West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH

The early history of St. Joseph's parish begins with a few settlers in and around West Liberty about 1858, 1859 and 1860. These were attended at intervals by missionary priests from Dubuque during the Episcopate of Bishop Loras.

In 1860 Fr. Emonds of Iowa City advised the few to build a church which was erected in 1862 and continued to serve an ever-growing catholicity to 1891, the date at which the present structure took its place. After Fr. Emonds came Rev. P. Shannahan who attended to the spiritual needs of the people in Wilton, West Liberty, Tipton, Irish Valley, Nolen's Settlement and Nichols Station. This was during the years 1863-4 and 5.

It was only after the coming of Rev. J. J. Quigley that a residence was established at Wilton. He in turn was followed by the Rev.P. A. McCabe 1869-1875, Fr. Duggan from 1875-1892. Then the Rev. M. C. Kirkpatrick 1892-1919. He was the last priest at Wilton associated with West Liberty.

In 1919 Bishop Davis of Davenport appointed the Rev. Fr. Kissane the first pastor of West Liberty.

He in turn was succeeded by Fr. Barry 1924-1927. It was during his time that the new rectory was built. After him came Fr. Welsh who attended this place for the next ten years.

The present pastor is the Rev. O. J. Small.

The names of some of the old time families who were distinguished for courage, bravery and faith are here appended to preserve them for future history. T. Burke, J. McDonald, J. Barry, J. Foley, T. Kelly, J. McWade, M. Devlin, J. Ruess, P. Moylan, J. White, M. Sullivan, J. Gorman, D. Hayes, E. Moylan, M. Gannon, S. Slattery, M. Donohue, the Quin Family, P. Reynolds, J. Maher, H. Wolters, J. Hayes, H. Ruess, J. Milder, H. Derksen, J. Leahy, M. Creadon, P. and B. Berry, the Ostendorp Family, E. Murtagh, Fitzpatricks, P. McCarty.

The children and grandchildren of many of these families are still with us and are making the light of faith burn brightly and doing all they can to popularize the kaleidoscopic city of West Liberty in both business and social circles.

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