John McCormick Bio

Rev. John McCormick

Biography of Rev. John McCormick taken from Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co. 1894. Page 375.

REV. JOHN MCCORMICK

Rev. John McCormick, Rector of the Church of the Sacred Heart at Monticello, is a man of 
superior education and attainments, highly respected and esteemed, not only by his own 
congregation, but by all who enjoy the pleasure of his acquaintance. Though not of American 
birth, he is loyal to the institutions of our country, and is a progressive, liberal-spirited 
citizen, favoring all measures tending toward the advancement of the people. Since coming to 
Monticello he has labored with devotion and unwearied fidelity in the interests of the cause 
at this place, and his efforts have been rewarded, for the congregation has increased 
numerically, and its spiritual growth has also been quite gratifying.

The subject of this sketch is a young man, having been born in 1860. In Ireland, the land of 
his birth, he grew to manhood, meantime carrying on his studies in the parochial schools, and 
afterward entered Mt. Milleran Seminary, where he remained a short time. His education was 
completed at Carlow College. Thus well equipped for a successful career in whatever profession 
he might enter, he decided to give his life to the holy order of the priesthood. There was 
need of Workers in the growing towns in the western and middle states of our country, so, in 
1883, he crossed the ocean, and on arriving in America, made his way directly to Dubuque, 
Iowa, where he was placed in charge of St. Raphael's Church. For two years he labored in that 
capacity, and afterward for a few years he held the pastorate of the church at Britt, Hancock 
County, Iowa, at the same time having charge of adjoining missions. His next location was in 
Harper's Ferry, Allamakee County, where he preached to large congregations.

In December of 1886 Father McCormick was appointed pastor of the Church of the Sacred Heart 
at Monticello, where he now has a congregation consisting of forty families. The church is 
in a flourishing condition, and its harmonious working proves the skillful oversight of the 
pastor. He also has charge of the church at Sand Springs, Delaware County, in which are to be 
found representatives of several different nationalities, but, notwithstanding this fact, they 
all work harmoniously together. Ever uppermost in his heart is the welfare and progress of the 
work in which he is engaged. Since accepting this position he has made many improvements in 
the church, which indicates a praiseworthy spirit among the people and earnest effort on the 
part of the Rector.

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