The Congregational Church of Stacyville was organized in the school house on January 18 1857 by Rev. William L. Coleman, with the following members: James H. Beebe, Lucy Ann Beebe, Eben N. Beebe, Esther Fulton, Homer J. Stacy, Amelia L. Stacy, James P. Emery, Martha G. Emery, Edward P. Rands, Jane C. Rands, Annie M. Campbell, William L. Coleman, Temperance L. Coleman, Elizabeth A. Little, Benjamin Helms, Mary P. Helms, Charles Fitch, Elizabeth Fitch, Charles H. Forbes, Elvira A. Forbes, John Parlin Daniel Hills and J. Hills. In 1883 the society comprised 90 members.
A Methodist Church had a similar number to the Congregational Church. A site of about 40 acres adjoining the village plat was donated by the proprieters and supported by $4000 from the citizens of Stacyville for building an academy.
The early Catholic settlers, which included Nicholas Hemann, Adam Blake and his son Philip came from McHenry, Illinois in May, 1855. They were without a church and priest for four years. In the year, 1858, Reverend Michael Flamang visited the scattered settlers. He was succeeded by Reverend H. Felderman.
Adam Blake, who religious zeal prompted him, gave his humble home for Divine services. After four years the Catholic families continued to increase so the Blake home was no longer able to house the worshipers. The public schoolhouse, two and one-half miles north of Stacyville then became the house of worship. This was used until John Theobald bought forty acres of land from Mathew Heimer one-half mile north of Stacyville. The log house on this farm was arranged for church purposes. Reverend James Gilchrist and J.T. Sanders, two of Iowa's pioneer priests, visited the congregation at Stacyville nearly every month.
The following is from the 1956 Stacyville Centennial Booklet. The History Committee acknowledged permission granted by the Christian Mothers and A.C.C.W. to use the history, prepared and written by them, for their book entitled "Household Guide."
The progressive parish of Saint Mary's Visitation was organized a century ago when the beautiful valley of the Little Cedar attracted the attention of those in search of homes. By 1873, the Catholic families numbered 27. There was a need for a church building. John Theobald, Nick Pitzen, Michael Halback, Peter J. Thomas and Peter Bissen were chosen as the building committee. John Brost was delegated to call on Right Reverend Bishop J.J. Hennessey. Permission was granted to build a church, but the bishop was unable to send a priest.
In 1874, the first church 30X46 was erected on the parish grounds. The church was dedicated by Reverend J. T. Saunders and put under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Visitation. The cemetery was blessed in 1974 by Saunders. A church bell was donated in 1876 by Nicholas Hemann and Mrs. Christina Blake.
On the eleventh day of October, 1878, the Visitation parish received its first resident priest the Reverend Joseph Hellregel, who remained until October, 1883. Due to the increased membership a twenty foot addition was added to the west end of the church. Father boarded and roomed with Math Durben, a school teacher, in the second story of the parochial building which was erected in 1877.
Father J.C. Nache served from 1883 until 1887, during this time the first parsonage was built. He was suceeded by Father John Anler who stayed until 1889. During this time Father Anler promoted the coming of two Sisters of the order of St. Francis of Assissi, Dubuque, Iowa, to help the pastor with the education of the youth. Father Albers came in 1889. He put a second addition of two-story wings 24X43 feet, at the cost of $4000, to the church. The second floor was used for school purposes.
The next pastor was Father Peshong, during his pastorate, he remodeled the parsonage. The parsonage was later destroyed by fire on May 4, 1898. Without delay, a more handsome residence was built at a cost of nearly $3,000. The church was furnished with three beautiful altars.
In 1899, under the supervision of Father Naebers, a beautiful Gothic style brick church was built, 118X62 with three front entrances. The tower has a base of 18 square feet and rises to 140 feet. The cornerstone was laid April 26, 1905, by the very Reverend McGrath, who preached the sermon in English and Reverend C. Juneman of Alta Vista preached in German. On November 8th the church was dedicated bby Right Reverend Monsignor George W. Heer of Dubuque, with 12 priests present. Subscriptions for the building amounted to $32,000.
When Father Schleuter took over in 1910, parish had increased to 160 families. With the co-operation of the parish, he erected the large school building at the cost of $44,000. Work was started October 4, 1922, and completed November, 1923. It was blessed in November by the Reverend Archbishop J.J. Keane. The school has 8 grades and 4 years of high school, including music. The faculty has increased to 12 and enrollment of pupils to 290. In 1924, a beautiful Sister's home was erected.
Soon after the death of Father Schleuter, Father Herber was appointed apster serving until 1931. The Reverend H.N. Manternach received his appointment as pastor of the church in 1931. During his time, the interior of the church was redecorated. Soon after Father Manternach left in 1948, Father Hintgen. He was the promoter of the building of the gymnasium, 110X68 foot structure at a cost of $80,000. In 1954 Father Hintgen was sent to Belgium to teach. At the time of the 1956 centennial, the pastor was Reverend Joseph W. Buhr, assisted by John Hussman.
Visitation Catholic Church: Stacyville, IA - Cemetery at Stacyville, IA
St. Johns's Catholic Church: Johnsburg, MN - Cemetery at Johnsburg, MN
Sacred Heart Catholic Church: Meyer, & McIntire, IA - Cemetery at Meyer, IA
Celebrated 100 Years - July 8, 2000!
Sacred Heart Catholic Church: Osage, IA
St. Ansgar Catholic Church, St. Ansgar, IA
St. Peter's Cahtolic Church, New Haven, IA
Wapsie Catholic Cemetery: Wapsie, IA - Cemetery at Wapsie, IA
First Lutheran Chruch, St. Ansgar, IA
Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar, IA
Methodist Church, Little Cedar, IA
Union Presbyterian Church (Union Twp.)-
No longer active, church building is historic landmark, cemetery remains
The church is usually open to the public over Memorial Day weekend.
Stacyville Congregational Church -no longer in existence
The Young Men's Christian Association of the Congregational Church of Stacyville was formed in October, 1876. J. R. Beebe, A.W. Penney and F. B. Stacy were appointed to draw up a constitution for the association, which being submitted, was approved by the society in February, 1877. The charter members were as follows: J.R. Beebe, F.B. Stacy, Mr.. Von Toble, Edward I. Angel. C.L. Gilbert, W.L. Angel, George Wall, H. Decker, W.M. Rands, E. Penney, J.H. Penney, Albert W. Gilles, A.W. Penney, F.F. White, W.H. Markle and Charles B. Smith.
Associated with Visitation Catholic Church, we find a church choir organized by Mathias Durben (1878), Christian Mothers (1889), Men's St. Joseph Society (1893), Young Ladies Sodality and St. Mary's Court No. 944, Catholic Order of Foresters (1899) and St. Aloysius Young Men's Sodality (1902)
1855-1878 Parish Served by Itinerant or Area Priests: Reverend Michael Flamang [from Old Winneshiek County] Reverend H. Felderman Reverend James Gilchrist [New Haven] J.T. Saunders [New Haven] 1878-1883 First Resident Priest: Reverend Joseph Hellregel 1883-1887 Father J.C. Nache 1887-1889 Father John Anler 1889-1894 Father Albers 1894-1899 Father Pershong 1899-1910 Father Naebers 1910-1928 Father Schleuter 1928-1931 Father Herber 1931-1948 Father H.N. Manternach First Assistant Priest (1942) Father Franz Lohberg 1948-1954 Father Hintgen 1954+ Reverend Joseph W. Bohr Assistant Pastor Reverend John Hussman
--Remaining Names to be added--