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Office: 712 273-5577 • Rectory: 712 273-5482 • Email:
Website: sacredheartearly.org |
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Extended HistoryEXITHistory from: The Golden Jubilee history book dated 1934 |
History of Sacred Heart ParishA Maze of names, dates and achievements slowly shifts about the fifty years existence of Sacred Heart Parish and gradually resolves itself into historical sequence for your perusal. A fifty years' existence which exemplifies the indomitable courage of the pioneer parishioners; a fifty years existence which journeyed hand in hand with virtue and perseverance; a fifty years' existance which gives to the living parish a bulwark of defense for the future.The First ChurchDuring the six or seven years prior to the erection of the first church Mass was said occasionally for the few Catholic families in the vicinity of Early by Father Slattery of Fort Dodge, Father Fredrich of Mount Carmel, and Father Gafney of Storm Lake. This necessitated the arrangement of temporary altars in private homes or in the old Early schoolhouse located just south of the railroad on the main highway. The homes of John McCormick and George Drey were among those blessed by the Divine Presence during those eary days. In 1883 Joseph Drey (uncle of the present Peter J. Drey) and his wife Catherine, donated the five acres of land upon which the parish buildings now stand. In the fall of the same year the first frame church was built in anticipation of establishing a parish and having a parish priest. The plans of one staunch supporter were shortlived, however, because before the year closed, Catherine Drey died and was laid to rest in the cemetery she had donated. Her's was the first grave. The First Pastor
Father Halpin's work was by no means confined to his parish in Early, but extended over a large territory including Sac City, Schaller, Holstein, Correctionville, Kingsley and Moville. The Baptismal Records of these missions disclose the names of about eighty persons who received the Sacrament of Regeneration during the four years of his pastorate, a splendid indication of his zeal for souls. For the two years following Father D. H. Murphy, J.J. Murphy, J. Horan and M.J. Quirk each for a few months' duration, served the parish. After this the Early congregation found itself without a resident priest for nearly two years, and the parishioners were compelled to seek spiritual aid and advice from the Storm Lake and Odebolt pastors. Return to top The First SchoolIn December 1891 Father P. M. Costello was appointed pastor of the parish with the adjoining missions of Sac City and Schaller. The year following his arrival, through the generosity of Mary Determan (grandmother of Henry Determan), the parish constructed the first parochial school, a one-room frame building similar to our rural schoolhouses. The site, still referred to as the "University Grounds" is located southwest of the present church property. For some fifteen years Catholic education was carried on under the direction of the following Catholic lay teachers: Anna Pape, Elizabeth Soat, Miss Rauch, Josephine Adams, John Calahan, Stephen Reiff, Frank Schleier, Teresa Tibben, Anna Koenig, and Julia Bruning. Thus, the faith so dear to these sturdy pioneers was preserved in the education of their children. This work was discontinued about the year 1906. The old school, since removed to the Carl Sippel property, is a reminder of the early educational endeavors of the parish.The New Church Gradually the congregation grew and flourished making it necessary to provide a larger building of Divine Worship. Therefore, in 1899, under the direction of Father Costello, the present brick church was erected. It was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on July thirtieth of 1899. Today this substantial building stands as an edifying memorial to the efforts and sacrifices of those who made it possible. It was during this period that the congregation was blessed with the coming of such families as F. E. Smith, Louis Yender, Jacob Brinkman, W. P. Gard, Henry Puetz, John Reiff and John Dahm, staunch and constant supporters of the parish and its ideals.
The New Parochial School In the fall of 1913 Father M. J. Hetherington was appointed pastor. During his pastorate the new school was built at a cost of $14,000. He secured the teaching services of the Sisters of Mercy from Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania in September 1914, and a few weeks later the school, offering a twelve-year course, was opened for enrollment. The faculty for that first year were Sister mary Cecelia, Superior, Sister Mary Gabriel, Sister Mary Xavier, Sister Mary Adelaide, and Sister Mary Eusebius.
As a result of the apportioning of provinces following the amalgamation of the Sisters of Mercy in the United States in 1929, Iowa territory came under the control of the Cincinnati Province. Therefore, in 1931, the Wilkesbarre Sisters were withdrawn and Sisters from the Cincinnati Province took over the duties of the school. Each year efforts have been made to promote efficiency in all scholastic undertakings and each year's results have justified the efforts made by the promoters of the new parochial school project. Just in the year 1933 the curriculum was decidedly broadened by the addition of a commercial course. To the Order and to the many individual Sisters of Mercy who for twenty years have so loyally and faithfully performed the duty of educating the youth of the parish, the parishioners owe a debt of gratitude.
