Danbury - St. Mary

St. Mary's Parish in Danbury was started in 1898 when a local group of German Catholics purchased land and moved a vacant church to its present location on Peach Street. Father Weinhold of the Mapleton Church came to Danbury every Sunday to say Mass.

In 1899, a grade school (1-8) was built and staffed by the Sister of the Benedictine Order from Atchison, Kan. In 1912, the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque replaced them.

In Dec. of 1903, Father A. J. Schaefer arrived to be the resident priest of Danbury. He supervised the building of the rectory, still used, in 1905. Three years later, he oversaw the erection of the present church. The new brick structure cost approximately $25,000.

Parishioners, as well as Father Schaefer, did much volunteer work hauling bricks, lumber and other needed materials from the railroad cars and the local lumber yard. Many donated cash for the stained glass windows, $100 a window.

The cornerstone was laid June 12, 1909. Bishop Garrigan was the presiding diocesan official. Two sermons were given, one in English and one in German. Both languages continued to be used until World War I when it was deemed wise to drop the use of German in the school and church.

Father Schaefer remained pastor until January, 1917. He was followed by Father H. J. Schleyer (1917-1929) and FatherE.J. Jungblut (1929-1937). In 1937, Father A. J. Arndofer was appointed pastor and held that position until he died of a sudden illness in 1943. Father Anthony A. Bausch (1947-1950) succeeded him.

In 1949, Bishop Joseph Mueller felt it prudent to combine St. Mary's and St. Patrick's churches in Danbury. Father Sylvester Grady was appointed to St. Mary's in 1950 and Father Francis McNeill, the pastor of St. Patrick's retired. Father McNeill's assistant, Father Karl Hansen, remained in Danbury to aid Father Grady with the merger.

With the zealous cooperation of the priests and generous spirit of Christian charity manifested by the good people of both parishes, the unification became a reality. The two Catholic schools became one in 1951; the grade school became St. Mary's and the high school became Danbury Catholic. The Sisters of St. Francis of Mt. St. Clare, Clinton, staffed the schools, along with the assistant priests.

Father Richard Sweeney was assigned to St. Mary's Church in 1954, replacing Father Grady. During 1960 the exterior of the church was renovated at a cost of $15,000.

It was decided in 1963 to build a new grade school and parish hall on the same site as the three-story, wooden school of St. Mary's. The cost of building and furnishing the four new classrooms, library, gymnasium and cafeteria was $352,000. The new grade school opened its doors in the fall of 1965 with 170 students in grades I -8. Sixty-five pupils were enrolled at DCHS in the acader4y.

Father Edward Hoffmann came to, Danbury in 1967. July of 1968 saw the closing of Danbury Catholic High School, due to small enrollment and the high per pupil cost of education. The grade school became Danbury Catholic.

Father Robert Thiele arrived in 1973. With dedication and great cooperation from all, the school building debt was cleared in 1976. A celebration consisting of a Mass of Thanksgiving and the burning of the mortgage, plus a parish potluck supper and dance was held. Also during Father Thiele's time the interior of the church was completely redecorated

Father James Tigges was assigned to St. Mary's in 1987. The school gym was entirely renovated and the interior of the school was redecorated. Improvemeents, such as the repair of stained glass windows, were made to the church. In 1992 Kindergarten was added to Danburv Catholic School,

Father David Hogan arrived as pastor of St. Mary's in 1995. During his pastorate, the school was tuckpointed and waterproofed, and a Parish Endowment Fund was set up.

Under the Ministry 2000 plan of the Diocese, St. Mary's Parish was clustered with St. Mary's in Mapleton, St. Joseph's in Anthon, and St. Mary's in Oto in 1995. Various activities and programs are shared with these parishes throughout the year.