History of the Church

1979 - July - A tornado hits Algona causing $25 million in damage.
Many lost homes, businesses and loved ones.
October - Pope John Paul II visits Iowa

The First Church

The actual organization of St. Cecelia occurred in 1872 when the first church was built. However there were Catholics in Kossuth County as early as 1857. Father Lenihan came to a little schoolhouse northeast of Algona to say Holy Mass. Father Lenihan would travel to the Hegarty homestead upon which Peter Hegarty would then travel with his team and wagon to gather the faithful for Mass. The task required all night. The women and children would come in wagons with the men trudging stolidly alongside. The ceremony meant so much to them.

April 1872, Father Lenihan announced he would return the following year to build a church. Judge Call generously donated $100 - a handsome sum for those times - and all others did what they could. This church stood approximately at the intersection of Diagonal road with the Chicago and Northwestern railway. It was furnished for some years with planks set on blocks in lieu of pews, and was in all respects primitive, but was a monument to everybody who participated in the sacrifice which made it possible.
(Adapted from The Upper Des Moines Republican, Algona, Iowa, September 7, 1954)

In 1873 Father John J. Smith was appointed pastor of Assumption parish in Emmetsburg and Algona was one of the many missions included in his pastorate. He travelled eight counties, from Garner to the east and to Hull on the west. Fifteen families attended church in Algona.

Father Theodore Wegan was appointed to St. Joseph's Church in the southern part of Kossuth County and received the Algona territory. St. Cecelia continued to be served by priests from "St. Joe" when Father Zigrang succeeded Father Wegman in 1879.

By 1880 the number of Catholic families in Algona and nearby communities had so increased they desired a resident pastor. The fall of that year the first resident priest was stationed in Algona. Father McCaffrey had Bancroft, Forest City, the Klein Settlement north of Lone Rock, Whittemore, and West Bend under his jurisdiction. This was about the time the church property was condemned to make way for the Chicago and Northwestern railway. A new site was purchased and the church was moved to the corner of McPherson and Church Street (when the street ran through to Church Street, which it does not now). Father McCaffrey was a man endowed with a true missionary spirit and underwent many sacrifices in the faithful discharge of his many arduous duties. His memory was cherished by Catholics and non-Catholics who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Father Denis McCaffery 1880-1887 - Born July 9, 1844,
Fr. McCaffery was ordained in 1876 as a priest of the Diocese of Rockford, Ill.
Died in Ruthven, Iowa, on December 3, 1907.

The Vagabond Church

Most parishioners do not know that the first St. Cecelia Church is still in existence. It has made six different trips and housed many families. The church was built in 1872 and sometime later moved and stood facing east on McPherson when the street ran through to Church Street which it does not at the present time. Then in 1892 the second St. Cecelia's was built and the first church was moved to what is now 1516 Commercial Street. The church-house was bought by Henry Lichter in 1912 and was moved that same year by "horse power" to an acreage on South Sample Street. Eleven Lichter children were raised there. The Lichters owned the house until 1930.

There were other owners until 1968 when the Algona Community School District purchased the house and surrounding property on which to build the present high school. The house was then moved the Third Ward School where classes for Special Education students were held. In September, 1975, the school district held an auction to sell the house, which was purchased for $500 by Mr. and Mrs. Larry Sowers. They moved it to Hobarton and it now sits on the west side of the road. The plain white structure gives no indication of its age, the years of serving as a family home, its six arduous moves, and no indication that it was once a church!

The Second St. Cecelia's

In 1887 Father Nichols was appointed pastor of the church. According to the Globe of June, 1953, with characteristic energy, he soon conceived and executed the idea of a new church, which was erected in 1892. The cost was listed as $14,000. The laying of the cornerstone took place on July 11, 1892, with the Very Rev. Michael Carolan of Mason City officiating. The rust-stained and rust eaten document which was removed from the cornerstone when the present St. Cecelia's church was begun read as follows:

