1946
Holy Rosary Catholic Church - Fort Dodge, Iowa

   Parish History

   The land for Holy Rosary Parish was contracted for on June 6, 1946, with Father Leo McCoy appointed as pastor on October 4, 1946. Through the kindness of Pastor B.M. Watson and the congregation of Epworth Methodist Chuch, Sundat Masses were held in their church hall.
   The early years of the parish, under the direction of Father McCoy, were marked by the growing parish community, as well as the erection of the facilities. A quonset hut was built in 1947, and a stainless steel cross made by John Kopish and Gene Maguire was placed on the front of the building. The hut was used for church srvices, weddings, funerals and other parish functions. A house on Highland Park Avenue was purchased to serve as the rectory. 
   The Rosarians, the women's organization, began in March 1947. The famous spaghetti dinners, another tribute to the work ethic of the parish, were first held at the Knights of Columbus Hall and at the Sacred Heart Church Basement. The Men's Club began in August 1947. There was also the Catholic Social Club, an organization for married couples of the parish. 
   Ground was broken for a parochial school in September 1951, which was to include facilities for a temporary church and temporary living quarters for the sisters. Five sisters from the congregation of the Adorers of the Precious Blood arrived from Ruma, Illinois, to teach in the school, with an enrollment of 145 students. There was no tuition except for non-parishioners. 
   The next rectory was started in June 1956 and was completed under the direction of Father David T. McGoey. School enrollment was increasing and more classroom space was needed, so a convent for the sisters was built in 1957. 
   The parish center, library, and kitchen addition to the school was compelted in 1963, the same year that the venerable quonset disappeared. Renovations were done to the church by Father Keefe and then by Father Nemmers, with the latest remodeling completed in 1996.

2000 - Holy Rosary Parish became part of the Catholic Team Parishes of Webster County. 

2006 - 150 years of faith in Webster County.

2006 - Bishop Nickless decrees that the Parish of the Holy Trinity be established. Holy Trinity Parish is now the official name of our parish in Webster County while maintaining the existing names of each church worship site.

2008 - Long Range Collaborative Planning with St. Edmond Catholic School System.   Parish reduced from 4 to 3 priests.  Closure of Barnum, Duncombe and Holy Rosary.   Long range planning process led to one site vision.