of
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| History of Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume I, 1911, pages 337-338
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. St. Mary's congregation is originally a branch from St. Matthias congregation, but the separation of this branch from the mother church was planned long before 1875 and after overcoming many difficulties at last successfully carried out. The late John Knopp, who for his integrity and sincere character was highly respected by all citizens of Muscatine, and the venerable John Nester, the pioneer blacksmith, were the principal promoters of the separation, which was considered most necessary, because St. Matthias had not even enough standing room for all the Catholics of Muscatine.
Therefore, in 1863, during Father Laurent's sojourn in France, the German Catholics purchased some lots on Iowa avenue and Sixth street for $1,000, with the intention of building a church thereon as soon as practicable. When Father Laurent returned from France this place for a new church was condemned, being too close to St. Matthias church, and for other reasons. In 1872 the lots were sold to the school board of Muscatine, who needed them for the high school. The price paid for the lots was $2,000. With this money, under the wise management of Father Laurent, four to five acres were purchased from G. Schulz, of St. Louis, Missouri, in 1875. In 1876 the building of the new church was commenced, and completed the following year.
When Father J. L. Grieser came to Muscatine in 1879 to take charge of the new congregation, there was still a debt of $1,600 on the church, which was without any requisites for Catholic services except a temporary altar. In a comparatively short time the church was so richly furnished and beautified that it was second to none in the city.
In the spring of 1879 a neat and comfortable building was erected on the south side of the church for the residence of Father Grieser, and in the following fall a substantial brick schoolhouse was built. The school was placed in charge of Sisters of St. Francis, who are widely known as experienced and competent teachers. They bought the Hawley property for $2,900 and had a convent erected on it--a beautiful brick building, which is an ornament of West Hill. Under the direction of the Franciscan Sisters the school, in which not only all the branches of English education besides the German language and higher branches are taught, especially take care of the Christian education of its pupils who come from neighboring towns as Wilton, Nichols, Riverside, Seventy-Six and even Cedar Rapids to receive their education in St. Mary's school.
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