July 11, 1896
On the eleventh of July A.D. 1892 in the Pontificate of Leo XIII P.P., Rt. Rev. John Hennessy, Bishop, Rev. M. Nicholls, Pastor, the cornerstone of St. Cecelia's Church was laid by Very Rev. M. Carolan of Mason City assisted by the following Rev. Fathers: Rev. John Smith, Emmetsburg; Rev. Robert Hughes, Blue Earth, Minnesota; Rev. A.J. Schemmel, Bancroft; Rev. A. Erdmann, Wesley; Rev. J.J. Fitzpatrick, Washington, D.C.; Rev. J.J. Garland, Eagle Grove; Rev. John McMahon, Garner; Rev. Luke Carrol, Ruthven; Rev. R.J. McCrath, Charles City; Rev. M. McInerey, Livermore; Rev. P. McCauley, Emmetsburg; B. Harrison, President of the USA; H. Boise, Governor of IA; L.A. Sheets, Mayor of Algona.

The dedication ceremony took place on May 30, 1894. There were 25 priests present for the occasion. This was a day long to be remembered, as it witnessed the culmination of a cherished wish to have a suitable house of worship that would accommodate the rapidly growing congregation. The church had twelve stained glass windows, six on each side, which were donated by female members of the parish; one can speculate that they frugally saved their "chicken and egg" money to do so.

The "old" church, as many parishioners call the second St. Cecelia's, was built in front of the present church. The wooden structure had six stained glass windows on each side, and a tall steeple, the bell of which is in the present church. The altar was white, etched in gold. A green felt cloth covered the altar when Mass was finished. Lovely white linens covered the altar. Statues of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph occupied the side altars with St. Teresa, the Little Flower and St. Anthony, and the Sacred Heart near the main altar. The communion rail did not have kneeling pads. There were 26 pews which seated about six people, with small pews seating three people on each side. Each parishioner had his name on the pew where he usually sat, and for which he paid "pew rent". Later numbers were put on the pews and were assigned to families. The confessionals were at the back of the church and were draped with a green curtain. The balcony provided extra seating space as well as the place for the choir, their voices accompanied by a pump organ.

In 1898 Father W. J. Halpin became pastor and served until his death in 1916. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery. During his pastorate a white wooden frame house was built as a rectory. Later the Sisters' residence was built. One story is told how he himself used to pass the collection "box". If he came to someone he thought should put more in than he did, he would rattle the box until the money was forthcoming!

Calvary Cemetery

The deaths of the early pioneers' loved ones posed hardship problems in this area.

The first cemetery was located on a gentle hillside plot in Plum Creek. Lilacs still bloom there to commemorate the early resting place.

Information on Calvary Cemetery was related by Lawerence Winkel:
By Warranty Deed dated May 28, 1884, and recorded January 12, 1887, A. A. Call conveyed blocks 20 and 21 in Call's addition to Algona to Denis McCaffrey. This is the south one-half, commonly referred to as the old part of Calvary Cemetery. Then by Warranty Deed, both dated and recorded June 17, 1887, Denis McCaffrey conveyed the same land to John Hennessy, Bishop of Dubuque. Then by Warranty Deed dated May 6, and recorded May 7, 1913, Phillip J. Garrigan, conveyed this same property to St. Cecelia's Roman Catholic Church. These two city blocks were laid out as four cemetery blocks, being 2 east and 2 west of the circle in which our priests are buried.

From old cemetery records it appears that practically every family head in the early parish was assigned an eight grave space lot, but with an occasional one taken by two related families and at the modest price of $10 per lot.

No deeds have ever been issued by our cemetery association, but rather burial space rights, so that each family could be assured of sufficient space to inter all of its members.

Nothing by way of perpetual care, or cost of future caretaking was exacted in connection with those early sales, and after many years had passed and also with new parishioners moving into the parish, the price for grave spaces rose to the sum of $50 by 1917 for an eight grave lot, and still without anything for future care. About 1940, something for perpetual care was begun and by the spring of 1942, when a permanent cemetery board was first established and elected, an effort was made to ask former lot holders when available to contribute to a perpetual care fund, as well as to making a charge for it with all future spaces sold.

