The Catholic Church in Maloy IA

SHAY, DALE, LAMBER, MCKEEVER, FEELEY, WILLIAMS, SHERIDAN, COWELL, CONDON, OCONNOR, SHEIL, MULLINS, HIGGINS, GEIGER, HOWE, WARIN, KRAMER, CULHANE, GRIFFIN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/26/2010 at 04:05:00

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH in MALOY
Benton Township, Ringgold County, Iowa

Since the early arrival of Irish immigrants in Ringgold County, the Catholic Church experienced a strong presence in the Maloy vicinity. The first Catholic services were held in 1864 in the home of Luke SHAY, an immigrant from County Laois, Ireland.

Three years later, the SHAY family moved a mile west to the John DALE farm. DALE had held a contract with the stage company and maintained a headquaters for the company on his farm. SHAY took over the contract and operated the stage's barn on the farm.

The Catholic congregation continued to hold services in the SHAY home. When the congregation grew too large for accommodations in the SHAY home, the missionary priest moved services to the SHAY barn. Mass was also said from time to time after 1879 in the William LAMBERT home.

Because some parishioners traveled great distances, it was customary that a meal was provided for everyone after services. This arrangement worked out well except for a few occasions when the priest gave services at the LAMBERT home and the meal was being prepared at the SHAY home, or vice versa.

Services for the congregation was conducted at various times by missionary priests from either Ottumwa or Georgetown. After 1872, the Benedictine Fathers conducted services.

Father Placidus McKEEVER, a Benedictine Father, directed the construction of the first Catholic Church in the vicinity in 1874-75. This house of worship was located at St. Mary's Cemetery east of Maloy.

From 1883 to 1887, Diocesan priests from Dubuque were stationed at Mount Ayr and said Mass at St. Mary's. These priests were Fathers FEELEY, WILLIAMS, and B. J. SHERIDAN.

The town of Maloy was platted in 1887. Consequently the church was moved into town, a endeavor which was accomplished by Elias COWELL and his mules.

In 1903, Father J. J. CONDON supervised the construction of a larger church complete with stained glass windows and a 60-foot spire. At the time there were 50 families belonging to the parish, which included many of the pioneer Catholic families - SHAYS, LAMBERTS, O'CONNORS, SHEILS, MULLINS, HIGGINSES, GEIGERS, HOWES, and WARINS. The original St. Mary's church was moved to the rear of the churchyard, serving as the parish's hall.

The new church served the people of Maloy quite well. Here the townspeople and others in the vicinity enjoyed Thanksgiving dinners and bi-weekly dances. At the time, motion pictures were taboo on Sunday throughout Ringgold County. Consequently, Mr. KRAMER brought his projector and cans of film to Maloy each Sunday to the enjoyment of those living for miles around the church.

On June 17, 1931 [1932 by some accounts], a fire swept through Maloy. Both St. Mary's and the new church were destroyed along with five businesses, a house, and a barn. Almost immediately, Father M. J. CULHANE, an Irish immigrant and the parish's priest, organized the construction of a brick church building and rectory. During the construction of a new church, the parish accepted the offer of the Christian congregation to share their church building.

The new church [Immaculate Conception Church] was constructed in English Rural Architectural style with a steeply pitched roof suppored by heavy beams of steel which were encased in wood. The ceiling was constructed of accoustical tile; the floor of inlaid tile. The Gothic style altar and communion rail was constructed by the Daporte Studio of Chicago, a gift from the late Margaret GRIFFIN, a long-time Maloy resident.

Final Mass at Immaculate Conception Church was held on May 3rd, 2009. Then the church was closed and sold.

Pictured:
1st Catholic Church, Maloy, 1903
St. Mary's Church to the rear, far left

SOURCES:
Maloy Centennial Book, Pp. 22-23
Information supplied by Father CULHANE, 1956

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2010

The Catholic Churches of Maloy IA
 

Ringgold Documents maintained by Tony Mercer.
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