1891
St. Joseph Catholic Church - Barnum, Iowa

Parish History

   Before a Catholic church was built in Barnum, Mass was celebrated once every three or four months in the various houses of the parish's future parishioners. In 1887, they decided to build a church, and at a cost of $250 purchased property on which the church and rectory once stood. 
   Parishioners contributed the building materials and labor so the church was not dedicated until 1897. By December 1889, the church had progressed to a point where services could be held. In 1890 Father Michael C. Daly from Queenstown Ireland, came to Manson St. Thomas and was also in charge of the mission in Barnum (Roder 169). In 1893, the building program was stepped up with the appointment of Father David Joseph Heelan
   The Barnum Opera House was built by Father Heelan, with a drama company organized from members in the parish. Regular performances by this group provided additional funds to complete the church. The additional funds helped to double the church capacity,.provide a winter chapel, organ gallery and exterior spire (Roder 170)
   In 1897, the dedication of Barnum's first church was described in the headlines as "An Epoch in the Life of our Neighboring Village." The day was celebrated as a holiday by everyone in the vicinity in spite of the heavy rain which was said to have seriously interfered with the holiday exercises which had to be abandoned except for the ball game, address by the speaker of the day, and formal ball (Roder 170).
   In 1962, the parishioners decided to tear the old church down and build a new one on the same location. It was built at a cost of $55,000, which was obtained by assessments from each family. During its construction, the 65 families attended services in the basement of the parish hall.
 
In July 1985 St. Joseph clustered with St. Matthew's of Clare, with Father Michael Larkin serving both parishes and residing at St. Mathew's.

In July 2000, St. Joseph's 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.