From the early 1860’s, missionary priests from Independence and Monti served the Catholic families in the Masonville area. Immaculate Conception Parish had its beginning with the first recorded baptism in March 1883. The first church, which contained eight pews, served the parish until a larger brick church was finished. The first Mass was celebrated on December 6, 1903.
A fire on Holy Saturday afternoon in 1923, destroyed the interior of the church, but those attending reconciliation were able to save the altars and statues. Parishioners got to work rebuilding the roof and providing a new interior including new stain glass windows within a year. Our church’s interior has been redecorated twice since then, but still offers the warmth of a country parish.
While several priests have served our parish, Rev. Michael O’Sullivan, a native of County Limerick, Ireland, arrived in November 1939 and served until his sudden death on July 6, 1977, just two weeks after celebrating his golden jubilee. During Father Mike’s nearly 38 years as our pastor, a rectory was built in 1960, adjoining the church on the east and a hall that bears his name was adjoined to the church on the west in 1971. Immaculate Conception Parish has been served over the years by thirteen pastors, four associate pastors, a sacramental priest and a deacon.
One tradition begun by Father Mike on November 1, 1958, that continues to this day is the annual Lord’s Acre Day auction. In 2010, seventeen loads of grain were auctioned to local buyers. With the change in our local economy, there are also nearly 30 families who support the annual Lord’s Acre Day collection with cash gifts. This day accounts for nearly one-half of the parish’s operational funds.
Over the years, our parish has been linked with St. Patrick, Winthrop and St. Patrick, Monti. In 2005, we became a member of the Blessed Trinity cluster along with St. Mary, Manchester, and St. Patrick, Ryan.
(2011)