By 1923, it became so obvious that additional cemetery space would soon be needed, so by Warranty Deed dated January 15, and recorded March 6, 1923, the Chas. A. Fouhy heirs deeded blocks 12 and 13, and all that part of vacated Mound Street between some in Call's addition to Algona, to St. Cecelia's Catholic Church. This is what is now the north half of our cemetery. Referred to as the new part, and two cemetery blocks were laid out along the south edge thereof in six grave lots, all of which had been sold by 1970.

By Warranty Deed dated March 8, and recorded March 12, 1962, St. Cecelia's Roman Catholic Church conveyed 17 feet of the north edge of Calvary Cemetery property to the State of Iowa."

Parish Life in the 1900's

Horse and buggy was the mode of transportation. During Mass horses were tied in an open-sided stall on which the parking lot is now situated. Nugent's cow mowed the grass in the field next to Rose Scanlan's house where the rectory and the present front of the church are now. Andy Holtzbauer drove Father Maynard by horse and buggy on his sick calls. Farmers farmed only the high ground because so much of the territory was wet and boggy. Tilers moved into the territory about 1910. The construction of large drainage and dredge ditches made the land much more farmable.

When Father Nicholls inventoried the church and rectory, a few of the contents listed were 1 slop bucket, 2 pictures of the Sacred Heart, 1 water bucket and one dipper, one white, black, and "violate" vestment. The yearly salary of the priest in 1877 was $176.75. Total receipts were $227.50 given by 27 contributors. A large cistern was built beside the church so that soft water was available for washing and for blessing the people.

The Spirit of the Church

There are no recorded documents on the Spirit of the church, but many parishioners recall happenings that have been related to them by their forbearers. The Mass and the church were an integral part of the lives of the German, Irish, and Luxembourgers who settled in and around Algona. One person tells of her great-grandfather walking the railroad tracks to Emmetsburg to attend Mass. Another tells of a priest walking from Fort Dodge area to Plum Creek to say Mass. He, then, continued to the Hegarty farm to say Mass. Priests and parishioners alike made great sacrifices to go to Mass.

When the Church was completed, Mass was at 8 am and 10 pm. Confessions were heard on Saturday evening or before each Mass. Parishioners fasted from midnight to receive Communion. They used "prayer books" to follow the Mass which was said in Latin. (About 1940 the Missal, which had both Latin and English, came into general use. After Vatican Council II came the Missalette and the discontinuance of Latin.) Devotions to the Blessed Virgin and the Sacred Heart were an integral part of family and church worship. Since the church was heated only on Sunday, daily Mass was held in the sacristy where the heat came from a pot-bellied stove. A valiant few attended daily Mass. The sick and the shut-ins could depend on a visit from the priest.

Children grew up aware they had been baptized in the Church and had godparents who were their spiritual parents. They received First Communion about the age of six. Everyone expected to be married at a Nuptial Mass, which was an occasion attended by all one's friends and family. If one married a non-Catholic, only after months of study and the signing of many papers, could one be married by a priest. Then the ceremony usually took place in the rectory. The solemnity of the funeral Mass was emphasized with the use of black vestments and a liturgy of fear of hell which contrasts with the present day use of white vestments and the message of hope.

Building the Rectory

Father Davern was appointed to St. Cecelia's in 1923. He had been born in Ireland, educated in the East, and served as assistant in Fort Dodge and Humbolt before coming to St. Cecelia's. (He met his youngest sister for the first time since childhood when as Sister Mary Bernadine, she was stationed at Whittemore.)

On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the parish, Father Davern moved into the new rectory. W. W. Hanson was the general contractor for the "Georgian Colonial" home, built at a cost of $12,000.

A two-day fall festival was held in October, 1930, for the Golden Jubiliee of the parish. It began with a Pontifical Mass celebrated by Rt. Rev. Edmond Heelan, bishop of Sioux City. A supper was held on two different nights, a bazaar, and a dance with a live orchestra at the academy. It was a gala event. 100 parishioners were added to the parish during Father Davern's time, necessitating an assistant. Father Cletus Ahmann came in June, 1934, after his ordination.

