Ayrshire - Sacred Heart

AYRSHIRE - Earliest Catholic settlers in the Sacred Heart Parish Ayrshire area came from Prussia, and homesteaded in 1870.

The early Catholics had to depend on the services of the priest from Emmetsburg. In the summer of 1889, Father Timothy Sullivan was appointed pastor of Gilmore City with several communities along the M & St. L. railroad as mission parishes. Ayrshire was the northernmost parish. He offered the first Mass in Ayrshire in the fall of 1889 in the home of Patrick and Mary Flannigan. Their home was located directly across from the present day lumberyard.

Ground for the church and school was purchased on Oct. 18, 1889 and the church was built in 1890. Father Sullivan was spiritual leader of the Catholics at Ayrshire until January, 1894. On Jan. 9, 1894, Calvary cemetery land was bought. A rectory was built in 1899.

Over the years, the parish purchased land for future needs.

Sacred Heart Parish of Ayrshire was incorporated under the title of Sacred Heart Catholic Church on March 4, 1912. Bishop P.J. Garrigan was the first president. Msgr. James T. Saunders, as Vicar general of the diocese was the first vice-president. Father Luke Carroll, the first resident pastor, was the first treasurer. John T. Maguire and K.J. McElroy were the first lay directors.

The first Baptism recorded by Father L.J. Carroll was that of Claire Bowen, born Dec. 23, 1893 of Patrick Bowen and Lizzie Anglum Bowen. She was baptized on Feb. 7, 1894. Thomas Conlon and Carrie Waddron were the first couple to be married at Ayrshire on Feb. 17, 1896.

Building of a convent and school were started in 1920, however deflated values of farm commodities caused suspension in building operations. School work was resumed in September, 1922.

The school was finished and ready for opening in the fall of 1924. It was served by the Franciscan Sisters of The Holy Family from Manitowoc, Wis.

The school was started with the intention of having a high school, but the 9th and 10th grades were discontinued with the end of the 1949-50 school year. It started as a boarding school, but this was discontinued in 1929. The grade school continued until the fall of 1968.

Following Father Sullivan and Father Carroll other priests to serve as early pastors included Fathers Patrick T. Lynch, 1916-1922; Edward J. Smith, 1922-1926; Edward A. Dunn, 1926-1931; William F. Mason 1931-1936 and Patrick Leo McCov, 1936-1945.

After Father McCoy went to the service, Father William P. Hyland was pastor until July 26, 1950. Father Lawrence F. Schoepner remained at Ayrshire until 1953. In the fall of 1953, Father Thomas M. Parle, came to Ayrshire to spend seven years. On, June 17, 1960 Father George J. Benjamin came and remained eight years. In July of 1968 Ayrshire was blessed with Father Patrick J. Nooney. Father Nooney left Ayrshire on Feb. 29, 1972. On the same day the present pastor Father E. Everette Apt, arrived in Ayrshire.

Priests who have served us since 1977 include: Fathers Al Loeffelholz, Henry Weimer, Gerald Zemam, Al Reicks, Don Slaven, Ben Jensen, and currently Verne Stapenhorst.

The parish has nurtured many vocations to the priesthood, religious life and one deacon.

Since the school has closed, the building is used as a meeting hall for both community and parish activities as well as for CCD classes.

Father A.J. Loeffelholz became our pastor in 1979, and under his guidance the new Sacred Heart Church in Ayrshire was built. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on October 12, 1980, and it was dedicated on July 12, 1981 with most Rev. Frank H, Greteman as celebrant. The new church has 6000 sq. ft., divided into three main areas, the church , dining hall and classrooms at a total cost of $298,000. The stained glass windows from the old church were used in our new facility. A bell tower, which houses the bell from the old church, was constructed in 1982.

In June of 1986, a statue of the Sacred Heart was erected and dedicated to Father Apt in his memory. Because the new rectory for the Ruthven Ayrshire parishes was constructed in Ruthven, the rectory in Ayrshire was no longer needed. Tom Cordon purchased the cast lots with the rectory, renovating it into their home.

Children from the parish who do not attend Emmetsburg Catholic receive their religious education either at Ruthven or Emmetsburg.

In 1988, Sacred Heart Church of Ayrshire celebrated its centennial. Father Weimer was pastor at the time and encouraged us to make a history book, which was then published that same year. Former parishioners from throughout the United States came back for the special occasion - Mass and special activities.