His outstanding theological education combined with his cooperative social endeavors endeared him to the hearts not only of his parishioners but of the community at large. It was through his continued efforts that the cemetery was made a site of peaceful beauty. Father Joseph Wolf was pastor from 1924 to 1926. It was during these two years that the church was redecorated as it appeared in 1934; a new communion, railing greatly improved the appearance of the sanctuary; and a steel burglarproof tabernacle replaced the former wooden one. Much credit is due Father Wolf for reducing the parish debt from $5,000 to $1,000 in so short a time. Return to top The New Rectory
The location of the cemetery is on the north edge of the church property. The parishioners like the convenience, for it is here where the remains of their dear ones, many of them pioneers of this parish, are interred awaiting the day of Resurrection. Looking to the future the Catholic people of this community should have no fears. We confidently expect the rising generation to follow in the footsteps of their forefathers. Emulating their example they will make the necessary sacrifices as the occasion demands so that they and the succeeding generations may continue to enjoy the blessings and ministrations of the Catholic Faith which has been handed down through the nineteen centuries of the Christian era. Faculty of Sacred Heart School 1933-1934
Left to right: Sr. M. Justine, Sr. M. Antonia, Sr. M. Robert, Sr. M. Constance (Sup.), Sr. Johanna Marie.
Return to top Parishioners of Sacred Heart parish, 1934
Return to top Parish SocietiesConfraternity of Christian MothersThis society was canonically erected in this parish many years ago, and consequently its members enjoy all the spiritual benefits it offers. All married ladies of the parish are elgible for membership. The officers for the year 1934 are: Mrs. Lena Sanders, president, and Mrs. Blaine Hamm, secretary-treasurer. Holy Name Society The Holy Name Society was reestablished in the fall of 1927 according to the form prescribed by the church. All married and single men of the parish are eligible. Its general purpose is to make its members fearless in the profession of their faith, regular in the reception of the sacraments, and steadfast in resisting all forms of unbecoming speech. Its communion Sunday, the second Sunday of the month, is well observed by its members. Catholic Ladies Guild This society sponsors various social activities, and thus, aids the parish financially. The officers for 1934 are: Mrs. Elmer Rosenhauer, president; Mrs. James Keefe, vice president; Mrs. Francis Gard, secretary-treasurer. High School Choir The members of the High School Shoir, under the directorship of Sister Mary Antonia, are:
Return to top Religious VocationBy 1934, eleven members of Sacred Heart Parish have dedicatedtheir lives to the special service of God. 
To the Priesthood Rev. Benedick Determan, T. O. R. A Franciscan of the Third Order Regular Ordained 1925 Rome, Italy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
To the SisterhoodReligious Sisters of MercySister Helen Marie (Mary Eckerman) Entered 1916 Sister Mary Mark (Catherine Sippel) Entered 1923 Sister Mary Maurice (Otillia Hunstock) Entered 1923 Sister Mary Jeanette (Barbara Puetz) Entered 1925 Sister Mary Naomi (Leone Peutz) Entered 1925 Sister Mary Alvina (Alvina Schulte) Entered 1933 Servants of Mary (Omaha, Nebr.) Sister Mary Raparata (Anna Haas) Entered 1913 Sister Mary Antonia (Ida Cawiezel) Entered 1913 Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Family (Dubuque, Iowa.) Sister Mary Edna (Nora Determan) Entered 1920 Franciscan Sisters of the Perpetual Adoration (Lacrosse, Wis.) Sister Mary Regine (Angeline Lang) Entered 1932 Return to top Sacred Heart Roman Catholic ChurchEarly, IowaLike all the parishes of the diocese, Sacred heart Parish is incorporated under the above title according to the laws of the State of Iowa. The parish administers its temporal affairs as a corporation. Its present officers are: Most Rev. Edmond Heelan, D. D., President Rt. Rev. T. M. Coghlan, V. G., Vice President Rev. J. J. Dalhoff Matt Reiff, Secretary W. T. Roche, Treasurer Data and Statistics of Interest - 1934The Membership of Sacred Heart Parish totals 108 families; 525 souls.In the Baptismal book a total of 947 baptisms have been recorded during the past 50 years. Of this number, 727 were in Early, the remaining 220 in the Missions formerly attached to Early. The first baptism recorded is that of Eva Feltes baptized Dec. 7, 1884. She is now Mrs. Geo. Schmitt. Marriage Record (for past 30 years only) shows 80 marriages. The first marriage in the old church after the coming of Father Halpin was that of William Kelley and Hannah Drey on Feb. 10, 1995. In 1934 Mrs. Hannah Kelley was still a member of this parish. The Burial Record contains 179 burials in the parish cemetery. There are 25 families in the parish in which either husband or wife is a convert to the church. There are but 3 families in the parish in which there is a division of faith (mixed marriage). Golden Jubilee CommitteesThe following members were chosen to act on the various committees and have generously given of their time and talent to make this 1934 Jubilee Observance a success: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rev. W. J. Halpin
Rev. J. Anler
First Church 1883, Brick Church 1899, First Parish House 1885, Father Anler
Rev. J. T. Finnegan
Rev. J. J. Dalhoff
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