By 1948, fourteen sisters occupied a convent built for six. Soon Monsignor Percy P. Gearen arrived in July, 1948 and started a drive to build a convent. In less than three years the Sisters were living in a debt-free convent which cost $110,000. The dedication took place on June 3, 1951. During his tenure, Msgr. Gearen also built the present church, the north addition of St. Cecelia's school, St. Ann's Hospital, and Garrigan H.S.

St. Cecelia Academy

Approximately 164 young students, attending eight grades, commemorated the founding and official opening of St. Cecelia's Academy in September, 1927. A school system in St. Cecelia's parish had long been desired. Four years after the arrival of Rev. T. J. Davern, the St. Cecelia Academy became a reality. The total investment was $75,000

The first staff, with the cooperation of the Sisters of Presentation, was under the direction of Principal Sister Mary Archangela. Teachers were Sister Mary Ellavene, 7th and 8th grades; Sister Mary Agnes, 5th and 6th grades; Sister Mary Elise, 3rd and 4th grades; Sister Mary Hildegarde, 1st and 2nd grades; and Sister Mary Scholastic, music. The students were surprised and pleased to enjoy the privilege of attending Mass in the school chapel.

One year was added each year thereafter until a full high school curriculum was offered. In June 1932, eighteen young people, nine girls and nine boys, received the first diplomas from St. Cecelia's High School.

The Academy continued for 26 years with the final class graduating in 1958. 1959 marked the realization of the Catholic education dream when several area schools joined to build Garrigan High School. It was then that the first addition (the rooms now used for preschool) was added to St. Cecelia Academy as well.

St. Cecelia's then continued with eight grades until 1966, when lack of facilities forced omission of the first grade. St. Cecelia's and St. Joseph school of Bode, Iowa, merged in 1969, which increased facilities to reinstate first grade.

Classes for the 1st through 5th grades were held at St. Cecelia's and grades 6th through 8th at St. Joseph School.

Thirty-eight youngsters made up the first kindergarten class which began in 1979-80. Kindergarten through 4th grade from the St. Benedict and Wesley parishes joined St. Cecelia's-St. Joseph School for the 1979-80 school year. The 1980-81 school year included 5th grade of Wesley and St. Benedict.

Around 1980, St. Cecelia Academy incorporated many parishes, thus had a contest to rename the school. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was chosen. (Elizabeth Seton was the first native born American to be canonized by the Catholic Church. She captivated everyone by her own kindness, patience, good sense, wit and courtesy. Elizabeth started a school in Baltimore, Maryland. She and two other young women, who helped her in her work, began plans for a Sisterhood. They established the first free Catholic school in America. On March 25, 1809, Elizabeth Seton pronounced her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, binding for one year. From that time she was called Mother Seton. By 1818, in addition to their first school, the sisters had established two orphanages and another school. Today six groups of sisters trace their origins to Mother Seton's initial foundation. Mother Seton died in 1821 at the age of 46. For more information about Saint Elizabeth Seton visit Catholic Online.

A Preschool program for four-year-olds began in 1982. They attended half a day, three days a week. This program grew and, between 2003-2008, added three-year-olds.

In the late 1980's, Seton, a prek-8th grade system of its own merged with the Garrigan 9-12 system to become one complete prek-12 Catholic Education system.

The 6th-8th grade students were still attending school in St. Joseph, Bode, until 1991, when a new middle school was added to Seton Grade School. It was at this time that St. Joseph, Bode, closed their doors and all grades prek-8 attended school at Seton.

St. Ann's Hospital

Kossuth County Hospital has been in operation since October 4, 1949, first under the name St. Ann Hospital. The cornerstone of the $650,000 structure was laid in the fall of 1948 with St. Cecelia's pastor, the late Msgr. P. P. Gearen and assistant Father W. B. Bauer presiding.

The 14 acre wooded tract on which the hospital stands was presented as a gift to the Sisters of Mercy of Dubuque, IA by Mrs. Mamie Frankl. Many of our parishioners helped in bringing the hospital to Algona. Luke Linnan, Algona attorney, was the head of the volunteer Hospital Committee which was instrumental in raising the initial funds necessary to getting the project started and M. J. Bradley was on the original Board of Directors.

