USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume I > Part 59
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Through the other ordinary means of collections and donations this amount was increased in a short time to the extent of $10,000.00. To this fund his graee, Archbishop Keane. of Dubuque, contributed $500.00.
At Christmas, 1903, the necessary property was secured, and on Angust 4, 1904, the corner stone was laid, and on October 18, 1905, the new church was ded- ieated with solemn and impressive ceremony. The occasion was one long to be remembered by the people of St. Wenceslans and Cedar Rapids in general. The new church is beautiful in design and faultless in execution. It was erected at a cost of about $40.000.00, a lasting monument to the zeal and efficiency of the pastor and to the piety and generosity of the Bohemians of Cedar Rapids.
The parochial school erected in Kather Kopecky's time is his imperishable monument. It is in charge of the Sisters of Mercy. It is a beautiful building, plain and substantial in its style, spacious and well ventilated and well ealeulated to develop a sound mind in a healthy body. There are about 175 pupils at pres- ent attending the school and sowing the seed which will enable them to develop into sturdy men and women.
ST. PATRICK'S, CEDAR RAPIDS
St. Patrick's parish on the west side, Cedar Rapids, was organized April 18, 1886. Its first resident pastor was Rev. T. F. Richardson, who was transferred from Fairfax. The first parish church was a modest frame structure on Second avenue and Seventh street west. While its seating capacity was limited yet it gave ample accommodation for the few parishioners, whose interests had hereto- fore been attended to, from the parent church on the east side, and occasionally from Fairfax. Father Richardson retained the charge till the time of his death, which occurred on September 12, 1888. After his demise the interests of the young and struggling parish were entrusted to Rev. M. J. Quirk, who was sue- ceeded by the present incumbent, Rev. T. J. Sullivan who was appointed Novem- her 17, 1889.
At this time many were loeating on the west side who retired from the country around to spend the evening of life in a well earned rest after enduring for years the trials and difficulties of pioneer conditions. Soon the little frame church became inadequate to the needs of the place, and Father Sullivan, with that solicitude which has ever marked his life and labor, began to entertain the wish of a more suitable building. It did not take long for his efforts to be sup- ported by the hand and heart of his people, and on October 18, 1891, the corner stone of the present beautiful building was laid. The late Very Rev. Father Gunn officiated and the sermon on the occasion was delivered by the Rev. C. M. Carroll, D. D.
The new church at First avenue and Fifth street west was dedicated on Angust 28, 1892, by Bishop Hennessy, of Dubuque.
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St. Patrick's church is one of the most sightly buildings in the city and when the freseoing which is now being done is completed it will be one of the neatest houses of worship in the city.
The building when completed cost about $15,000.00. Father Sullivan took charge of the parish about November 17, 1889. The congregation is now large and representative.
Having secured a beautiful church Father Sullivan's next undertaking was the building of a school in keeping with the needs of the parish. The corner stone of this beautiful and spacions building was laid on May 10, 1902, by Dean Gunn.
The school is in charge of the Sisters of Charity of the B. V. M., whose mother house is at Mount Carmel, Dubuque. The Sisters of Charity as educators hold a similar place in the religious congregation of women to that occupied by the Jesuits among the male orders. They are the leaders in their respective classes. And the pupils turned ont by both orders today are an honor to their alma mater.
There are several sodalities and societies attached to St. Patrick's church and the parish is growing rapidly.
THE CHURCH AT PRAIRIEBURG
It has been asserted that the first mass celebrated in Linn county was at Prairieburg. This assertion I have sought to establish, but have failed, so I take it for what it is worth. As far as I ean learn the first mass was said in a log house belonging to James Brislawn, but who the priest was I have not been able to establish. The first authentic record we have is when Rev. P. J. Maher, late of De Witt, then at Anamosa, officiated in the home of Bernard Mclaughlin in 1872. The present brick church on the prairie at which a goodly number worship and which is in charge of Rev. Fr. I. J. Norris of Stone City, was erected by Fr. Maher in 1874. The Bohemian element who live in and around Prairieburg built a church a few years ago in the town. It is in charge of Father Ballon of Oxford Junetion.
