Estherville - St. Patrick

ESTHERVILLE - It is believed that the first priest who served the Catholic people of Estherville was Father Aylward. In 1857, he was in charge of the territory of Northwest Iowa, and was assisted by Father John Smith. In 1881, Father Norton began to work in the Estherville area, with Father Luke Carroll taking over duties in 1887.

In 1890, Father Carroll built the first Catholic church in Estherville. While there were about 25 active Catholic families living in Estherville at the time, five families gave Father Carroll principal assistance in the erection of the church building. The heads of these five families each had been named after St. Patrick: Patrick Howe, Patrick Sullivan, Patrick Riley, Patrick Bagan, and Patrick Murray. Because of this coincidence, and also because of the great personal devotion of Father Carroll to the Irish saint, it was decided to name the Catholic parish of Estherville, St. Patrick's.

Father John Kelly, a young priest from Dublin, Ireland came to Estherville as the first resident pastor in 1891. Under Father Kelly's direction, the first rectory was built. In 1898, Father Michael Daly took over St. Patrick's operations.

In 1901 Father Michael Daly was succeeded by his brother, Father John Daly, who remained until 1907. It was during his tenure that the construction of the red brick church on 9th Street was begun. The church was completed and dedicated on Oct. 13, 1907, and a new pastor, Father Joseph Murtagh headed St. Patrick's.

Father Murtagh served until 1920, and Father Herman Schleier was assigned to St. Patrick's. Only a few months later, Father Clarence Conway became the pastor (1920-1927).

Father William Viet was next (1927-1930), followed by Father L. J. Savage (1930-1938).

During Father Savage's tenure, the first religious vocation school in the parish was formed and the red brick rectory on South 9th St. was built.

Father John J. Keane (1938-1949) was a leader in both spiritual and community affairs. Through his efforts, the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother of Milwaukee, Wis., came to Estherville and took over operation of Holy Family Hospital. They arrived in March of 1944. The Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother continued to own and operate the Holy Family Hospital until June of 1996 when it was sold to the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Aberdeen, S. D.

Father J. H. Duhigg (1949-1975) also worked at St. Patrick's. During this time there were a few assistant pastors: Father Gerald Zensen, Father Patrick Nooney and Father Gerald Fisch.

In 1951, St. Patrick's School was opened with 120 students enrolled. A convent was also constructed for the Sisters in 1962.

In 1962, a new St. Patrick's Church and Rectory were built after a successful fund drive. Due to staff shortages, the school was closed down in 1971. Religious education classes took the place of the school.

In 1975, when Msgr. Duhigg retired, the school and social center were renamed the "Duhigg Center" and Father Albert Grendler (1975-1986) took over duties. Father Thomas Topf (1986-1993) became pastor next.

In 1991, Estherville celebrated 100 years of Catholic presence in the town. There was a reception and Bishop Lawrence D. Soens, presided at the centennial Liturgy.

Also, during Father Topf's stay in Estherville, the Duhigg Center expanded the kitchen greatly. Father Thomas Nash (1993-1999) began to work in the parish after Father Topf.

Some of the interesting things that happened at St. Patrick's in the 1990's include: a trip to World Youth Day 1993 in Denver and a trip to Guatemala in 1995 to visit with the Jesus Walks With Us Parish.