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CHAPTER XV.CHURCHES AND RELIGION. (CONT'D)From History of Audubon Co., Iowa (1915)
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CATHOLIC CHURCHES.The Holy Trinity school has also been connected with this church, but has been temporarily discontinued. The present church membership is one hundred and seventy, or about forty-five families. The list of pastors who have served the church is Rev. Father Gaul, Rev. Father P. Daley, both from Atlantic; Rev. Father P. J. Morin, Rev. Father Bernhard Jacobmire, Rev. Father J. J. Moran, from Audubon, and the following resident pastors, Rev. Father H. J. Zaiser, May, 1894, to August 18, 1898; Rev. Father Julius Farlenschmid, August 18, 1898, to 1902; Rev. Father S. F. Wieland, 1902 to 1907; Rev. Father Charles F. Hundt, 1907 to 1911; Rev. Father James McDonald (from Audubon), 1911 to 1913; Rev. Father John Mayer, 1913 to date. ST. PATRICK'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, AT AUDUBON.In about 1881, Rev. Father Gaule came from Atlantic to look after these families and, at the first meeting, celebrated mass at the home of John Holland. Later, the meetings were held in the public school house. Father Gaule continuing his visits every four or six weeks until 1883. In the spring of 1882, under the direction of Father Gaule, a church, twenty-eight by forty-five feet in size, was erected on the brow of the hill, two blocks east of the park. Soon after its erection the church, during a severe storm, was moved from its foundation, but was replaced, with much effort and expense. In 1883 Rev. Father Daly, who was then stationed in Atlantic, began visiting Audubon, as a successor to Father Gaule, about every four weeks, and continued to do so for six years. Rev. Father P. J. Morin was the first resident pastor, coming in 1889 and serving one year. He was followed by Rev. Father Bernhard Jacobmeier, who, in 1891, built the comfortable parsonage just north of the church. He served three years and in 1894 was succeeded by Rev. Father J. J. Moran, whose pastorate lasted one year. In 1895 Rev. Father Mathew Gleason came as pastor and rendered the church six years of very acceptable service, being a very popular pastor and building up the church till it became necessary to enlarge the structure to its present size, building an addition, twenty-eight by forty feet. He was followed by Rev. Father Loftus, whose pastorate lasted till 1901. During his time the parsonage was remodeled and rebuilt to harmonize with the ability and needs of the parish. Rev. Father Flavin succeeded Father Loftus in 1901 and remained until 1904. During his pastorate, a two-story school building, thirty-two by forty-eight feet in size, was erected, east of the church, and a parochial school opened under his direction, assisted by two Sisters; this after an existence of some years, was discontinued. In 1904, the present pastor, Rev. Father James McDonald, was assigned to the parish and has done faithful and efficient service for his church during these twelve years. He is very popular with both Catholics and Protestants, his congregations being large and harmony prevailing between pastor and people. The present membership is fifty families, or more than two hundred members, many of them being families of wealth. |