THE FAIRFAX CHURCH
The first Catholic church in Fairfax was built by Fr. John in 1875. This cradle of christianity in the wilds was located on the state road in Johnson eonnty about six miles southeast of Fairfax. For the construction of this prime- val temple oak logs were hauled from the Henderson mills on the Iowa river be- low Robert's Ferry. From this same mill, which was the only one at that time in these parts, except the Snouffer mills in Cedar Rapids, the early settlers hauled the lumber for their log cabins and for the shelter sheds for their limited live stock. This pioneer church in Fairfax district was afterwards removed to Wal- ford, later to the site of the present building.
After Fr. John came Fr. Urbin occasionally from Norway. He returned to Bohemia and died there.
Among the early settlers were John Flaherty, who came in 1855; John B. Murray in 1858, Wm. MeNamara, Andrew Stark, whose children now enjoy the fruits of his labors; the McDonalds, O'Connells, Donohues, Winekes, Wickies, Brechts, Springer, Barretts, O'Hara, P. Flynn, Foleys, Cook, Haydens, Hager, Cahill, Langan, Killeen, Kehoe, Meehan, Harrington, Lilly, Murray, Cannon, O'Brien,
Before this time however there were some scattered settlers in and around the site of the present town. Among the early settlers were Thos. Murray, fath- er of J. E. Murray and Charles Murray of this city, John B. Murray who came from Illinois in '56 or '58, and located in Benton county, John Flaherty, father of P. Flaherty, who eame from Illinois in '55 by way of Iowa City. In those days
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there were very few settlers and the country around was densely wooded where the wild deer and wolf held undisputed sway. The nearest and only Catholic church was in Iowa City and there the pioneers journeyed periodically to make their peace with God. There were no roads, and travelers were compelled to follow the beaten path through thicket and forest. In these journeyings danger and difficulty were ever present. The hardships endured for the sake of re- ligion remind one of the experiences of Saul of Tarsus. Whenever Father En- mons came from Iowa City to Cedar Rapids, his intention was declared some days before and a herald brought the glad news to the settlers who came in from their desert haunts and swelled the congregation at Cedar Rapids. These were literally the days when these faithful pioneers, poor in the world's goods but rieh in faith, hungered and thirsted after justice.
When the church was built at Cedar Rapids the faithful at Fairfax wore looked after for some years till their number inereased. Fr. Urbin, who was stationed at Norway, later on also aided in keeping the lamp of faith burning brightly. This was along about 1868. Later on Fr. John Chemlar took care of their interests till in 1875 Father O'Farrell came to abide with the faithful of Fairfax and was their first resident priest.
The field of operation in Fairfax was too limited for the zeal of Father O'Far- rell and he remained only a short time. He was succeeded by Father McCaffrey who was energetic in his labors, but beeanse limited- in his resources was not able to accomplish much, and time hung heavily on his hands. He left soon after After this time, however, things began to look more encouraging and we find some such sturdy men as John Flaherty, Thomas Murray, John Murray, Pat Harrington, Wm. Harrington, Maurice Cahill, Andrew Garrett, John Sears, Henry Wiekie, putting their shoulders to the wheel and from their limited re- sources, giving material aid in the upbuilding of conditions. The next resident priest was Father Quinn who came from the east. He was a man of action. He set to work and organized the parish in practical shape and doubtless had he been spared Fairfax would be today one of the leading parishes in Linn county. He died after two years from pneumonia contracted while attending to his flock.
After the death of Father Quinn, charge of affairs was assumed by Father Kelly, who was sueceeded by Father Richardson, who enlarged the church edifice, which still remains a monument of early days and pioneer conditions, but hardly in keeping with these days of opulence and ease. After about four years pas- torate in Fairfax, during which time he attended Cedar Rapids west side people, he was transferred to the west side of Cedar Rapids and built the first church in that place.
