| REV. JOHN MCCORMICK, Rector of the
Church of the Sacred Heart at Monticello, is a man of
superior education and attainments, highly respected and esteemed,
not only by his own
congregation, but by all who enjoy the pleasure of his acquaintance.
Though not of American birth, he is loyal to the institutions of our
country, and is a progressive, liberal-spirited citizen, favoring
all measures tending toward the advancement of the people. Since
coming to Monticello he has labored with devotion and unwearied
fidelity in the interests of the cause at this place, and his
efforts have been rewarded, for the congregation has increased
numerically, and its spiritual growth has also been quite
gratifying.
The subject of this sketch is a young man, having been born in
1860. In Ireland, the land of his birth, he grew to manhood,
meantime carrying on his studies in the parochial schools, and
afterward entered Mt. Milleran Seminary, where he remained a short
time. His education was completed at Carlow College. Thus well
equipped for a successful career in whatever profession he might
enter, he decided to give his life to the holy order of the
priesthood. There was need of Workers in the growing towns in the
western and middle states of our country, so, in 1883, he crossed
the ocean, and on arriving in America, made his way directly to
Dubuque, Iowa, where he was placed in charge of St. Raphael's
Church. For two years he labored in that capacity, and afterward for
a few years he held the pastorate of the church at Britt, Hancock
County, Iowa, at the same time having charge of adjoining missions.
His next location was in Harper's Ferry, Allamakee County, where he
preached to large congregations.
In December of 1886 Father McCormick was appointed pastor of the
Church of the Sacred Heart
at Monticello, where he now has a congregation consisting of forty
families. The church is in a flourishing condition, and its
harmonious working proves the skillful oversight of the pastor. He
also has charge of the church at Sand Springs, Delaware County, in
which are to be found representatives of several different
nationalities, but, notwithstanding this fact, they all work
harmoniously together. Ever uppermost in his heart is the welfare
and progress of the work in which he is engaged. Since accepting
this position he has made many improvements in the church, which
indicates a praiseworthy spirit among the people and earnest effort
on the part of the Rector. |
Dubuque County IAGenWeb