One of the oldest, if not the mother church in Linn county, is that at Lisbon. We have evidence of its existence and of early settlers for whose use it was erected dating as far back as 1854. Records show that Fr. Emmons, of Iowa City, the father of Catholicity in Linn county, made frequent visits to the little town, and baptized and ministered to the needs of the early settlers. Even farther back than 1854 it is on record that this pioneer of the faith offered the holy sacrifice and administered the holy sacraments in the home of Thomas McAllister, east of the town of Lisbon.
There are those living today who remember these times and conditions, and the fact is not questioned that some of the present members of the Lisbon congregation were regenerated by the saving waters of baptism in the home of Thomas McAllister, and it is even possible to meet occasionally those who well remember Father Emmons and his teaching.
It was through the efforts of this faithful pioneer shepherd, aided by the good will and support of the scattered few, that the old church of Lisbon was called into existence, and it is through veneration for the pastor and the pioneer that it is still allowed to stand, though no longer used for divine worship. This old landmark was erected in 1854. The site on which the little edifice was erected was donated by Jacob S. Pfautz, who also contributed to the present church building. Be it said to their eternal honor that among the contributors for the first church there are several names which are not belonging to the limited list of Catholics of those days.
Among the pioneers of those days we find such names as Peter Heller, George Ringer, Mike Hoover, Samuel Bell, Fred Rabenau, William Andre, Thomas McClelland, I. G. Trigenfuse, Sam Ellison, John Walton, J. A. McClelland, Joseph Owens, Thomas Andre, and others.
Father Emmons was only a missionary in Lisbon at the time his home charge was Iowa City, but as far as preaching and teaching the word and breaking the bread of life to the children of the faith his jurisdiction was not confined by any boundary or limitation.
The first resident pastor of Lisbon was Rev. W. Downey, who resided there for about three years after his term of service. Father Daly followed, and for a short time resided in Lisbon, and afterwards in Mechanicsville, and is spending the evening of his life in Atlantic, Iowa. After this time Lisbon was attached to Marion and was attended for a while by Father Laffin. When Father Hartigan succeeded to the charge at Marion he also attended Lisbon.
It was reserved, however, to the present popular pastor of Marion, Rev. P. M. Loughnane, to add another laurel to his crown by replacing the old time-honored landmark with the present ornate and well designed church building.
The Catholic cemetery, which is a part of the property of this charge, was purchased in Father Downey's time.