History of St. Malachy's Church

     In the mid 1800's with many countries in Europe involved in revolutions, famine and tyranny, notably the Germans and the Irish people began to look to the New World for their future hope.  Following the signing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act by President Pierce, many of these immigrants began to travel west.

     It was around the year 1858 that the first inhabitants of Marshall County arrived and many of these early pioneers were of the Catholic faith. As the Catholic population increased, so did the need for establishing new parishes. Fr. Wm. Fitzgerald used to travel by horseback from Irish Creek to Beattie, to celebrate the Mass. Before the Beattie Church was built, Fr. Fitzgerald offered Mass in private homes.  As the congregation grew, the Mass was celebrated at the old stone school house. But it was the James Fitzgerald home in Beattie that became unofficially the first Church, rectory and hotel for the traveling clergy.

     The construction of the first church at Beattie began in 1880 under the guidance of Fr. Fitzgerald, who was to become St. Malachy's first pastor. The lots on which the church was built were donated by Mr. and Mrs. James Fitzgerald. The building cost approximately $3,000, a substantial amount of money at that time. Fr. Fitzgerald died on November 29,1881. Father Bernard Hudson completed the construction of the church and was appointed pastor of the Beattie parish.

     In 1882, Father J. Daly succeeded Fr. Hudson and remained as pastor for about a year. Even though the church had been built, a resident pastor was not forthcoming. The parish remained a mission parish until late 1907.

     In 1883. St. Malachy's was a mission parish attached to Marysville and Fr. M.A. Meile was placed in charge of the congregation. It was at this time in our parish development that many German Catholic families were settling in and around Beattie and so on alternate Sundays, Fr. Meile would preach in German and then the next Sunday in English. Fr. Meile's health was not very good and in September of 1885, he resigned as pastor and was replaced by Fr. John Hartman who remained in this position for about one year.

     From 1886 to 1895, Beattie was under the pastorate of Fr. M.J. Schmickler, who came to Beattie twice a month from Marysville When a church bell was needed, Fr. Schmickler took to the pulpit and gave such a moving sermon that he received much more  money than he needed to purchase a bell. The bell was later transferred to the new church and can still be heard today on Sundays and special occasions.

     In 1895, Beattie was attached as a mission parish to St. Michael's Church in Axtell under Fr. F.S. Hawelka. He was Beattie's pastor until January of 1898 when for a short  time Beattie was transferred to St. Bridget Church and Fr. P.R. O'Sullivan..

     From 1898 to 1903 the parish was once again attached to Axtell with Fr. Maurice Burke as pastor. Fr. Burke also delivered his sermons in both English and German.

     In 1903, Fr. Francis Taton was appointed pastor of St. Malachy's and in August of that year began the construction of the parish house. Upon its completion in 1907, Beattie was given its first resident pastor, Fr. M.J. Galvin. He began his duties as pastor on the 12th of October, 1907.

     On August 4, 1910, Fr. Galvin returned to Ireland was was replaced by Fr. James J. Ryan. His poor health forced him to resign his position of pastor in 1914.

     Fr. Hugh McDevit replaced Fr. Ryan and remained as pastor until 1916 when he was replaced by Fr. Theophilus Schwam. In 1921, he was replaced by Fr. William Nelligan. He served the parish for 49 years as pastor.Fr. Bill undertook the job of building a new Church. In 1923,  the construction of a red-brick structure measuring 50 X 100 feet was begun.

     The Church, with all new interior furnishings, (altar, pews, art-glass windows, statues), cost $23,000 and was paid for in full by the time of its dedication on the 24th of October, 1924. In autumn of 1928, the old church burned down. With the insurance money, a new building was raised on the same lot where the old church stood.

     In 1967, Fr. Wm. Nelligan retired as the active pastor but still retained the title of "Pastor Emeritus." Fr. Wm. Loebeck was sent to succeed him.

     In August, 1970, Beattie was assigned its next pastor, Fr. James Wright. Fr. Wright started the first Parish Council. He also started the Ne-Mar Center, a not-for-profit group that assists the less fortunate.

     July 18th, 1973, Fr. Wm. Nelligan died. Fr. Bill wished to be buried in the town he loved and labored in for 52 years.

     In July, 1977, Fr. Jim Wright was transferred and the Beattie parish received its 18th pastor, Fr. Thomas Dolezal. He established a Family Mass Program in October of 1977 as our current CCD program. Summing up his feeling about St. Malachy's and Beattie, he said, "I now know why Fr. Nelligan wanted to stay here all those years."

     In July, 2004, Fr Dolezal was transferred and was replaced by Fr. Gary J. Pennings. Father Pennings took over the duties as Pastor of St. Malachy's and St. Gregory"s in Marysville thus once again combining the two Churches.