NCIGS to tour former St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Complex in Dougherty

The North Central Iowa Genealogical Society will hold their monthly meeting, Saturday, April 13, at 1:30 p.m. This meeting is free and open to the public.
This month’s meeting will feature a tour of the former St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Complex, located at 420 E. Patrick St., Dougherty.The complex is located a short distance east of downtown Dougherty on B65; also known as E. Patrick Street. There will be someone to greet you at the south double doors. After entering the double doors you will be able to hang up your coat and gather in the hallway for our tour.
The St. Patrick’s Catholic Church complex includes the 124-year-old church, the cemetery, the rectory, the former parochial school and other buildings. The local non-profit organization S.T.P.A.T.S. acquired the property when the church was closed by the Archdiocese of Dubuque in July 2012. The site is currently used as a community center, for weddings and other festivities and as a museum to display photos, town information and artifacts. Nuns from the Blessed Sacrament Convent will offer information on the history of the facility, the town of Dougherty and the local area as well as a tour of the complex. Refreshments will be served with a donation basket provided.
Why was it called “St. Patrick’s Church?” The best reason is the first pioneers, Daniel Dougherty and his wife, came from Ireland. They named their church after the patron saint of the Emerald Isle. It was in 1856 when Daniel and Mary entered their land claim. As the years passed, other Irish settled in the area and as this small community grew, the need for a church and a priest increased. From 1863 to 1868 the newly-formed parish was attended by priests from 46 miles distant in Waverly. The first church building was built in 1870. That structure was destroyed by fire in 1895. That same year a new church building was under construction and that same building stands today. Through the years this tiny village and church survived many hardships, enjoyed countless blessings and continued to hold fast a friendship . . . a sense of family.
Please mark your calendars, so you won’t miss this compelling experience.