DESMOND, Rev. William Patrick - 1914

DESMOND, BARRY

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/10/2009 at 04:09:39

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

REV. WILLIAM PATRICK DESMOND.

Probably no man has done more to promote the spread of the Catholic religion in Cherokee county or to advance the cause of Christianity in this part of Iowa than Rev. William Patrick Desmond, who since 1908 has been pastor of the Immaculate Conception church in Cherokee. He was born in County Cork, Ireland, April 3, 1865, and is a son of Patrick and Mary (Barry) Desmond, also natives of County Cork, where the father engaged in farming.

Rev. William Patrick Desmond began his education in the national school at Newcestown, Ireland, and afterward attended St. Finbars Seminary at Bandon. He was ordained to the Catholic priesthood on the eve of All Hallows in Dublin in 1892 and shortly afterward came to America, where he was appointed assistant at St. Coulumbkills church, West Hill, Dubuque. He was afterward sent to Bryant, Clinton county, Iowa, as the first pastor of St. Marys church and was transferred from there to the Sacred Heart church in Alvord, Lyon county, this state. He was later pastor of St. Marys church at Doon until December 1, 1905, when he came to Cherokee as pastor of the Immaculate Conception Congregation. He has since held this position and has accomplished a great deal of earnest and consecrated work among his people. In 1907 the magnificent new church was erected and in 1908 the convent was built, the work being initiated and carried forward to successful completion by Father Desmond.

Father Desmond is a member of the Knights of Columbus and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He is widely and favorably known in Cherokee, holding the respect and confidence of people of all denominations. His warmest friends are the members of other churches, who appreciate the great effort he has put forth in a worthy cause and speak of his accomplishments in terms of the highest praise.