Thanks to Mary Lou Hoey Bruess from Monroe WI, my friend and Turkey Valley 1962 classmate, for sending me a clipping from the Dubuque Dicocese newspaper (The Witness). Mary Lou is the niece of Florence Goss who was postmistress in Lawler for many years. This article was written by Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt in March 1989 as one of many profiles of churches in the diocese. It shows me the importance of preserving memories in writing. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share this important bit of Lawler history with visitors to this site almost a quarter of a century later. Finally, I welcome an ‘update’ from 1989-present if someone is willing to research and submit it to me. Thanks. (Bill Sheridan)
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Profile
The extension of the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad from Calmar made the town of Lawler spring into existence. The Irish workmen came to build the rail line but joined the settlers to form a lasting Catholic parish.
The Chickasaw County town was named for John Lawler, a Catholic, who was overseer for the railroad construction.
Both pioneers and construction worker, mostly Irish, received pastoral care from visiting priests. One of them was Father Henry McCallow, who celebrated the first mass in 1868 in the home of Peter O’Byrne. The Conrad Kuennen home was also used for Mass. Father McCallow is mentioned in no other parish history.
Those early settlers continued to be attended from Saint Rose Parish near Waucoma. The priest was probably Father P. F. Harrison, whose mother is buried in Saint Rose Cemetery near Waucoma.
Father Patrick F. Farrelly was appointed to Saint Rose Parish in 1872 and also served the Catholics at Lawler. After directing the building of a church at Lawler in 1876 or 1877, he became their first resident pastor in 1877. It was a frame building costing them $5,500. The next year he left the two parishes.
Father Richard A. Byrne was then assigned to Lawler, and stayed until 1885. While he served as pastor, the parish built a rectory.
Father Byrne directed the building of a two-story frame school in 1882, a long building with only one room on each floor. The Sisters of the Presentation from Dubuque staffed the school, two Sisters in each room. They were Sister Mary Vincent Donnelly, Sister Mary Baptista Hussey, Sister Mary de Sales Weibel, and Sister Mary Cecelia Malloy. When school opened on September 15, 1882, about 70 pupils were enrolled. Seats that were made for two held three, and it was quite common to find someone sitting on the floor.
After Father John Hawe came from Waukon, he enlarged the frame church in the form of a cross in 1890. Some years later it was faced with brick. The school became both grade and high school in 1892, graduating its first class in 1897. About that time Father Hawe went on to Decorah.
Father Peter H. Garraghan served from about 1904, when Father Garraghan left, until 1910. That year Father Patrick Ryan came from Ryan and Father Leahy took his place there.
Soon after Father Thomas F. O’Brien came in 1918, the school was discontinued because of crowded conditions. A fire that destroyed the upper story in 1919 prompted the parish to restore the second floor and add a third story.
Father O’Brien left in 1922 to serve as chaplain of Mount Carmel Convent in Dubuque.
Father John J. Clune, the next pastor, saw to the building of a brick rectory in 1922. In 1928 he went on to Lamont.
Father John O’Donnell came in 1929 to serve until his death on April 30, 1946. However, the last year of his life was spent in the hospital in New Hampton. Father James F. Delay was administrator of the parish during that time and became pastor after Father O’Donnell’s death.
During Father Delay’s 24 years, the parish saw many changes. In December 1963 fire destroyed the school and its contents. The parish purchased the public school, which had been vacant since the previous May (due to construction of Turkey Valley High in Jackson Junction). Parishioners cleaned and repaired the building, and school resumed on January 6, 1964. When the school was closed a few years later, the Presentation Sisters had served the parish and school for over 80 years.
Frank Eichoff, a retired hardware dealer, died in December 1962, leaving a half million dollars to the parish for a new church to be started within two years. The dedication was April 30, 1967. Father John W. Moran came to Lawler in 1969 as Father Delay moved on to Clear Lake. During his 10 years, Father Moran directed the growth of religious education program replacing the previous school instruction. In 1974 he directed the parish dismantling of the old church and renovation of parish property.
Father Peter Bodensteiner came to the Lawler parish almost 10 years ago, in 1979. He serves 915 parish members in 235 households. He is assisted by two directors of religious education, Leslie and Dolores Cuvelier, each directing six grades. The program serves 223 students.
The parish is participating in the RENEW program.
Mount Carmel parish has had many vocations. Over 55 women entered religious communities and 12 men were ordained in the priesthood.
Hi,
Just happened on this article. Rev John O’Donnell( died 1946) was my grand uncle. He was ordained in Thurles seminary (Ireland) in 1898 for what was known as the “American Mission.” This meant that, as a poor kid, his fees were paid by an American bishop. He had a younger brother, Rev Edmund O Donnell (died 1953), who also ministered in Iowa. Two of his three sisters became nuns. The third, my late grand mother, also wanted to join an order but was persuaded not too. A narrow escape for me!! I have photo of him taken in front of his Church and also post card pictures of what I presume is Mount Carmel Church which are dated 1929 (if interested)
Regards,
Tom Power
23 Shorewood
Ballinakill Downs
Waterford Ireland
i am trying to find info on great granparents who attended tbis church.
patrick martin died in 1902 buried in mt carmel cemetery. my great grandmother
elizabeth odonnell martin died8/2)/1908. buried in mt carmel cemetery.
a phone number and/OR EMAIL WOULD BE APPRECIATED.