St Mary's Church

The First Catholic church in Lone Tree was built under the supervision of Father Emmons of Iowa City, in the year 1874. About the time the church was completed Father Purcell of Nichols was appointed to this parish and thus Lone Tree became an out-mission of Nichols.

 In 1880 Father Robert Nolan succeeded Father Purcell and he did a great deal for the parish from that time until his death which occurred in 1901.

The parishes of Nichols and Lone Tree were then placed in charge of Father Michael Nolan. He was here only a little more than a year when a change was made and Lone Tree became an out-mission of Hills, Father Kottenstette being appointed pastor in 1902. Under his supervision and care the congregation became so large it was necessary to have a new church.

The question of building a new church was first agitated early in 1913. On the first Sunday in July of that year the parish voted to build as soon as possible. Father Kottenstette was requested to visit the people of the parish to see what could be done in the way of funds. The subscription taken that fall amounted to $6,180.

The plans for the new church were drawn by Arthur Ebeling of Davenport and were approved by the building committee December 3, 1913. The contract was subjected to bids on March 21, 1914 and was awarded to Mr. W. W. Wolery for $8,133.

The work was started at once, the old building being removed from its foundation March 24. The excavation was begun a few days later. On April 4 the footings were placed for the foundation and the concrete work completed six days later. Contractor Wolery commenced his work on May 24th, making it possible to lay the corner stone of the new building May 31st.

From then the work progressed and the first mass was said in the new church by Father Kottenstette on the first Sunday in January, 1915.

In 1919 St. Mary's church was discontinued as a mission church and on November 1 of that year Rev. F. A. kottenstette moved from Hills to Lone Tree to be the first resident pastor.

The following people were members of the local church when the church was first built in Lone Tree:  Rogers Harty, father of the late Michael Harty; Dennis Carey, Tim Sullivan, Thomas Halligan, john Ronan, Michael Daly and John Purcell. John W. Jayne donated the lot where the first Catholic church in Lone Tree was built.

Source: Excerpts from the Oxford Leader, Johnson County Historical Edition, Oxford, IA, Oct 14, 1926; pg. 54