Onawa - St. John

ONAWA - The first Catholic church building in Onawa was constructed of cottonwood lumber grown on the Tim Murphy homestead. The Murphy family was early day pioneers, arriving here in 1857.

The church was built in 1872 with the first Mass offered during the Christmas season. Prior to this date, Mass had been offered in various families homes as early as the summer of 1858. The first church served the small congregation for over 40 years until the erection of a new building in 1913.

In 1903, lots were purchased for a new church and rectory at a cost of $335. These lots were later sold and four lots on Iowa Avenue were purchased. The house on the earlier purchased lots was moved to the Iowa Avenue site and used as a rectory. This occurred in 1909.

Under the supervision of Father Ryan, a new building was erected at the cost of $8,826.91. This new church accommodated 200 people with a dimension of 74 feet by 58 feet. Mass was first offered in the new church on Dec. 25, 1913.

Beginning in 1944, the growing parish of St. John started a fund for a new church. The one and one half lots adjoining the present church were acquired from the Pike family, increasing the site to five and one half lots. There was $71,000 available to start the building project.

The old church was dismantled and used as a temporary worship place from May 19, 1954 until the first Mass, which was offered on Sept. 8, 1955. Dedication was held Nov. 8, 1955.

The new church is an adaptation of the Romanesque period of architecture, measuring 108 feet by 40 feet, with an enclosure over the entrance steps increasing the overall length to 122 feet.

The basement social hall, with modern tri-fold doors to divide the hall into eight CCD classrooms, was completed in 1988 at a cost of $72,652.77. A stage, storage rooms, cloak and dressing rooms and a modern kitchen complemented the building.

The old altar was used until August, 1957, when it was donated to St. Philip's in Hornick. New small side altars, which were constructed to harmonize with the new altar, were donated by a pioneer family. The new altar of Italian Resota marble, with columns of forest green marble, coordinated with the accessories of white oak from Oberamagau, Germany.

In October, 1957, the church windows were installed. The art glass windows--six of the original from the old church and two newly constructed to match--were completed. In the fall of 1959, the carved statue of patron saint St. John the Evangelist, was delivered and installed. It was a donation from Helen Murphy as a memorial to her family, the John R. Murphy's.

During 2000 and 2001, St. John Parish has been pursuing a major addition to its church property. A general purpose gathering place with a three-level large elevator, twelve classrooms and offices are to be included in the addition. Multi-purpose rooms will accommodate bridal couples and attendants and be used a grieving rooms before funerals. These rooms will also be used as a meeting room for KC and Rosary Society meetings. In addition, a new rectory will be built on the remaining lots south of the new addition.

Funding for these projects is made possible from past saving received from legacies and generous parishioners.