1902
Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church - Moorland
Parish History
Our Lady of Good Counsel in Moorland was established in 1892 as a mission to Barnum. The Moorland parish's first recorded baptism, listed in Barnum's registry, was James Joseph Loughran on Christmas Day, 1893. Prior to the establishment of the parish, the Catholics of Moorland attended Corpus Christi Church in Fort Dodge and Father Thomas M. Lenihan ministered to their spiritual needs. He later became Bishop of Cheyenne, Wyoming.
The first burial listed in Moorland Catholic Cemetery, which predates the parish, was Mrs. Anthony Halligan, age 33. April 15, 1889 In September 1894, the first church building a white frame structure, was dedicated under the administration of Father Michael Quirk, pastor of Barium OLOGC was organized as a parish and received its first resident pastor. Father William Shanahan, on December 1, 1902. At that time. Our Lady of Good Counsel had a membership of about 35 families. The first baptism recorded in the Moorland registry was Ellen Gertrude Halligan. who was baptized on November 30, 1902. When it came time to build a new church, even though times were tough, the people pledged $15,000 the first day. The ground was broken in March 1918 for the present brick structure. The cornerstone was laid on March 19. 1918. The contract was awarded to WJ. Zitteral Co. Webster City, Iowa, at a cost of $23.700. Noteworthy are the beautiful stained glass windows donated by parishioners. Shortly after the completion of the new church. OLGC welcomed a young pastor, Father Bernard Hunt, who would lead the parish for 32 years. Known for his learning, the priest possessed one of the finest private libraries in the diocese.
Father E.V. Carpenter came to OLGC on March 8, 1952. after the death of Father Hunt. He made improvements to the rectory reorganized the parish boundaries and improved the cemetery property.
During Father Ralph Obermire's pastorate in the early 1960s, OLGC joined the St. Edmond High School Corporation. Through the years. many of the parish's pastors have taught at the Catholic high school in Fort Dodge. Various remodeling projects have been undertaken through the years. The most recent major project was a handicap accessible addition added to the front of the church in 1991. The addition was dedicated on June 9, 1991.