Graettinger - Immaculate Conception

GRAETTINGER - In 1891, Father John Kelly became the resident pastor of St. Patrick's in Estherville and established Immaculate Conception Parish in Graettinger as a mission parish. A frame church was built in 1892, serving 40 families. A rectory was built in 1898, at which time Father Kelly became the first resident pastor. Father Kelly served the parish until his death in 1941.

Father Denis Hurley (1941-1951), Father E. S. Maynard (1951-1959), Father Albert Conlon (1959-1960), Father Clement Flannery (1960-1962) and Father Vincent Beacom (1962-1984) all served Immaculate Conception Parish over the years.

During Father Beacom's tenure, a Parish Center was built in 1966 and a rectory was built in 1968.

Father Clair Boes (1984-1985) replaced Father Beacom and soon the parish was erecting a new church, which had the capacity to seat 300 people. The new church was joined to the parish center and featured a large gathering area and eucharistic chapel. Bishop Soens dedicated the church on Nov. 29, 1987.

The next year, Father Paul Kelly (1985-1993) was appointed pastor. When the Lutheran Church was destroyed by fire in 1988, Father Kelly offered the use of Immaculate Conception Church to them, which they shared until their church was erected in 1990.

Msgr. Thomas Donahoe (1993-present) is the current pastor.

Immaculate Conception has had two native sons ordained to the priesthood. Father Edward Sullivan was ordained in Los Angeles in 1944 and returned to his home parish to celebrate this first Mass. Father Clement Currans was ordained in 1974 by Bishop Greteman in Immaculate Conception Church.

Six women from the Immaculate Conception Parish have become nuns: Agnes O'Connor, Margaret O'Connor, Mary Dinan, Frances Hendricks, Elizabeth Mahan and Lois Spear.

Organizations within the parish include the Altar and Rosary Society and the Catholic Daughters of America Court. Standing committees include finance, liturgy and environment. The parish has a strong religious program for grades 1-12 and is staffed by volunteer men and women of the parish.

The parish celebrated its centennial in 1991 with a concelebrated Mass by Bishop Soens, Father Kelly and several former priests of the parish. Following the Liturgy, a picnic meal was served on the church grounds. Father Kelly and his musical group, "The Dixie Daddies," furnished an afternoon of entertainment.