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HISTORY
OF
ST.
JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH - WINTERSET
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![](church_images/st_josephs_3.jpg)
St.
Joseph's Catholic Church (Built 2008/9)
Photo
courtesy of Google Maps
Father
James Brazill, a “circuit rider” priest, and others served the
early Catholic pioneers from 1843 to 1877. During this time masses
were said in the homes and in leased buildings around Winterset.
The
need for burials arose and ground was given by a Mr. Applegate in
1884 for a burial ground for the Catholics and became a part of
Stringtown Cemetery in Douglas Township. The cemetery is about seven
miles northwest of Winterset. Other cemeteries which served the
Catholic community included the Winterset Cemetery (also known as
Rock City Cemetery), St. Patrick’s Cemetery, and Mt. Calvary
Cemetery west of Churchville.
In
1878 the first brick church was built on land east of our present
church at a cost of $1,500. It was not until 1892 that St.
Joseph’s parish was established which included an area of
proximately seven-eighths of Madison County. The early pioneers were
served by “circuit rider” priests until the appointment of a
priest to this parish.
The
first resident priest of St. Joseph’s, Father H.J. Albers, came in
1903. He was followed by Father Patrick Feeley who remained until
1909.
During
the pastorate of Father James A. Troy from 1909-1912, the present
brick church with a red tile roof was constructed in 1911 at a cost
of $8,000.00. The bell was a gift from Mary Monaghan and her brother
John. Beautiful stained glass windows, nine large ones and four
small ones, were made in Munich, Germany, and installed at St.
Joseph’s. These were given as gifts by several of the parishioners
and they portray gospel stories. The cornerstone contains a bronze
box filled with items of interest of that time in history.
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![](church_images/st_josephs_1.jpg)
St.
Joseph's Church (Built in 1878)
Photo
Courtesy of 1915 Madison County History
St.
Joseph's Church (Built in 1911)
Photo
Courtesy of Kent Transier
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In
the early days of St. Joseph’s and Altar and Rosary Society was
formed. This group has a long and continuous record of dedicated
service to the needs of the church.
Under
the leadership of Monsignor John W. Higgins, the Third Order of
St. Francis was established in 1962. The
Third Order consists of religious and lay men and women who try to
emulate St. Francis's spirit by performing works of teaching,
charity, and social service.
In
September, 2008, ground was broken on North 8th Street, near
Highway Bypass 169, for a new church complex. The new church was
dedicated on August 23, 2009.
Church
leadership between 1912 and 1984 is shown below.
St.
Joseph's Catholic Church Leadership (1912-1984
Fr.
W.J. Churchill |
1912-14 |
Fr.
John J. Judge |
1944-55 |
Fr.
John White |
1914-20 |
Msgr.
John W. Higgins |
1955-72 |
Fr.
Luke Plunkess |
1920-30 |
Fr.
John F. Hart |
1972-74 |
Fr.
Denis Mongan |
1930 (3 mo) |
Msgr.
W.J. McMahon |
1975-76 |
Fr.
Arthur Fitzpatrick |
1930-32 |
Fr.
John E. Cunningham |
1976-80 |
Fr.
Peter McStay |
1932-34 |
Fr.
Albert Wilwerding |
1980-81 |
Fr.
William Hashessy |
1934-41 |
Msgr.
Paul Connelly |
1981-82 |
Fr.
Cletus Portel |
1941-42 |
Fr.
Maurice Schulte |
1982- |
Fr.
Joseph Shaw |
1942-44 |
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Source
1: History of Madison County, Iowa, 1846–1984, compiled
by the Madison County |
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Genealogical
Society, Taylor Publishing Co., Dallas, Texas |
Source
2: First Services, Winterset Madisonian,
Winterset, Iowa, August 26, 2009, Page 9A |
Source
3: The Winterset News, Anniversary
Edition, October 13, 1938, Page 22 |
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Maintained by
the County Coordinator
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This
page was created on March 10, 2023.
This page was last updated Sunday, 28-May-2023 13:40:03 CDT
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