Churches of Maquoketa(1871)

GAFFNEY, COOK, CROMACK, TILLEY

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 12/4/2007 at 23:08:01

Jackson Sentinel
January 19, 1871

The churches of a town are in many cases, a fair index of the liberality and public spirit animating its citizens. Of those of our city, in the aggregate, but little may be said. They are all neat, but not particularly elegant. The minds and purses have been so strongly drawn toward railroad interests for the past few years, that not as much attention as they deserved, perhaps, has been given to church matters. Our church buildings are fully as good as towns generally, of like size, but from the enterprize existing here, people visiting the place expect to find them better, perhaps, than other towns have. Of the denominations which have houses of worship here, there are the Congregational, with Rev. Mr, Cook as pastor; the Methodist, Rev. Mr. Cromack, pastor; and the Baptist, with Rev, Mr. Tilley, as pastor. The Universalist Society hold services in a hall here, with the prospect of having a church edifice soon. Each of the denominations referred to have successfully conducted Sabbath schools.

Jackson Sentinel
January 12, 1871

Father Gaffney of Otter Creek township, celebrated Mass in Taubman's Hall last Sabbath, in presence of quite a large congregation. One week from next Sabbath similar services will be held in the same hall. The prospect of building a church edifice for that denomination in this city is certainly very flattering. Before his departure Father Gaffney succeeded in purchasing three lots whereon to erect the church, from John E. Goodenow, who very generously donated a fourth. Our citizens should liberally second Father Gaffney in his efforts, and make the proposed edifice an ornament to this city.