the congregation resolved to purchase the P. C. Babcock property on Des Moines street, opposite the east side of the courthouse park, at a con- sideration of $2,500.00, which has proved to be a very desirable location.
CHURCH BUILDING
With the location secured, the congregation was now ready to plan for a church building. With this end in view, the pastor in his annual report under date of Jan. 1I, 1898 recommended : "That the pastor be instructed to circulate a subscription to raise funds for the erection of a church building and that the ain to be secure in cash and subscription at least three thousand dollars before proceeding to draw plans." This recommendation was adopted.
At a subsequent meeting, J. O. Lenning, P. Mathre and Anton Olson were appointed a building committee, with instructions to receive and report on suit- able plans for the proposed church building. At a meeting of the congregation, Sept. 12, 1898, the building committee recommended as the most desirable plan, one from Messrs. Omeyer and Thori of St. Paul, Minn., for a building to cost $5,600. A considerable part of this amount was provided for by cash and sub- scriptions, the balance remaining as a debt against the property for the time being.
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