As it was constructed in 1949, St. Ann's included an emergency room adjacent to the ambulance entrance on the 1st floor, two modern operating rooms on the 2nd floor and complete obstetrical and nursery sections on 3rd with an entire capacity of 60 or more patients. Also included was a beautiful chapel and chaplain's apartments.

Quoting from the 9-29-49 Upper Des Moines "Algona can boast of the most beautiful, modern up-to-date hospital of its size in the whole State of Iowa. It has been ... a community project supported by everyone in the community regardless of creed."

Ownership of St. Ann's was transferred to the Sisters of St. Benedict of Madison, Wisc., Sept. 1, 1967. On January 1, 1972, ownership was again transferred to Kossuth County and renamed Kossuth County Hospital. On April 4, 1977, ground was broken for a Family Health Center to be added to the south of the hospital.

The Demise of St. Cecelia's II

While the need of a new church was recognized by everyone, it was a sad occasion for many. It was in the "old" church that many had been baptized, confirmed, married, and from which many had buried their loved ones. It was like losing a mother. One story is told how after the last Mass a small elderly woman knelt for the last time praying before the Statue of the Blessed Virgin and left crying inconsolably.

The "new church" was to be built in back of the "old church" so that Mass could be held in the "old church" during the time the new one was being built. Henry Holland, Msgr. Gearen's brother-in-law, was in charge of the demolition of the old church. "Zeke" Winkel who helped, tells that wooden pegs had been used in the frame work as well as square nails. The stained glass windows were built into the frames to that many of them were broken. Pews and Stations of the Cross were given to the missions.

The only things that are known to have been moved into the new church are the Infant of Prague Statue, tall candle sticks, a life-size crucifix, and the statue of St. Anthony. Only a few people are aware that St. Anthony wears a splint! One day the statue was found with an arm broken off. Wood was inserted into the arm and it was plastered and painted. So St. Anthony stands in the rear niche of the church today with most people unaware of his scars.

The New St. Cecelia's

New steeple, weighing a ton, rises to the sky.
A special crane was brought in from Waterloo just for this task.
The steeple was erected on the ground, and then lifted into position.

These pictures were scanned from the Tuesday, September 7, 1954,
issue of The Algona Upper Des Moines.

Construction of the church began in March of 1953. H. J. Cowan was the general contractor. Altogether eighteen contractors were involved, including Pratt Electric, Mergen and Webster, and Gerber and Buscher, all of Algona.

The overall dimensions of the church are 170x77 feet. Exterior walls are of tan face brick and trim of Indiana limestone. The total height of the uniquely designed tower is 78 feet. The copper-covered cupola, spire, and cross add another 30 feet. The bells enclosed in the tower are rung by pressing an electric button. The church has a slate roof.

The impressive main entrance doors face south. They open to a large vestibule, with a family room, usher's room, lavatories, shrine, and octagonal baptistery nearby. The nave has a seating capacity of 800; an additional 80 can be accommodated in the balcony. The pews and wainscoting are of Appalachian red oak while the floors are of terrazzo. The wood-beamed ceiling is acoustically treated.

Sirio Tonelli, an Italian church artist, directed the interior decoration utilizing the talents of Italy's foremost sculptors and iron work artists. The most imposing feature is the beautiful main altar and baldachin, the large canopy above the altar, which is supported by four marble columns. The blue mosaic of the baldachin provides a pleasing contrast to the marble. Above the marble tabernacle with its bronze doors is a wooden carving of the Body of Christ, created by a famous Italian sculptor.

The two side altars, done in the same style as the main altar, have tall marble statues of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. Sacristies, located to the right and left of the sanctuary, are connected by a semi-circular hallway located behind the rear wall of the sanctuary. Off the priests' sacristy is a completely equipped flower room. The same sculptor who did the wood carving of the Body of Christ created the fourteen Stations of the Cross.

The consecration and dedication of the new St. Cecelia's Catholic Church took place on Thursday, September 9, 1954, with the Most Reverend Joseph M. Muller presiding.

The Church Windows

A man named Sirio Tonelli created the drawing of the windows. He was from Omaha, Nebraska and was an up and coming artist in that day (1954).

