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Immaculate Conception Parish
Start of the Parish
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The town of Gilbertville
got its modest beginnings in 1854.
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The town was plotted by a
group of young Catholic men called “The Company.”
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In August 1855, Bishop
Loras celebrated Mass for the people.
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In 1856, Bishop Loras
purchased 20 lots, which is the current parish property.
The Church Building
Throughout the Years
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First wooden church was
quite crude and was built in 1855.
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Second church was built in
1857 and was made of stone. This church was dedicated to Mary under
title of Immaculate Conception.
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The third church was a
larger church which was built in 1873.
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The fourth and final
church was built in 1889.
History of the Current
Church Building
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On December 19, 1875, Rev.
John Nemmers was ordained into the priesthood and on the same day was
appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Gilbertville.
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Rev. Nemmers directed the
stone masons for the current church. The firing of the brick was
made from clay on the site - as was the preparation of lime for the
mortar and plaster.
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In 2004, Immaculate
Conception Church underwent a complete restoration, restoring the church
to its glory and splendor.
Parish Priests
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Rev. John Nemmers,
1875-1928. Rev. Nemmers was instrumental in building the
beautiful church that still stands today.
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Father William Cremer,
1928-1965. Father Cremer was instrumental in the construction of the
beautiful Sacred Heart Grotto in 1935, which is just to the west of the
church.
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Both Rev. Nemmers and
Father Cremer are buried side-by-side in Immaculate Conception’s
cemetery – St. Mary’s Cemetery.
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Father Diehm is currently the
pastor of Immaculate Conception parish in Gilbertville, St. Joseph
parish in Raymond, and the Don Bosco Catholic school system.
Other Buildings
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From 1891 to 1901, a brick
convent, school, and rectory were built.
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In 1919, St. Mary’s Hall
was built.
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In 1956, Don Bosco High
School opened. It was supported by six parishes.
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In the fall of 1961,
construction of the new grade school began.
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In 1969, Immaculate
Conception and St. Joseph schools merged.
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From 2010-2011, a $3.3
million project for the new St. Mary’s Center (and some updating for Don
Bosco) was being worked on. This s a multi-purpose building, consisting
of a cafeteria and gymnasium, which opened in 2011.
Immaculate Conception
Parish
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There are currently 735
families.
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There are 1,950
parishioners.
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The yearly festival is the
Fall Fest, held each year in October.
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St.
Joseph Parish
Start of the Parish
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In 1905 the community
decided to form and build their own church.
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Previously, parishioners
attended Immaculate Conception in Gilbertville.
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Volunteers donated labor
and constructed the hilltop church just north of the railroad tracks.
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On July 4, 1906, Rev. John
Nemmers celebrated the Mass of dedication.
The Church Building
Throughout the Years
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The church was built from
1905 to July in 1906.
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Lightning struck the
original church during the first Friday evening Mass, burning it to the
ground on May 5, 1972.
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The assembly room of the
school now serves as the worship center, which holds 250 persons.
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Later an overflow/cry room
and handicapped chair lift were added.
Parish Priests
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Rev. H. J. Rottler served
as the first pastor from 1906-1913.
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Rev. Paul Grace served the
parish from 1966-1972.
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Rev. Henry Huber served
the parish from 2010-2022.
Other History
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Cemetery land was
purchased next to the church.
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The rectory was built in
1907 for $2,700.
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The parish hall and
addition opened in 1916.
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The parish hall burned in
1933, and a new hall was constructed on the same site.
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In 1950, the original
school was built for $20,000, along with a $10,000 convent.
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In 1964, a new brick
school was built for $125,000.
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The rectory was demolished
in 2004.
St. Joseph
Parish
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Immaculate
Conception and St. Joseph schools merged in 1972.
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A Kindergarten program was
also added to St. Joseph Center.
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There are currently
181 households
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There are approximately
433 parishioners.
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In 2004, the parish became
linked with Immaculate Conception, served jointly by one priest who
resides at Gilbertville's parish.
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