The Beginning

1843-1852

1849-1851

Rev G.H. Plathe

(Conducted services every three months)

1848-1849 Neutral Ground opened up for settlement. Frank & Mary Huber donated 20 acres to the diocese for the Church which is the present site of the “Smallest Church”. A statue of Sorrowful Mary marks the center of the original church.

1843

Rev. Joseph Cretin

“Old Mission Church: Our Lady of the Wilderness” renamed by Fr. Cretin because of the hardships endured in establishing the mission parish. The Catholic Almanac of 1846 lists the parish- Winnebago Mission, Our Blessed Lady of the Seven Dolors.

Fr. Joseph Cretin (Who later became the first bishop of St. Paul)

1833 St. Raphael’s in Dubuque founded and in 1847 it became the Cathedral

1846 Iowa became the 29th State

1863 Homestead Act brought many settlers to the “Neutral Ground”

1852

Rev. M. Remsen

Regular monthly services began.



1851

Rev. M. Lentner