History of St Patrick's Catholic Church, Melrose, IA - 1914

HARRISON, CADDEN, OREILLY, BROWNRIGG, MCCORMICK, RIORDAN, CARBIN, GARRITY, WARD, HANNAM, CARMODY, MULHALT, SULLIVAN, OCONNOR, KNOWLES, BARRY, STONE, THYNNE, MAHONEY, MULLIN, MCGRATH, LYNCH, MCDONALD

Posted By: DJ Scieszinski
Date: 5/10/2022 at 13:59:47

The Catholic Messenger
April 9, 1914

WHERE CATHOLICITY FLOURISHES IN MONROE COUNTY, IOWA

BRIEF ACCOUNTS OF SEVERAL PROGRESSIVE CHURCH COMMUNITIES

St. Patrick's, Melrose

In 1870 that part of Georgetown parish which was located close to Melrose had grown to such numbers that the people decided that they should have a parish of their own and to this end they petitioned the Bishop and finally getting his consent built a church.

Father Harrison of Georgetown was the first priest to say Mass for the new St. Patrick parish at Melrose. He attended to their needs for but a short time, when Rev John Cadden was appointed pastor in 1871. Father O'Reilly succeeded Father Cadden.

During Father O'Reilly's time the congregation had grown to such an extent that a larger church was necessary. The old church was consequently sold and a new one erected, the cornerstone of which was laid in June of 1893. The dimensions of the new building which was a frame structure were 40 x 97. In the fall or late winter the church was completed and dedicated.

The congregation continued to grow and prosper, and Father O'Reilly remained as pastor to the time of his death on the 15th of October, 1901.

Rev. T. F. Brownrigg succeeded Father O'Reilly as pastor of St. Patrick's, and in 1902, owing to the fast growth of the parish, had to enlarge the church. Father Brownrigg also built a new parochial residence, moved the old residence back and after remodeling it the Sisters made it their home. Shortly after this new pews were put in the church and statuary and other inside furnishings to the amount of about four thousand dollars were donated by liberal spirited and ever generous members of St. Patrick church. A library was established and a literary society organized about this time.

Father Brownrigg was transferred to Burlington in 1909 and Rev. W. J. McCormick came from Burlington to Melrose since that time has installed a new heating plant for the church and residence, also an acetylene lighting plant, furnishing light for the church and residence and cement sidewalks have been put all around the church property.

St Patrick's parish of Melrose is one of the best in the Davenport diocese and is growing steadily. The present church is even now conceded by many to be too small and it is a fond hope that in the near future the frame building will give way to the erection of a splendid brick building which will be large enough to last for many years to come.

The Melrose Council of the Knights of Columbus is in a flourishing condition, having at the present time a membership of over one hundred.

Among the many who in the early struggles of St. Patrick's of Melrose unstintingly lent their time and means for the promotion of the congregation are found in the names of Stephen Riordan, Patrick Carbin, John Garrity, Jas. Ward, Richard D. Hannam, Jno. Carmody, Edw. Mulhalt, M. D. Sullivan, Jas. O'Connor, Patrick Knowles, John Barry, Jas Stone, J. C. O'Connor, Patrick Thynne, Michael Mahoney, Jerry Mullin, Wm. McGrath, Patrick Lynch, Michael McDonald, and many others, who were active and at all times alive to the interests of r=the church as well as of Melrose and her people.

Melrose is fifteen miles west of Albia on the main line of the C. B. & Q. railway. It is a prosperous little town and does a thriving business.