This church was located at Second avenue and Fifth street west, and was a frame structure 60x32 feet. It was at this time, April 18, 1886, that St. Patrick's parish was first organized and Father Richardson was its first pastor and he retained the charge until his death in September. 1SSS. Father John Brogan assumed the charge of Fairfax parish in April, 1886, and remained seven years, during which time he labored earnestly for the good of religion and was much beloved by the people. During his pastorate he built a beautiful, well equipped modern residence, which still remains and is occupied by the present inenmbent. After Father Brogan's removal Father John Hogan assumed the charge of the Fairfax parish and during his stay of five years he labored zealously to pay off the indebtedness on the church property and has improved things generally. He afterwards exchanged Fairfax for his present charge Van Horne, and Father Thomas Reynolds of Van Horne came to Fairfax where he remained till his death. Ile was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. P. Reynolds, who has done much to better conditions and who hopes one day to build a church in keep- ing with the present enviable status of this wealthy community.
THE LATE VERY REVEREND DEAN GUNN
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THE CHURCH AT WALKER
For many years, the faithful of this town and the surrounding districts were attended from Independence. In 1887 Very Rev. Fr. O'Dowd, of Independence, erected a church at Walker, and for four years attended to the same from his home in Independence. In 1891 a new parish was established by Bishop Hen- nessy, and Rev. James Ryan, now of Calmar, Ia., was appointed first resident pastor. Having a church already secured the new pastor directed his zeal to- wards the erection of the present parochial residence. While the parish was not numerically extensive, yet what it lacked in numbers was supplied in interest and zeal, and the new pastor in his apostolic spirit and unflagging zeal soon had the good will of his congregation entirely at his disposal and with their generous co- operation in hand and heart and as far as circumstances permitted in currency, he erected a fine home for the use of the priest and had it paid for in a short time. During his stay of three years in the parish he also improved and completed the conditions in church and church property which required attention. Fr. Ryan is the best type of a truly apostolic priest, the zeal of God's house and the hap- piness of God's people, being the single purpose which at all times animates and actuates his life and action.
After three years, Archbishop Hennessy, recognizing his earnestness and efficiency, assigned him to a new and more varied field of operation and he was succeeded at Walker by Rev. John MeNamara, now of Key West, Dubuque. Fr. McNamara's stay in Walker was of only short duration, about three months, when in obedience to the wish of authority he went to Key West. After his de- parture the present pastor, Rev. Wm. Leen, assumed jurisdiction and his stay in Walker for sixteen years is the explanation of the present flourishing condi- tion of the parish. Vast improvements have been effected, in the church and church property, and today Walker takes its place not only among the Catholic churches in Linn county but among the churches in any county in the state.
The pastor is a most zealous and priestly man, an erudite scholar and a pro- found and persistent student. He is not selfish, and generously gives of the fruits of his research through the columns of pamphlet and press. Fr. Leen also occasionally lets his thoughts run along metrical lines.
Besides Walker, Fr. Leen also extends his zeal and paternal care to Rowley and another mission station which is not in Linn county. But while frequently engaged in historical research, and contributing to current literature, he finds abundant time and opportunity to feed the sheep and the lambs over which he is shepherd and does his duty so well that he is most popular not only with his charge but with the community in general.
THE MARION CHURCH
One of the prettiest churches in Linn county today is St. Joseph's at Marion. It was built by the present pastor, Father P. M. Loughvane. Like most other places in Linn county the carly settlers in Marion had to endure hardships for their religion. The settlers were few and far between and the only consolation they had from a religious standpoint was the occasional visit of a missionary priest from some outside charge.
In the years 1855 and 1856 a good priest named Father Smith came occasion- ally from Iowa City to minister to their needs and preach them a word of en- couragement. In those days Father Emmons also came from Iowa City and contributed to keep the lamp of faith burning. Father Laurent, of Muscatine, also came to Marion occasionally and did missionary work among the pioneers.
A a rule the faithful journeyed to Iowa City whenever the weather permitted. In these days there were no automobiles nor telephone service, and it was not at
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all uncommon for the travelers to be weather bound on their way to or from the seene of their religions observance. Sometimes they had to sleep all night in the wagon in the midst of the woods when the swollen streams prevented their going any farther. It looks like something one may read about, but there are those living today who recall it as a fact. Waiting till the river flowed by, or at least till its enrrent became less rapid, or till the hidden ford appeared - such were the trials of pioneer days in Linn county, and such the tests the faithful were subjected to.
