"About the time this Clayton County town was looking for a name, Abd-el-Kader, an Algerian chieftain, was leading his countrymen to freedom. His bravery thrilled these Americans, and they named the town for him. Missionaries visited Elkader in the 1840s and 1850s. Then Father Patrick McGinnis came in 1856 as resident pastor. At that time the parish was named for the Nativity of Our Blessed Lady, but by 1869 it was known as Saint Joseph Parish." - Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, Parish Profile #39, The Witness, September 6, 1987 Saint Joseph Parish, Elkader
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.
1856- First Church 1856- Second Church 1897-1900 History of the parish over the span of 163 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.
"In 1860 Father John J. Aylward, pastor of nearby Bankston, began a frame church at Farley Junction, about a mile from the present church site. In 1867 Father Charles McGauran, pastor of Bankston, saw to the building of a rock church, which was used until dismantled for use in the present church. Well into the present century most of the members were Irish, and many of the pastors were also Irish. One of them served a long pastorate. Father David J. Slattery, from 1884 to 1912. He is remembered for his efforts in placing orphan children in the homes of his parishioners and caring for some in his own home." - Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, Parish Profile #43, The Witness, October 4, 1987 Saint Joseph Parish, Farley
1861- History of the parish over the span of 158 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.
"Saint Joseph Parish in Garnavillo began early in the history of the archdiocese. According to tradition, Father Joseph Cretin, who later became the first bishop of Saint Paul, came from Dubuque and celebrated Mass in the homes of John Barrett and William Schulte for the small group of Catholics in Clayton County. In 1843 about 20 families erected a small frame church in the settlement and named it for Saint Bridgit or Brigitt and the saint gave her name to the community. This was the first Catholic church in Clayton County." - Kurt, Rev. Msgr. Edgar, Parish Profile #8, The Witness, January 25, 1987. Saint Joseph Parish, Garnavillo
1877- History of the parish over the span of 142 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.
"Michael J. Quirk and Father Michael Lynch were the first priests to visit the Greeley area to care for the early Catholic settlers in the 1860s. On those occasions the James Fitzpatrick home became a temporary chapel for the Greeley and Edgewood faithful. Under Father Quirk’s supervision the first Catholic church was built in Greeley in 1870 and dedicated to Saint Joseph. It was a frame structure 50 x 30 and served until 1952." - Rev. Edgar Kurt, "Profile #190," The Witness, 9 September 1990.
History of the parish, including information about its priests and parishioners.
Historical documents pertaining to the history of Saint Joseph parish in Independence, Iowa.
History of the parish including information about its priests and parishioners.
“Catholics residing southwest of Dubuque, in Mosalem and Table Mound Townships, were organized into a parish in 1872 by Father Thomas J. O’Reilly, a priest of the Cathedral in Dubuque. Father Samuel Mazzuchelli and Bishop Mathias Loras had celebrated Mass in the area much earlier. In the 1840s Bishop Loras had a small frame church built on Table Mound, a short distance from the present Key West church and near the Old Mount Saint Bernard Seminary, but it lasted only a few years. Father James Ward was appointed the first resident pastor of about 35 families in June of 1873. He lodged with one of the families and a rectory was finished in 1874. But Father Ward was not about to live in it, as he turned it over to the Presentation Sisters, newly arrived from Ireland. It was their first motherhouse in Iowa.” - Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, “Parish Profile #70: Saint Joseph Parish, Key West.” Dubuque: The Witness, 17 April 1988.
1872- History of the parish over the span of 147 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.
“When the railroad came to Marion, it brought the families of Irish workers. Recognizing the need for a larger church, Father Hartigan’s parishioners purchased property and collected funds. In 1905 a brick structure named for Saint Joseph was built on the corner of 5th Avenue and 10th Street. Although the parish had no school until 194., Catholic education was offered by the Cedar Rapids Sisters of Mercy in Saint Joseph Day School, which later became Saint Berchman’s.” - Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, “Parish Profile #181: Saint Joseph Parish, Marion.” Dubuque: The Witness, 1 July 1990.
1869- History of the parish over the span of 150 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.
“Missionaries came early to this center of agriculture, manufacturing, and railroading in eastern Cerro Gordo County, and by 1864 the Catholics were organized into a parish. Father Patrick Feely, located at Waverly after Father Murphy’s death, was assisted by two laymen, Daniel J. Farrell and Thomas Egan, in building the first Catholic Church in Mason City. It was completed in 1872 and named for Saint Columban. At least by 1880 the name had changed to Saint Joseph.” - Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, “Parish Profile #97: Saint Joseph Parish, Mason City.” Dubuque: The Witness, 30 October 1988.
1901- History of the parish over the span of 118 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.
“Under the guidance of Father Louis Cornelis of Lansing, during the winter of 1867, nine men cut and hauled logs to a site three miles southwest of the present town. The church and cemetery were dedicated in June 1867, receiving the name Holy Cross. This log church served the community until 1875. In 1872 the railroad from Dubuque began regular train service to a new village in the extreme northeastern corner of Iowa. The town was named New Albin for railroader Joseph A. Rhomberg’s son, Albin. In 1875 the log church was replaced by a frame structure in the town and named for Saint Joseph.” - Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, “Parish Profile #196: Saint Joseph Parish, New Albin.” Dubuque: The Witness, 21 October 1990.
1867- History of the parish over the span of 152 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.
"Saint Joseph Parish in New Hampton was organized on April 3, 1870 and was the first Catholic parish in the town. The first settlers came in 1854. Until the church was built in 1870, the early Catholics attended Mass in homes and business places. Priests came from Saint Rose in Fayette County, North Washington and Charles City to celebrate mass and the sacraments. Mr. E. T. Runion, who was not Catholic, gave several lots for a church. The settlers themselves hauled the rock and laid the foundation, but this site was abandoned because it was too near the downtown area. The block south of the old city park was secured and a frame church was built on the corner of Hale and Broadway. Father Michael J. Flammang of Saint Donatus dedicated the church on December 16, 1870. The small congregation was cared for by the pastor of Immaculate Conception Church at North Washington." -Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, Parish Profile #227, The Witness, June 2, 1991.
1870-2002 History of the parish over the span of 132 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.