West Bend - Sts. Peter and Paul

WEST BEND - Several families settled on the banks of the west fork of the Des Moines River in 1856 four miles west of the present town of West Bend. The year of 1865 brought the end of the Civil War and more settlers moved into the area. Catholic settlers in the area were numerous enough to gather for the first Mass.

It was celebrated in 1877 by Father Theodore Wegmann in either the home of Phillip Dorweiler or in the Michael Bonnstetter home.

The West Bend congregation remained only a mission for a long time under the direction of the bishop of the Diocese of Dubuque. Father D. F. McCaffery of Algona was among the priests who served the people.

The first Catholic church was built in 1888 under the supervision of Father J. B. Zigrang of St. Joseph of Bode. Later Father Nichols of Algona came to offer Mass. In 1892, the new parish was attended by Father Anthony Erdman from St. Benedict, who was followed by Father C. B. Lechtenberg for St. Joseph of Bode. At this time, the church was moved and enlarged in the north part of town.

In 1897, Father Edward O'Reilly became the first resident pastor for one year. Father P. A. Tierney of Whittemore attended the parish and Father Paul M. Dobberstein arrived on Oct. 14, 1898.

In 1899, St. Cecelia's Church in Ottosen was built and Father Dobberstein traveled there for mass. It closed in 1936 and the parishioners joined the West Bend parish. In the spring, just one year after Father Dobberstein arrived in West Bend, the parish of 40 families voted to build a school. The Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration from LaCrosse were the teachers.

In 1902, the Diocese of Sioux City was formed and West Bend became a part of it. In 1906, under Father Dobberstein's direction, a beautiful park was laid out with construction of the Grotto of the Redemption beginning in 1912.

The school needed additional space in 1920 and the old frame church was dismantled and the lumber used to enlarge the school. This was the beginning step to building a new brick church. Early in 1921 the cornerstone was laid. In 1922, the new church was formally blessed and dedicated.

In 1927, Father Dobberstein built the Christmas Chapel in Sts. Peter and Paul Church in to which he placed some of the finest mineral specimens which he thought were too delicate to be used in the out-of-doors grottos. Additionally, Father Dobberstein's brother, Bernard, painted the Ascension mural on the ceiling in the sanctuary in 1929.

In 1946, Father Louis H. Greving was appointed assistant pastor. He worked closely with Father Dobberstein for eight years. Father Dobberstein died in 1954, after 56 years of being pastor at SS. Peter and Paul. Msgr. Francis Schultes was appointed pastor and Father Walter Bruch as assistant for one year while Father Greving was pastor at Pomeroy.

In 1956, Father Greving returned as pastor in 1987. He has had many assistants during this 31-year period.

Construction of the new rectory was in 1959, and the new school and convent were built in 1961. Faceted stained glass windows were installed in the church in 1964. Carpeting of the church took place in 1972.

Father Merle Kollasch became the fourth pastor in 90 years in 1987, at which time the inside of the church was repainted and new furniture was bought. Father Thomas Topf was pastor in 1993 for one year. Also serving West Bend was Father Jim McCormick and Father Bruce LeFebvre.

Father LeFebvre has been cluster pastor of St. Mary's in Mallard and Sts. Peter and Paul since 1999.

Also, Sts. Peter and Paul Church was designated twice as a Marian Year pilgrimage church and most recently as a Jubilee Year 2000 Pilgrimage site.

From the parish there have been three priests, one deacon and 15 young women who became sisters.

Today, St. Peter and Paul School accommodates students from kindergarten through the eighth grade. The centennial parish history states: "Our school continues the Christian training and growth of the child that is begun in the home. These young people will be future leaders who will apostolically spread the Kingdom of Christ. Our school is truly important to Christ and his Church. It is important for everyone, not only in time, but for all eternity."