St. Lawrence (Otter Creek, Iowa)

St. Lawrence (Otter Creek, Iowa)

"Catholics of northeastern Jackson County received permission from Bishop Clement Smyth to build their first church on land given by Christina Burns and her son Zachariah. The community came to be known as Burns Settlement, but the name of the location of the church changed to Otter Creek early in this century. […] The people obtained stone from a nearby quarry and began the building in 1861. When it was completed in 1866, they no longer had to travel long distances to Saint Theresa or Garryowen for Mass. They named their church for Saint Lawrence the Deacon.”

- Kurt, Rev. Msgr. Edgar, “Parish Profile #61,” The Witness, February 14, 1988.

The Archdiocese of Dubuque.
The Center for Dubuque History at Loras College.

Burback, Emily. Burns, Daniel. Gibson, Michael. Oberfoell, Carol. Waldmeir, Helen. Waldmeir, John.

Various primary and secondary sources.

English.

Loras College
Kucera Center for Catholic Thought
Frank and Ida Goedken Series: "Spiritual Life in the Upper Mississippi River Valley"

1861-
History of the Parish over the span of 158 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.

Brief History of Otter Creek Community August 1974 Booklet (2 booklets)

Bulletin 1990 (1 document)

Citation for Listing St. Lawrence Church on National Register (1 document)

Financial Statement 1951, 1968, 1982, 1984, 1989-1990 (6 collections) 

Historical Highlights Timeline (1 document)

Letter Regarding the house masses before the church was built Deutsch 1941 (1 document)

Mass of Thanksgiving Booklet Pentecost 1985 (1 booklet)

National Register of Historic Places 1966 (1 certificate)

Parish Directory and Golden Year 50^th pictures ca. 1961-1979 (2 booklets)

Pastor Cards (1 compilation)

Pastor List (7 documents)

Pastor List 1940-1957 (1 document)

“Fall Festival,” Dubuque: The Witness, Vol. LXVII No. 25, 16 August 1987.

Kilburg, Tara. “Youths reflect on service trip to Morton, Miss.” Dubuque: The Witness, 20 April 2003, p. 15.

“Laying Cornerstone at Otter Creek,” Davenport: The Iowa Messenger, 30 June 1883, p. 5.