St. Michael (Belle Plaine, Iowa)

St. Michael (Belle Plaine, Iowa)

"The advent of the Chicago Northwestern Railroad with its shops attracted some to Belle Plaine, and the fertile farm land brought others to the area. As more Catholics arrived, Sunday Mass outgrew private homes and the public school was used until the first church was built in 1885. Father Michael A. Meagher, pastor of Tama, directed the building of a frame, Gothic style church at the corner of 6th Avenue and 7th Street, with Patrick McPhee and Joseph McPherson as contractors. Later the building was moved to 910 8th Avenue and is now used by the Faith Baptist Congregation."

- Kurt, Rev. Msgr. Edgar, Parish Profile #169, The Witness, April 8. 1990.

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

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

Various primary and secondary sources.

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

1885-
History of the parish over the span of 133 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.

Centennial documents (3 documents)
Parish history (5 documents)
Correspondence (2 documents)
Financial documents (2 documents)

Olson, Donna Lee. "Being the first nun proves a challenge: 100-year-old parish gives her a warm welcome and lots to do." Cedar Rapids Gazette, 20 December, 1986.

Unknown author. "Inventory of house furniture belonging to church." Hand-written list. n.d.