History:

Following the purchase of 6 lots of ground on April 26, 1899, in the name of John Hennessy, Archbishop of Dubuque, St. Patrick Parish was formally organized and became a mission of St. James Parish, Forest City. On the evening of April 27, Fr. Lynch met with the Catholic men of the area and a committee was appointed to conduct local church affairs and solicit funds.

A small church was built on the property purchased (on North Main St.) and was opened in July of that year. The parish was served every 3rd weekend by the Forest City priests who rotated between Forest City and Lake Mills. Traveling by train, they arrived on Saturday afternoon and returned to Forest City on Sunday afternoon.

Fr. Woerdehoff was appointed as St. Patrick’s first resident pastor in 1912 and was also assigned to Sacred Heart in Woden. In 1913, more land was obtained and a rectory was built. In 1916, the church was moved to its present site on 5th Ave. NW, at which time it was enlarged by adding the transept and sacristy.