Mallard - St. Mary

MALLARD - The first Catholics came to Mallard from Germany in 1870. Father Smith resided in Emmetsburg and that is where the Catholics of Mallard attended Mass when possible. In 1872, Father Smith made arrangements to say Mass in Mallard.

The first Mass was said at the Schneider home west of Mallard. Mass was also celebrated in other homes arranged by Father Smith and Father Scanlon, including the public school house northwest of Mallard, known as the "Namer School House."

A church was first built in 1888 at a cost of $3,000. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The first resident priest was Father F. X. Roesler in 1895. Fifty families made up St. Mary's. A rectory was built that same year at a cost of $1,150.

In 1901 a two-story parochial school was built at the cost of $3,500.The Sisters of St. Francis of Milwaukee opened the school with 70 students. In 1909, the Sisters did not return so the school was closed.

After Father Roesler's death in 1909, Father Mathias Stork was appointed pastor, and the church was remodeled. The sacristy and sanctuary were also added. Father H. C. Eckert became pastor in 1910 and was succeeded by Father John Neppl in 1911.

Father Neppel was able to reopen the school in 1916 when the Sisters of Mary from Cherokee resumed classes. They taught for two years and left when Father Neppl insisted on boarding boys as well as girls. In 1918, three Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration of LaCrosse, Wis., came and taught the 90 students and eight grades. Gradually high school was added up to 11th grade.

In 1921, the rectory was partially destroyed by fire. It was repaired and remodeled. In 1926, the school house was also destroyed by fire. A new building was started immediately. It was made of semifire brick at a cost of about $40,000.

In the fall of 1927, classes resumed in the new school. High school classes were discontinued in 1939. Two teachers taught all eight grades in 1946 when enrollment was 58 students. The last classes held at St. Mary's School were in 1967-68.

Father George Schumacher succeeded Father Neppel in 1940. In 1941, Father F. J. Illg was appointed pastor. He began making plans for a new church, but was transferred before his plans materialized. Father Leo Harpenau became the new pastor in 1953 and began construction of the new brick church. It was dedicated in the summer of 1954.

Father Raymond Pick (1958-1962) and Father Bernard Montag (1962-1980) followed. In 1980, Father Gerald Wingert took over and a new rectory was built.

Father Walter Bruch (1984-1991) was the first priest to reside in the new rectory. During his time, the church was remodeled and redecorated as well as carpeted. The parish hall was built in 1990.

Father Peter Fransco (1991-1999) and Father Bruce LeFebvre (1999-present) also came to St. Mary's.