After 1870, Marion was attended by Father Lowry, of Cedar Rapids. After Father Lowry's time the faithful of Marion were attended by Father Richardson, of Fairfax, and after his transfer to St. Patrick's he continued to minister to their needs. His successor, Father MeQuirk, continued to assist in bringing the consolations of religion to the early settlers. In later days Father John Brogan. of Fairfax, ministered to their needs whenever time and opportunity permitted.
Father Timothy Sullivan, after his appointment to St. Patrick's, also min- istered to their needs and to this day has many friends who are mindful of his kindness in the days of want.
The first resident priest in Marion was Father Laffin, who came in 1890. At this time and indeed previous to this the chief settlers in the Marion distriet were the Senekir family, the Reillys, the Davises, Colburts, Zimmermans, and Zackeries, and these were the first who took hold and established the first church.
The church, by reason of the fewness of its members, was a difficult problem to maintain. It was supported chiefly by the active and energetie assistance of the people in holding sociables and pienies and such other ways and means as were worthy of the noble cause.
When the building was completed there was an indebtedness of $1,800, and nothing to pay this amount from. The sale of the property was threatened by those who held the lien on the church. But the zealous and hard-working mem- bers of the congregation set to work, and in two years this amount was paid off.
After Father Laffin's departure the charge was taken by Rev. J. Hartigan, now at Strawberry Point. For eight years this zealous and interested young priest labored early and late for the welfare and comfort of his floek. During his time the present parochial residence was ereeted at a cost of $3,000. It is a modest, unpretentious building, hut fitted up with all the modern systems of hygienic and healthful appliances. Not content with being comfortably housed himself, Father Hartigan decided to secure also a becoming habitation for his Lord and Master. He decided that a new church was now a matter of necessity in Marion, and gradually he got the members of the congregation to his way of thinking. He held fairs and sociables to obtain the necessary funds to make his dream a reality, and at his transfer from Marion he left in the church treasury more than $2,000 as a nueleus for the new church building. The completion of the work was, however, reserved for his no less interested and zealous successor.
Writing of the conditions in Marion at his appointment, Fr. Hartigan says:
"I got my appointment to the charge in the winter of 1896, about December 1st, and I shall never forget my feelings on arriving there. I found the parish in excellent condition to try a man's grit and patience. There were about thirty- five families, more or less actively engaged in parish work. There was a debt of upwards of $3,000, with no home except a log cabin, and an old church that had stood the test of the winters' blast for well nigh forty years. I heard murmurs on all sides, some thinking that all their property would be lost. I had many expressions of sympathy. I told the people in very few words that I was not look- ing for sympathy (although I needed it). that I was sent there to work, that. works, not words, were of more avail in those eirenmstances. I tried to arouse their fainting spirits and told them to go and put their shoulder to the wheel,
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which they did with a willingness and energy that was beyond my most ardent aspirations. In about two years we had the parish clear of debt. Then it was necessary to build a home to supplant the poor log cabin, one of the old landmarks that did its work for well nigh half a century. To show the dilapidated condition of that abode I may say that I was frequently compelled to move my bed around to escape the rainfall. But thanks to the generosity of the people and their willingness to work and to give, the home was built in almost as short a time as it would take to tell it. It was a gigantic undertaking at the time, but where there is a will there is a way, and the home was built and paid for in about one year after the church property debt was liquidated. That home eost ahout $3,000, and every cent was paid before it was oeeupied. Then the cement side- walks were laid at a cost of about $120, and last but not least came the greatest struggle of all. The parish had progressed so far so well, and it was my desire and the people's desire that their work should be crowned with suecess. The crowning work of all was the building of that magnificent little church that now stands on the corner of Tenth street. It was not my privilege to see it built before I left the parish, but for that purpose the people and myself labored tooth and nail in season and out of season, so that when I got my appointment to Strawberry Point in October, 1904, I turned over to the present pastor upwards of $2,000. I may say hefore I close that the spiritual advancement of the people more than kept pace with the material development of the parish."
