1888
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church - Lehigh

Parish History

   In its early days Lehigh had been known as "Slabtown" (Roder 108).
As early as 1870, Father T.M. Lenihan offered Mass in the farm home of John L. Powers.a few miles north of Lehigh. People from Lehigh, Duncombe, and Judd attended these services.
   An important factor in the establishment of the Immaculate Conception Church in Lehigh was the generosity of Walter Wilson, president of the Crooked Creek Railway and Coal Company. This company donated two lots for the purpose of furthering religious services in the community to the Universalist Church Society of Lackawanna (now called Lehigh)
   In 1879, Silas Smith, an unordained minister, built a church for his Universalist followers on these lots. For about three months, Smith preached his doctrine of universal salvation. Because of the small number attending these lectures, it was decided to abandon the church. The property was then rented to be used as a dance hall.
   On July 28, 1888, the church building once more became a house of worship. Under the guidance of Father Lenihan, the site and building was purchased for $900. It was now known as Immaculate Conception Church.
   By 1951 the church building was 76 years old and badly in need of repairs. In March 1955. the community building on North Main Street was purchased. The decision was made none too soon because the roof of the old church collapsed on Sunday shortly after Father Pick had finished offering Mass. It took considerable time to raise the $8.000 needed to remodel and complete the work. The period between 1955 and 1959 was the only time since 1888 that Lehigh Catholics were without a home church.

1989 - Immaculate Conception parish merged with Christ the King parish (Dayton) 

2016 - Diocese of Sioux City's Ministry 2025 is implemented a year early and Holy Trinity Parish is reduced to two priests and that the worship sites of Christ the King, Dayton, St. Matthew, Clare and Our Lady of Good Counsel be moved to non-active worship site status.