Hospers, IA - St Anthony's Church

St. Anthony’s Parish began with the arrival of 17 men of Luxembourg & German descent in the spring of 1870. The first Mass in Hospers was in 1875 by Fr. Lenihan of Sioux City three miles south of Hospers on the Matt Harens farm. In 1875 about 12 families built St Anthony’s first church dwelling at a cost of $500, it was the first Catholic Church, and the second Church in Sioux County. In 1877 the little church was enlarged in which Fr. Meis said Mass on weekdays. People from Alton and Granville came to worship. The Sunday requirement was met by driving an ox drawn cart to LeMars for Sunday Mass. Some walked to Le Mars on Saturday for Sunday Mass then walked back on Sunday. From 1883-1884, Fr. Frey from Alton St. Mary’s served Hospers parish as a mission, followed by Fr. Luehrsman from1884 -1888. The second church for St. Anthony’s was built under the direction of Fr. Luehrsman, the rector of Alton, in 1888 at a cost of $3200. It was the largest Church in the county at the time. St. Anthony’s received their own pastor Rev. P. Corbett later that year. In March of 1889, Fr. Corbet was transferred leaving St Anthony’s a mission to be served by Fr. Lynch of Sheldon. This church was enlarged and redecorated and dedicated by Bishop Garrigan in 1903. At the same time, 35 children were confirmed. In 1889, the parish started Catholic instruction for grades 1-5 in the church, with Sisters quarters in the back, then in the same year, in the newly completed two story wooden school (36x36). Later, grades 6-8 were added. The parish paid for the running of the school and so it was free to all parish children. The Franciscan Sisters of Milwaukee taught at the school in 1889. In 1892 a house was built for the Sisters since the school became too small. The three Sisters taught about 40 students with no grades at first. German was spoken in the morning and after lunch all spoke English. It was encouraged that they continue speaking English at home. The school was a boarding school from 1894 -1934. In 1908, St. Anthony’s had 75 families and was debt free. In February 1938, a parish meeting was held in the Church after Mass to discuss the construction of a new Church building with the possibility of using the lumber from the old church to build a new school. In 1938, the 76 families of St. Anthony’s built the presentpermanent brick Roman style church, seating 400. The cost was $45,000 and was paid in full upon completion, one of the few in the state built with no debt. The first rectory was built in 1888 and was replaced with a brick rectory in 1957. The church recently renovated the basement and west entrance to include a foyer and elevator access for handicapped accessibility.