THE CHURCH AT WALKER
For many years, the faithful of this town and the surrounding districts were attended from Independence. In 1887 Very Rev. Fr. O'Dowd, of Independence, erected a church at Walker, and for four years attended to the same from his home in Independence. In 1891 a new parish was established by Bishop Hennessy, and Rev. James Ryan, now of Calmar, Ia., was appointed first resident pastor. Having a church already secured the new pastor directed his zeal towards the erection of the present parochial residence. While the parish was not numerically extensive, yet what it lacked in numbers was supplied in interest and zeal, and the new pastor in his apostolic spirit and unflagging zeal soon had the good will of his congregation entirely at his disposal and with their generous cooperation in hand and heart and as far as circumstances permitted in currency, he erected a fine home for the use of the priest and had it paid for in a short time. During his stay of three years in the parish he also improved and completed the conditions in church and church property which required attention. Fr. Ryan is the best type of a truly apostolic priest, the zeal of God's house and the happiness of God's people, being the single purpose which at all times animates and actuates his life and action.
After three years, Archbishop Hennessy, recognizing his earnestness and efficiency, assigned him to a new and more varied field of operation and he was succeeded at Walker by Rev. John McNamara, now of Key West, Dubuque. Fr. McNamara's stay in Walker was of only short duration, about three months, when in obedience to the wish of authority he went to Key West. After his departure the present pastor, Rev. Wm. Leen, assumed jurisdiction and his stay in Walker for sixteen years is the explanation of the present flourishing condition of the parish. Vast improvements have been effected, in the church and church property, and today Walker takes its place not only among the Catholic churches in Linn county but among the churches in any county in the state.
The pastor is a most zealous and priestly man, an erudite scholar and a profound and persistent student. He is not selfish, and generously gives of the fruits of his research through the columns of pamphlet and press. Fr. Leen also occasionally lets his thoughts run along metrical lines.
Besides Walker, Fr. Leen also extends his zeal and paternal care to Rowley and another mission station which is not in Linn county. But while frequently engaged in historical research, and contributing to current literature, he finds abundant time and opportunity to feed the sheep and the lambs over which he is shepherd and does his duty so well that he is most popular not only with his charge but with the community in general.
THE MARION CHURCH
One of the prettiest churches in Linn county today is St. Joseph's at Marion. It was built by the present pastor, Father P. M. Loughvane. Like most other places in Linn county the early settlers in Marion had to endure hardships for their religion. The settlers were few and far between and the only consolation they had from a religious standpoint was the occasional visit of a missionary priest from some outside charge.
In the years 1855 and 1856 a good priest named Father Smith came occasionally from Iowa City to minister to their needs and preach them a word of encouragement. In those days Father Emmons also came from Iowa City and contributed to keep the lamp of faith burning. Father Laurent, of Muscatine, also came to Marion occasionally and did missionary work among the pioneers.
As a rule the faithful journeyed to Iowa City whenever the weather permitted. In these days there were no automobiles nor telephone service, and it was not at all uncommon for the travelers to be weather bound on their way to or from the scene of their religious observance. Sometimes they had to sleep all night in the wagon in the midst of the woods when the swollen streams prevented their going any farther. It looks like something one may read about, but there are those living today who recall it as a fact. Waiting till the river flowed by, or at least till its current became less rapid, or till the hidden ford appeared—such were the trials of pioneer days in Linn county, and such the tests the faithful were subjected to.
After 1870, Marion was attended by Father Lowry, of Cedar Rapids. After Father Lowry's time the faithful of Marion were attended by Father Richardson, of Fairfax, and after his transfer to St. Patrick's he continued to minister to their needs. His successor, Father McQuirk, continued to assist in bringing the consolations of religion to the early settlers. In later days Father John Brogan, of Fairfax, ministered to their needs whenever time and opportunity permitted.