Blencoe - St. Bernard

BLENCOE - Iowa was admitted to the union in 1846, Monona County was first settled in 1851.

Missionary priests traveling by foot and horseback conducted services for the Catholic pioneers as early as 1858.

In rural Blencoe, Mass was offered in the Issac Davis, Thomas Duffy and M.A. Marley homes. The first Mass in town was celebrated by Father McLaughlin in 1866 at the Peter Reily home.

In 1886 a rural schoolhouse 22x33 was moved north of the present Blencoe Bank. Father Daly of Salix served there.

In 1903 a new and larger church was built and furnished at a cost of $3,000. This structure, 50x32, with a 44-foot steeple was dedicated that year on Oct. 20.

During the pastorate of Father P.P. Gearen, following the Depression years and the influx of new parishioners, mostly Czec families from Nebraska, the need for new facilities became apparent.

Following an initial bequest by Mrs. John Marley and added to by the Bassett, Bruen and Molle families and a "God's Acre" plan, the decision was made to proceed as soon as possible.

Father Gearen was transferred in early 1940 to Early to be followed by Father B.V. Greteman.

Despite war conditions of WWII, the aid of directors Mahlon Davis and Michael Marley and the generous donation of a corner lot in Blencoe by Mr. and Mrs. Neville Gray, the cornerstone was laid on June 15, 1941. They moved into the new building on Nov. 10.

The new church was again dedicated to St. Bernard, the blessing and formal dedication held Aug. 20, 1942 with Bishop Edmond Heelan officiating.

Over the years, and as finances permitted, a new altar, stained glass windows, and tile floors were added. Repairs following the Missouri River flood of 1952 were also accomplished.

A Baldwin organ, Angelus bell and complete church redecoration were added in 1957.

Aiding the pastors since 1912 were lay directors Thomas Bruen, Mahlon Davis, John Marley, Michael Marley, Charles Kelsey, Joseph Stanislav, John M. Hubert, Leo W. Marley, Milo Stanislav and Francis Tramp.