Schaller - St. Joseph

SCHALLER - In 1883, the town of Schaller in Sac County was incorporated. At this time, about 15 Catholic families, mostly of German and Irish heritage, resided in the town or surrounding farms. They attended Mass in various homes, which was offered by Father Timothy Meagher who came on horseback or by horse and buggy.

In 1884, Sacred Heart of Early was assigned a pastor, Father William Halpin, who also served at Schaller as a mission. Under his direction, the first wood frame church was built at Schaller. The land was purchased in 1887 and the church was built between 1888 and 1892. The building was 24-foot by 48-foot and cost $1,800.

From 1881 to 1891, priests served Early and its missions for only a few months at a time, so at times Catholics went to Storm Lake and Odebolt for Mass. Father Costello was assigned to Early in 1891 and also served Schaller as a mission. Prior to Father Costello's arrival, Schaller was served by Father D. H. Murphy, Father J. J. Murphy, Father J. Horon and Father N. J. Quirk. Father Costello served from 1891-1903.

The Catholic population at Schaller continued to grow with the result of a resident pastor in 1903, Father Francis Wrenn. A rectory was built in 1904 and Father William Shanahan (1905-1909) and Father Francis McNeill (1909-1916) also came to Schaller.

A new brick church was erected in 1913. The cost was $20,000. The cornerstone contains a summary of current local and world conditions in 1913, along with copies of The Schaller Herald, The Sioux City Journal, and the Catholic Messenger, plus a few coins. The tower bell is inscribed with "St. Joseph Church, Schaller, Iowa; Rev. Francis McNeill, pastor; November 1913."

Priests who have served at St. Joseph Church include: Father J. J. Dalhoff (1916-1920), Father Joseph Neppl (1920-1923), Father A. H. Ocken (1923), Father John O'Leary (1923-1931), Father J. J. Berger (1931-1932), Father John Howley (1932-1941), Father S. A. Grady (1941-1950) and Father W. P. Hyland (1950-1961).

Also serving Schaller were: Father E. D. Hoffman (1961-1967), Father Leonard Zeigman (1967-1969), Father Donald Ries (1969-1971), Father Jerome Degen (1971-1972), Father Roger Augustine (1972-1978), Father Thomas Holland (1978-1979), Father Gerald Wingert (1979-1980), Father Wm. B. Devine (1980-1984), Father Lloyd White (1984-1987), Father Gerald Zeman (1987-1988), Father Bruce Lawler (1988-1991), Father Thomas Nash (1991-1993), Father Bernard Sheehan O.S.B. (1993-1996), Father Eugene Ulses (1996-1997), Father Mark Stoll (1997), Father Francis Higgins (1997-1999), Father James Lafferty (1999-2000) and Father Thomas Topf (2000-2001).

Currently, St. Joseph of Schaller is clustered with Sacred Heart of Early with Father Patrick O'Kane serving as pastor of both parishes.