The processing of the stained glass windows is as follows:

1. The sketch is made by Sirio Tonelli, and then presented to the Pastor for approval.

2. Then a large size model is constructed in cardboard, and the colors are matched.

3. The glass is cut and painted in transparent light.

4. It is baked in very high temperatures of 1200 to 1400 degrees Farenheight for 17 hours. This will protect the glass against dampness.

5. The glass is finally glazed in the leads, put into the frame, and is now ready for installation.

All of the windows were completed and installed in 1954.

The glass was the highest of quality found for this type of work, imported from Germany, France, England, Italy, and Czechoslovakia.

A protective clear glass was covering the windows upon installation. It was then removed when the church was renovated in 2002.

Meaning of the Windows:

1. The windows of the main portion of the church depict the Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary.

2. The windows in the Sanctuary and the Baptismal Room, now the Reconciliation Room (in the southeast corner), are the four evangelists.

3. The two front windows are the Old and New Testament.

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Garrigan High School

The year 1957 was another turning point in the history of St. Cecelia's Parish. In July of that year, it was announced by Bishop Joseph Mueller of Sioux City that a Central Catholic High School should be established in the Algona area. St. Joseph's of Wesley, St. Benedict's, St. Joseph's of Bode and St. Michael's of Whittemore were the other parishes asked to participate in the planning, construction and financing of the project. Father Francis Conway was assigned to organize the endeavor and to become the first superintendent. Land totaling 45 acres in the northeast portion of Algona was purchased from Mr. David King. After the bids were let on April 10, 1958, Garrigan High School was initiated, named after a former Sioux City Diocesan Bishop, Bishop Philip Garrigan. At the cost of $900,000, the new Garrigan High School opened its doors to 324 students in September of 1959. The students of the former high schools of St. Cecelia's in Algona, St. Joseph's of Bode and Presentation Academy of Whittemore, joined students of Wesley and St. Benedict, on five new buses for their daily rides to and from classes. There could be no after school detention because of busing, the lunches were 30 cents and there was plenty of parking space for those who provided their own transportation.

The History of Garrigan

History of Garrigan on School Website

Rectory Addition

When the new St. Cecelia School was opened in 1928, housing had to be provided for the Presentation Sisters who were coming to staff it. A large frame house, which stood on the west side of Church Street directly in front of the Convent, had served the parish as a rectory for many years. Because of its size it was decided to give the house to the Sisters as a convent and to provide a new rectory. Father Thomas J. Davern made plans for this new rectory that provided only one office and very limited quarters for the pastor and housekeeper.

Within a very few years the first assistant priest was appointed to St. Cecelia parish. Because of the limited space in the rectory it was often necessary for him to take his appointments to the school or some other area. With only one office there was no other choice.

As the parish grew, and the business transacted through the rectory increased, the need for additional space became more acute. Monsignor Gearen often spoke of an addition to the rectory considering several alternatives.

When Msgr. Bauer arrived in 1971 he set as one of his first objectives the improvement of the rectory situation which by that time had become a severe handicap to the proper functioning of the parish. Not only was more space for offices required, but meeting areas for parish organizations was also much needed.

Many alternatives were weighed. Construction of a house for the clergy apart from the business offices of the parish was considered, but discarded as impractical. An addition to the front of the existing rectory was examined, but was rejected because it would require extensive remodeling of the existing rectory and would demand the use of many steps to reach the parish offices. Finally the present plan, the construction of an addition to the rear of the existing building was decided upon.

Construction was under way in 1976. The rectory complex now provides living space for three priests, two guests' room, living quarters for a housekeeper, secretary's area accommodating two secretaries with files for records, offices for three resident priests and a Director of Religious Education, a library, work area, and two conference rooms in the lower level.

Perpetual Adoration Chapel

On July 2, 1984, Father Thomas Nash, then pastor of St. Cecelia's, established its Perpetual Adoration Chapel in the room east of the sanctuary. At that time, the concept for a chapel of this kind was not common across the country, but it was the dream of Father Nash. By first receiving support from the parish for this project, Father Nash proceeded to procure the necessary funds through a generous donation by Lillian Thilges in memory of her late husband, Harry Thilges, to convert the room into a chapel. Transforming the workroom into the place of adoration was the next task. Carpet, paint, and furniture were donated through the generosity of parish members and many volunteers worked to panel, carpet, and decorate. Parishioners also volunteered to spend time in prayer throughout each week in the year, most signing up for a particular hour each week.

