to the first class ever confirmed in Madison County. Young people from Pierce, Madison, Tilden and Norfolk, as well as from the local parish were included.

In 1887, Father Lechleitner was recalled and Father Thomas Walsh, a young priest, was put in charge. He was taken back to Omaha for the year 1889. He was then again placed in charge of Battle Creek with headquarters in Norfolk. He remained in charge of this parish until his death in 1938.

In 1906, people of St. Patrick's parish again united with the self sacrifice that had characterized all of their pioneer work, and under the direction of Father Walsh, built the present parsonage. Father Walsh took up residence there in January, 1907, as the first resident pastor of St. Patrick's parish.

A later important event in the history of the parish was the purchase, blessing and erection of the church bell in May, 1909. Contributions for this, as for the various buildings, were given by business men of the town and by people of the parish.

Many families who were not of the original colony of settlers moved into the parish from early days on and all contributed much to the growth and progress of the Church and community.

Among priests who have served St. Patrick's parish since the death of Father Walsh in 1938 are Father J. D. Maciejewski (1938-1941); Father Walter Flynn (1941-1942); Father William Fitzpatrick (1942-1943); Father Walter Flynn again (1943-1946); Father Richard Parr (1946-1951); Father Joseph Kaup (1951-1956); Father Leo Kuhn (1956-1961); and Father Michael Kelly (1961-______).

Organizations which are active in the parish are the Altar Society, Holy Name Society, and Council of Catholic Women. Though there is no parochial school, religious instruction for the children is provided by two Sisters from the Benedictine Community in Norfolk who spend each Saturday forenoon in the parish. Their transportation is supplied by the pastor and members of the parish.

Since 1939, the St. Frances De Sales parish in Schoolcraft Precinct has been a mission attended by the Battle Creek pastor.

St. Patrick's parish has furnished Sisters to several religious Orders. The first girl to enter an Order was Catherine O'Neill, daughter of Mrs. Anna Manning O'Neill and P. H. O'Neill who entered the Sisters of Charity of the B.V.M. in Dubuque, Iowa. She took the name of Sister M. Gabriel. She is still in the community in Dubuque.

In later years, Agnes V. Hughes, daughter of Margaret Beck Hughes and M. J. Hughes (and granddaughter of P. A. Hughes) entered the Franciscan Order in Stella, Niagara, New York, and was known as Mother Mary Erica. She served for a number of years as Provincial Superior of their Midwest Province with the Mother House in Denver. She was in charge of the hospitals and schools operated by her Order, west of the Mississippi River. She died in 1953.

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