VARINA - St. Columbkille Parish of Varina had its beginning in 1882. The tiny parish was made up mostly of people from Irish and German descent and remains much the same today. The church was first known as St. Columba's, then Dover Church, then North Fonda Church. Finally in 1895, it was named St. Columbkille.

The first church was built in 1882 at the site of the present cemetery, 2.5 miles east and 1 mile south of Varina. The five-acre plot cost $500. The first parish house was built beside the church in 1905.

By 1907, Varina was becoming quite a community and the church and house were moved into town. The church was moved by capstan, a very slow process. Mass was said every Sunday in the church where ever it happened to be along the route. After the move was completed in 1908, the church was completely remodeled.

A new church was built in 1951. Some of the lumber from the old church was used to build a new rectory in 1953. The old parish house was used as a convent at one time. That building was sold and moved back to the country not far from where it was originally built. The new rectory has also been sold.

A four-story 12-grade brick school was built in 1910. The Sisters of Francis of Clinton staffed the school until recently. A cement block parish hall with a basketball court was built in 1912. In 1950 it was replaced by a gymnasium and hall built west of the school. The old school was demolished in 1966 and a one-story brick grade school was added to the remodeled gym. The high school closed in 1961 and the grade school in 1975.

Many priests have served St. Columbkille Parish: Father S. Butler, Father M. J. Hetherington, Father M. J. Quirk, Father William Shanahan, Father J. Stranahan, Father F. Wrenn, Father F. B. Sullivan, Father A. L. Schaefer, Father Edward Masterson, and Father D. J. Heelan.

In addition, these priests have been assigned to St. Columbkille: Father E. J. Neppl, Father J. M. McAuliffe, Father E. S. Maynard, Father F. J. Doyle, Father Gabriel Barry, Father Bernard Greteman, Father Frank Greteman, Father F. P. Cassidy, Father F. Kolvik, Father John Schissel, Father John Brennan, Father Walter Bruch, Father Charles Bormann, Father Eugene Murray, Father Mark Harrington, Father Bruce LeFebreve and Father Tom Gehlan.

After Father Gehlan, the resident priest at Fonda also became pastor at St. Columbkille. Father Edward Murray was the first and Father Armand Bertrand followed as resident pastors. The present pastor of St. Columbkille is Father Harry McAlpine.

Varina has a Rosary Makers Club and thousands and thousands of rosaries have been made and distributed locally and worldwide. The hub of St. Columbkille Parish is the Altar Society. It has a yearly social to which ladies of many different denominations are invited to be guests for food and fun. The highlight of the year, however, is the annual Fish Fry. The entire parish from the youngest grade school students to the senior citizens turn out to help.

There currently are 65 envelope holders. St. Columbkille Parish is small but healthy.