Chapter 20 cont. Page 584 ST. JOSEPH'S In 1855, there being a large German population in the west end of town, which was quite remote from the other Catholic churches, a German Catholic church was decided upon and judge C. G. R. Mitchell donated grounds for the proposed church and the stone building still standing, which is now used as a school, was erected.  It was quite a pretentious building in its day.  The church was dedicated May 25, 1856; Father Flammang conducted the services in the German language.  He was succeeded in 1857 by Rev. John Baumgarten.  He stayed but one year and then the church was left without a pastor for six months.  Rt. Rev. Mgr. Niermann became pastor April 2, 1859.  On September 16, 1883, under the patronage of St. Joseph's, the new church was dedicated.  In 1900 an assistant, Rev. Frank Kottenstette, became assistant to the aged pastor and remained two years.  He was succeeded by Revs. Albers P. Stahl, P. Herbst, J. Snyder, and B. Kueppenbender.  In 1905, Rev. N. J. Peiffer, immediately after his ordination, came to the charge and is still there. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L