Clare - St. Matthew

CLARE - The roots of St. Matthew's Church in Clare go back to the early days in Jackson Township, Webster County. Mass was said in the cabins of the early settlers who, with a few exceptions, immigrated from Ireland and lived along the banks of the Lizard Creek.

Father Matthew Norton, for whom the church was named, was the first resident priest of the Lizard Settlement, but was also assigned to Clare when there was a population increase due to the railroad.

Father Norton died before a church could be built, and a young Irish priest, Father Matthew Darcy, arrived to take his place. Father Darcy remained as pastor of St. Matthew's for 42 years.

During Father Darcy's service, two churches were built. The first was a wooden structure built in 1887. It was destroyed by fire in 1905. The replacement church is still standing and was built in 1905. A rectory was built in 1888. In addition, St. Matthew's School was constructed under his supervision and staffed by the Presentation Sisters of Dubuque.

The school was built in 1892 at a total cost of $2,500. The structure would provide a school, Sisters' quarters and a chapel. Two additions were added, one in 1894, and the second in 1922. The high school was a viable part of the parish until it closed in 1961. Students then continued their education at St. Edmond High School in Fort Dodge. In 1965, a one-story "L" shaped building was constructed to house a convent and grades 1-8. The total cost was $143,000 and both were operated until 1989.

Father E. L. McEvoy assisted Father Darcy and stayed until 1928. Father Thomas Parle (1928-1935) was responsible for building the hall under the church and putting together the first parish history, "The Blue Book."

Father John McGuire (1935-1955) and Father John Cullen (1955-1985) both served St. Matthew's over the years.

In July of 1985, St. Matthew's clustered with St. Joseph, Barnum. Father Michael Larkin (1985-1986) served both parishes. Father Richard Kielbasa (1986-1991), Father LeRoy Seuntjens (1991-1994) and Father Dale Reiff (1994-2000) succeeded Father Cullen.

In July of 2000, St. Matthew's became part of a "team ministry," consisting of five parishes which include St. Joseph, Barnum; Corpus Christi, Sacred Heart and Holy Rosary all of Fort Dodge. There are four priests assigned to this team: Father Ed Girres, Father Lynn Bruch, Father Christian Van Oosbree and Father Larry Burns, who resides at St. Matthew's. No priest is called pastor of any one parish, as they share pastoral leadership.

There have been seven young men from the parish to become priests or brothers, among those are Father Charles Yetmar and Father Bruce Lawler. There have been 18 women from the parish to become sisters.