Ledyard - Sacred Heart

LEDYARD - The first Mass to be offered in Ledyard was by Father F. Carroll, pastor of Armstrong, in 1896, for a few dozen Catholics in the Underkofler home. Father Carroll's practice of commuting by train once a month continued as pastors of Armstrong would travel to Gerled on Saturday afternoon and return to their home in Armstrong by train after services on Sunday.

In 1905, Father Simon P. Roth secured a piece of property on the south edge of town and purchased a wooden church from Estherville. The church was dedicated to the Sacred Heart.

In 1921, Father Joseph Schultes owned a "Hupmobile" and was able to visit the Ledyard Parish every Sunday as well as Holy Days of Obligation. He made the trip despite "21 miles of dirt roads, often bogged down in mud and mire of the swamps between the two towns, or blocked by snow drifts in winter months."

Tragedy struck in 1924 when the church burned to the ground. Until a new church could be constructed, church services were held in the fourth grade classroom at the Ledyard Public School. That same year, work was begun on a basement, which served as a church until the upper structure was built in 1930. The total cost for the foundation was $7,083.

In late 1925, Father A. J. Arndorfer was appointed the first resident pastor. Father Arndorfer rented living quarters from various lay people in the community. By 1927, a new rectory was completed at a cost of $8,000.

Under the direction of Father P. M. Strum, land for a parish cemetery was purchased in September of 1929.

With almost 200 parishioners, constructing a new church was of vital importance to the parish. The cornerstone was laid on March 30, 1930 by Father Murtagh. In the cornerstone was placed a copper box, which contained a short parish history, some German coins and a local newspaper. The total cost of the structure as $12,880.

During the Great Depression, agriculture continued to sustain the small parish. In the lots south of the rectory, Father Sturm raised pigs. Area farmers donated pigs and elevator managers gave feed to keep the "Pig Club" growing. Money from the sale of hogs supported the church.

In 1938, Father Edward Maynard was appointed pastor. Parish membership doubled under Father Maynard's tenure as pastor, finally peaking at 388 parishioners.

New stained glass windows were added to Sacred Heart Church in 1958. The interior was also redecorated.

The church saw change again as Father Robert Thiele established a building fund for a church addition in 1966. This new addition was finished at a cost of $25,000. The church basement was also renovated. A new marble altar was purchased and donated by A. C. Schissel, a former member of Sacred Heart.

In 1969, John, Susan, and Herman Mousel left 320 acres to Sacred Heart and Briar Cliff College, who share the land.

Sacred Heart Parish was clustered with St. Mary's, Armstrong, in 1992. Both parishes were served by Father Allan Reicks.

Sacred Heart and St. John's of Bancroft were clustered in 1995 and continue at present. Father Paul Bormann is the present pastor.