Rev. P. M. Loughnane, the present pastor of St. Joseph's, was born in County Kerry, Ireland. He received his classical education at St. Brendan's Seminary, Killarney, and studied philosophy and theology at St. Patrick's College, Thurles, where he was ordained to the priesthood on June 18, 1893. Coming to Dubuque, he was assigned as assistant to Very Rev. E. MeLoughlin, at St. Mary's, Clinton, Iowa. He was afterwards transferred to take charge of the parish at Sabula. Thence he went to State Center, in Marshall county, where he remained eight years. While at State Center he interested himself much in school work which he loved. Fr. Loughnane is a versatile scholar, a man of bright mind, and keen sense of discernment. His ability as a priest he has demonstrated by the beauti- ful new church which will ever remain a monument to his competency and the earnestness and worth of his people. Bearing in mind that the congregation at Marion is not numerically large nor gifted with the possession of any too much of this world's goods, the saerifices they made for the new church are much en- hanced. The greater number of the members of the charge are railroad employes and more or less of a fluctuating class. But the Catholic heart is cold and cal- lons, indeed, that cannot grow eloquent with faith when contemplating the visible, the material evidence of a great personal sacrifice for the faith.
Soon after his advent to St. Joseph's parish the pastor applied all his energy to collect for the new church, and by earnest and energetic effort raised about $5,000, each and every member of the congregation doing his or her duty in a manner truly admirable.
THE CHURCH AT LISBON
One of the oldest, if not the mother church in Linn county, is that at Lisbon. We have evidence of its existence and of early settlers for whose use it was erected dating as far back as 1854. Records show that Fr. Emmons, of Iowa City, the father of Catholicity in Linn county, made frequent visits to the little town, and baptized and ministered to the needs of the early settlers. Even farther back than 1854 it is on reeord that this pioneer of the faith offered the holy sacrifice and administered the holy saeraments in the home of Thomas McAllister, east of the town of Lisbon.
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There are those living today who remember these times and conditions, and the fact is not questioned that some of the present members of the Lisbon congre- gation were regenerated by the saving waters of baptism in the home of Thomas McAllister, and it is even possible to meet occasionally those who well remember Father Emmons and his teaching.
It was through the efforts of this faithful pioneer shepherd, aided by the good will and support of the scattered few, that the old church of Lisbon was called into existence, and it is through veneration for the pastor and the pioneer that it is still allowed to stand, though no longer used for divine worship. This old landmark was erected in 1854. The site on which the little edifice was ereeted was donated by Jacob S. Pfautz, who also contributed to the present church building. Be it said to their eternal honor that among the contributors for the first church there are several names which are not belonging to the limited list of Catholies of those days.
Among the pioneers of those days we find such names as Peter Heller, George Ringer, Mike Hoover, Samuel Bell, Fred Rabenau, William Andre, Thomas MeClelland, 1. G. Trigenfuse, Sam Ellison, John Walton, J. A. MeClelland. Jos- eph Owens, Thomas Andre, and others.
Father Emmons was only a missionary in Lisbon at the time his home charge was lowa City, but as far as preaching and teaching the word and breaking the bread of life to the children of the faith his jurisdiction was not confined by any boundary or limitation.
The first resident pastor of Lisbon was Rev. W. Downey, who resided there for about three years after his term of service. Father Daly followed, and for a short time resided in Lisbon, and afterwards in Mechanicsville, and is spending the evening of his life in Atlantic, Iowa. After this time Lisbon was attached to Marion and was attended for a while by Father Laffin. When Father Hartigan succeeded to the charge at Marion he also attended Lisbon.
It was reserved, however, to the present popular pastor of Marion, Rev. P. M. Loughnane, to add another laurel to his erown by replacing the old time-honored landmark with the present ornate and well designed church building.
The Catholic cemetery, which is a part of the property of this charge, was purchased in Father Downey's time.
THE SISTERS OF MERCY
The Sisters of Merey eame to Cedar Rapids on the Feast of St. Mary Mag- dalen, 22d July, 1875. They came from Davenport, which at that time was subject to Dubuque Bishop for there was only one diocese in lowa. Sister Mary Isadore and Sister Mary Gertrude were the first to visit Cedar Rapids, and in a few weeks afterwards Sister Mary Agatha and Sister Mary Franeis came. These four formally took possession of the building which had been seenred for school purposes, and in September, 1875, St. Joseph's Academy and parish school was opened for the first time in Cedar Rapids.
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