Moorland - Our Lady of Good Counsel

MOORLAND - Our Lady of Good Counsel in Moorland was established in 1892 as a mission to Barnum. The Moorland parish's first recorded baptism, listed in Barnum's registry, was James Joseph Lougran on Christmas Day, 1893. Prior to the establishment of the parish, the Catholics of Moorland attended Corpus Christi Church in Fort Dodge and Father Thomas M. Lenihan ministered to their spiritual needs. He later became Bishop of Cheyenne, Wyo.

The first burial listed in Moorland Catholic Cemetery, which predates the parish, was Mrs. Anthony Halligan, age 33, April 15, 1889.

In September of 1894, the first church building of OLGC was dedicated under the administration of Father Michael Quirk who was the pastor of Barnum. The original church in 1894 was a white frame building.

The parish received its first resident pastor, Father William Shanahan, on Dec. 1, 1902. At that time, Our Lady of Good Council had a membership of about 35 families. The first baptism recorded in the Moorland registry was Ellen Gertrude Halligan who was baptized on Nov. 30, 1902.

Through the years, the following priests have served as pastor at the Moorland parish: Father M. Hogan, Father D.J. Heelan (who was older brother to Bishop Heelan), Father Edward Fowler, Father Michael Carey, Father M.A. Schemel, Father Edgar Schleyer, Father J.J. Sullivan, Father Bernard Hunt, Father Edward Carpenter, Father Ralph Obermire, Father Robert Thiele, Father Jerome Degen, Father Cletus Besch, Father Richard Kielbasa, Father Ed Murray, Father Clem Currans, Father Michael Larkin, Father Eugene Ceperly and Father Tim Boekelman.

When it came time to build a new church, even though times were tough the people pledged $15,000 the first day. The ground was broken in March of 1918 for the present brick structure. The cornerstone was laid on March 19, 1918. The contract was awarded to W.J. Zitteral Co., Webster City, Iowa, at a cost of $23,700.

Shortly after the completion of the new church, OLGC welcomed a young pastor who would lead the parish for many years. Father Bernard Hunt served there for 32 years. Known for his learning, the priest possessed one of the finest private libraries in the diocese.

Father E.V. Carpenter came to OLGC on March 8, 1952 after the death of Father Hunt. He made improvements to the rectory, reorganized the parish boundaries and improved the cemetery property.

During Father Ralph Obermire's pastorate in the early 1960s, OLGC joined the St. Edmond High School Corporation. Through the years, many of the parish's pastors have taught at the Catholic high school in Fort Dodge.

Various remodeling projects have been undertaken through the years. The most recent major project was a handicap accessible addition added to the front of the church in 1991. The addition was dedicated on June 9, 1991.

Father Boekelman, who was assigned to the parish in 1997, continues to serve there today.

The following vocations to the religious life have come from OLGC: Sister Mary Patrice, Lucille Halligan; Sister Mary Berniece, Catherine McCarville; Sister Mary Agnelia, Gertrude McCarville; Sister Mary Virginia, Ruth McCarville; and Sister Mary Francine, Ruth Ann Schuster.

The parish is presently clustered with St. Joseph in Duncombe and Christ the King in Dayton.