ST. MARY’S CEMETERY OF NICHOLS AND LONE TREE

In 1853 the Bishop of Dubuque appointed Rev. Mathias Hannon, an Irish born priest, to assist the Rev. J.P. McCornick at St. Mary’s in Iowa City. Father Hannon conducted missions in more than 25 adjoining localities around Iowa City, including Nichols, then known as Nichols Station. Father Hannon served until 1855 and was succeeded at St. Mary’s Iowa City, by Father Michels and Father William Emends.

During the early 1870’s a growing number of predominantly Dutch, German and Irish Catholics in the Nichols community began a serious effort to build a church. On 17 Sept 1874, a building committee was appointed; James Ryan, John Brugman, Arnold Hiebing, Stephen Brugman, Patrick Barry and Timothy Sullivan. Their efforts were greatly assisted by a provision in the will of the deceased Samuel Nichols that his estate would furnish half the brick to the first church built in town. Along with the subscription of other members of the church and their friends, they erected the old St. Mary’s Church. The first resident pastor was Rev. William Purcell, coming to Nichols Station in March of 1877.

St. Mary’s Cemetery was established in the early days of the church. From 1877 to 1905, both St. Mary’s of Nichols and St. Mary’s of Lone Tree were served by the same pastor and a burial site was selected between the two towns. The land in Section 8 of Pike Township, on which the cemetery stands, was originally owned by Samuel Nichols.

For additional information on cemetery records, one may contact the Church of St. Mary Parish Administrative Office at 201 Short Street, Nichols, IA 52764