St. Benedict's celebrates 125 years of parish life
By STELLA EISCHEN
Globe correspondent
Posted Sept. 19, 2002

ALGONA - Throughout 2002, St. Benedict's Catholic Church family is celebrating 125 years since the arrival of Father Eberhard Gahr, OSB, the first resident pastor of the parish, in the fall of 1877.

The main event of the quasquicentennial will occur Sept. 29 when Bishop Daniel DiNardo, Sioux City, will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving and Remembrance at 12 p.m. in St. Benedict's Church. St. Benedict's pastor, Father Daniel Greving, will concelebrate the liturgy, and former pastors, former St. Benedict school teachers and parishioners, past and present, are invited to attend.

Including Father Greving, 30 priests have been pastors of St. Benedict's parish in its 125 years. Four priests, a brother of the Good Shepherd and 13 sisters have entered religious life from the parish.

Father Gahr established a Catholic School in St. Benedict in 1899 staffed by two lay teachers. In 1891, sisters from St. Francis of Assisi Convent in Milwaukee, Wis. arrived to serve at the school until 1894. In September of that year, Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Family of Dubuque began their service to the school of lay teachers.

In 1979, St. Benedict's School closed having served more than 900 students through eight grades of elementary education and through nine grades for a few years. In 1984, the school building was demolished and a parish center was built on the site,

The present church was built in 1894, and few changes have been made in the wood frame structure. Currently, Father Dan Greving, with residence in Wesley, serves St. Joseph's, Wesley, and Sacred Heart, Livermore, as well as St. Benedict. With few exceptions, Mass is celebrated at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays and at 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays of each week in St. Benedict's Church.

A history of the parish and community was published in 1977 and this year, a pictorial parish directory was issued in observance of the quasquicentennial. Souvenir candy crocks and sweatshirts are available, and the items may be ordered from Lynn Miller at (515) 295-3966 or at 2502 165 Ave., Algona, IA 50511.