As the room began to be transformed, the question of an altar design arose. Sister M. Dolores agreed to sketch the design, and the finished product is an arrangement of lines that places the focus of attention on the monstrance which holds the consecrated host.

Sister Mary Dolores Zieser is the designer of the Perpetual Adoration Chapel windows and altar. She is a native of Ryan, Iowa, had a Master's Degree in art, and taught at Garrigan High School at the time.

Strong diagonal lines from top and bottom lead to and emphasize the focal point of the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance. Different shades of wood lead the eyes of the adorer back and into the Eucharist. The Chi Rho symbol on the front of the altar represents Christ, our Eucharist. The dove above and behind the monstrance symbolizes the Holy Spirit who comes to us in and through Jesus. The altar was built by Patrick Murphy, a member of St. Cecelia Parish.

Diagonal lines and geometric designs reflect the design of the altar. The Chi Rho and Eucharist symbols, and the Holy Spirit symbol, are also carried out in the windows. The glass is in the colors of gold, green and brown to represent the sun, earth and plant life which is such an integral part of the lives of the rural people in this community. Different shades of red and orange symbolize the strong, yet individually different faith lives of the local people. The stained-glass windows were constructed by Olai and Audrey Olson of Sunshine Company Stained Glass near Bancroft, Iowa.

Also, Father Nash proposed and received approval for the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance, a gold filigree decorated cross with the Body of Christ in host form at its center. The Latin inscription around the monstrance proclaims, "Come all you who are heavy burdened," which remains a key purpose of the chapel. People may post special intentions in a three ring binder in the entry way of the chapel, where they may ask for prayers for specific persons in need of prayer in their families, in the community, and in the world. Then, throughout the day as people come and go in the chapel, they read the messages and pray for those intentions. This makes the chapel a great asset to the community as well as a great benefit to individuals who find comfort in prayer within its walls. For over twenty years, the tradition of twenty-four-hours-seven-days-a-week prayer has remained a strong and sustaining force, and the parishioners of
St. Cecelia's and the community of Algona continue to experience the power of prayer.

2002 Renovation

Over the years only minor facelifts such as painting had been done to St. Cecelia's Catholic Church since its dedication in 1954. During the summers of 1999 and 2000, the bricks were tuck-pointed and exterior windows were replaced. The boiler was replaced in February of 2000. Planning began in 2000 when it was decided to direct attention to the inside of the church. A core group of ten parishioners were involved in the planning and selection of contractors. The church closed for renovation Labor Day weekend of 2002 and reopened for Christmas Eve services. Church services during that period were held at the Rochleau Center, with funeral services held at Bishop Garrigan High School. The cost of the project came in a little under $600,000.

The renovation included: a new ceiling with seamless tiles; air conditioning; lights and a remote-controlled lighting system; a Rogers Electric organ; a new sound system with Bose speakers, Mackie amplifier, and equalizer; bells; new handicap accessible bathrooms; carpet in the entry ways; paint; a new finish on the terrazzo floor; and new paint and relocation of three statues. The pews were refinished in a darker shade to match the medium-colored woodwork. New windows were installed in the lower level. A hidden catwalk was constructed above the ceiling to access all of the air conditioning units and lighting.

Wheelchair accessible areas were added among the pews, with space to comfortably seat six wheelchairs. New carpeting was installed in the Gathering Room at the Rochleau Center, the Reconciliation Room, the Mothers' Room and Adoration Chapel. The furniture was also reupholstered. New wooden doors replaced old metal doors.

The decor is still neutral. The walls were painted an off-white, which really brightened the room. The cornices and other accent areas have been painted a taupe, with gold trim to highlight the windows, cornices and other areas. A faux wood finish was painted over the trim in the concrete arches to match the woodwork throughout the church.

St. Cecelia Parish

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