“The first Catholic church in Story County was built in Nevada in 1870 under the direction of Father Delaney and that year dedicated to Saint Patrick. At some time afterwards Father Patrick Smith lived in Nevada for several months, but not as an appointed pastor. It was only in 1882 that the Nevada Catholics received their first resident pastor, Father Matthew S. Murphy. From then until 1957 pastors jointly served Nevada and Colo. The original church was moved to the present site by Father Smith.” - Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, “Parish Profile #164: Saint Patrick Parish, Nevada.” Dubuque: The Witness, 4 March 1990.
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.
1870- History of the parish over the span of 149 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.
“Newhall’s Saint Paul Parish began with Father Alfred P. Meyer’s letter to Archbishop James J. Keane asking permission to start a parish. There had been two parishes in the neighboring town of Norway. One of them began as a Czech parish, with the pastors serving the Czech Catholics in all directions. The other began as an Irish parish, which moved to Watkins when their church was destroyed by fire. By the time Father Meyer became their first resident pastor, most of the parish was German. Father Meyer chose Saint Paul as the patron of the new parish in Newhall because he thought the new parish would grow under the patronage of that great missionary Apostle.” - Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, “Parish Profile #94: Saint Paul Parish, Newhall.” Dubuque: The Witness, 9 October 1988.
ca. 1914/1915- History of the parish over the span of 105 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.
“In 1902 the Catholics were numerous enough to buy the vacant Methodist Church in Little Turkey for $500 and Fathers John Broz and Peter Kloss blessed it. Father Joseph Dostal, pastor of Spillville and brother to the two Dostal founders, celebrated the first Mass in the church on March 19, 1903. Father Godfrey Kramolis (also known as Father Bohumil Kramolis) was appointed first resident pastor in 1903 and that year officiated at the first marriage in the church.” - Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, “Parish Profile #165: Assumption of the B.V.M. Parish, Little Turkey.” Dubuque: The Witness, 11 March 1990.
1903- History of the parish over the span of 116 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.
“The mission was raised in the status of a parish in 1858, and Father Andrew Trevis was appointed the first pastor in addition to his duties as seminary president. He was soon followed by Father Patrick McCabe as the first permanent pastor. In 1870 Father Roger Ryan began a forty-two year pastorate during which the parish grew in numbers and spirit. In 1876 preparations were made for a new church, with the cornerstone laid in 1877 and the building dedicated August 15, 1878. During part of his pastorate Father Ryan served as vicar general of the diocese and present of Saint Joseph College (later renamed Loras College).” - Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, “Parish Profile #19: Saint Patrick, Dubuque.” Dubuque: The Witness, 12 April 1987.
1852- History of the parish over the span of 167 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.
“In its 110 years, Saint Wenceslaus Parish in Duncan, located in Hancock County, has only had ten pastors. Before the first church was built in 1900, the people attended Mass in Garner or were visited by traveling priests, who celebrated Mass in their homes. Father Michael Carolan, dean of Mason City, was delegated to dedicate the church in 1901. About the same time Father John B. Broz was appointed pastor of Duncan. In 1903 he was given the added charge of Garner, and he soon took up residence there, continuing to minister to both parishes.” - Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, “Parish Profile #188: Saint Wenceslaus Parish, Duncan.” Dubuque: The Witness, 26 August 1990.
ca. 1900- After tornado 1952- History of the parish over the span of 119 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.
“Saint Donatus Parish is the only parish in the United States named for this heavenly protector against storms. Soon after the Iowa Territory was opened to settlement in 1833, pioneers from Luxembourg in Europe took up residence on the fertile hills and valleys about ten miles south of Dubuque in the area of the stream named Tetes des Morts (Heads of Death) as a result of a war between Indians in the area. About 1851 a pastor changed the name of the gruesome title to a saint quite popular in the Luxembourger’s homeland. They would like to have named the parish and church for their country’s patron, Our Lady, Consoler of the Afflicted, but Bishop Loras is supposed to have pointed out that there were already several churches named for the Blessed Mother.” - Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, “Parish Profile #11: Saint Donatus Parish, Saint Donatus,” Dubuque: The Witness, 15 February 1987.
Primarily English and possibly Luxembourgish, French, or German.
1857- History of the parish over the span of 162 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.
“In 1882 Father Francis Boeding began a pastorate of 46 years. He saw to the spiritual formation of his parish and also served the people of Cresco, Fort Atkinson, Ossian, and Hawkeye in his early years. He was instrumental in making the area entirely Catholic, and only German was spoken in homes, church, and school. The buildings of the parish were improved, added to, and replaced. A new gothic style church was built in 1914, with 4 Bavarian stained glass windows. Three bells occupy the east tower.” - Rev. Edgar Kurt, “Parish Profile #48: Saint Luke, St. Lucas,” Dubuque: The Witness, 8 November 1987.
1855- History of the parish over the span of 164 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.
“The first Catholic settlers of the Sherrill community came from Germany and Luxembourg in the 1840s to find land providing timber and rock for building and wood for fuel, as well as productive soil. They were visited by Bishop Loras and priests from Dubuque, Rickardsville, Holy Cross, and New Vienna for the celebration of Mass and the sacraments in the homes of John Behr, John Christmas, John Hirsch, and Mathias Michels. As they were ten oxcart miles from the Dubuque cathedral, thirty-two of these faithful Catholics met on March 28, 1852, to form a parish and build a log church dedicated to Saint William. The total cost was $96.93. Bernard Clauss and Adam Haberkorn were the leaders in organizing the parish. Frank Stillmunkes and Nicholas Fries prepared the logs and shingles for the church, which was raised by the efforts of the whole community.” - Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, “Parish Profile #20: Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Sherrill,” Dubuque: The Witness, 19 April 1987.
English and translated document with Latin and German.
“Jackson County settlers some miles south of Bellevue in the 1860s did business in either Slabton, where there was a sawmill, or Old Springbrook, or “new” Springbrook. The Methodists worshipped in Liberty School, the Baptists in Old Springbrook, but the Catholics gathered in homes when a missionary visited them. Sometimes his coming was announced with a cannon shot. When the Catholic population reached about 40 families in 1864, they organized a parish, which was later named for Saints Peter and Paul.” - Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, “Parish Profile #49: Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Springbrook,” Dubuque: The Witness, 15 November 1987.
1864- History of the parish over the span of 155 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.
“The Parish of Saint Isidore was canonically resurrected on March 22, 1961, the Feast of Saint Isidore the Farmer. At Father Engler’s suggestion the new parish was dedicated to God in honor of Saint Isidore, the Patron of Farmers. Isidore and his wife Maria are honored as saints of the church, and they are the patrons of farmers and of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. On Sunday, May 21, that year the first Mass on the parish property was celebrated by Father Engler. Until a facility could be built, two Masses were celebrated every Sunday in a house located on parish property north of the highway. Later it served as a rectory, and still later sold.” - Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, “Parish Profile #175: Saint Isidore Parish, Springville,” Dubuque: The Witness, 20 May 1990.
1960- History of the parish over the span of 59 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.