At that time and during the years which immediately followed, a fairly large Irish settlement was formed in the northeast corner of Winnebago and the adjacent section of Worth County, centering around the town of Bristol.  Another formation of Catholics settled farther south in the area of Forest City, with groups of Irish to the north and west, and a large group of Austrians to the south.

Bristol was served by Father Carolan of Mason City, who came by train to Northwood, and was met by lumber wagon and taken to Bristol for Mass in the Patrick Devaney home, or in the schoolhouse.  Father McCaffrey of Algona walked to Forest City where he said Mass first in the OConley home, then later in the old court house.  From Forest City, he would go to the Edward McGreevey farm home, six miles farther north, west of Leland, for Mass the following morning.

Later, Father McCormick was a resident of Britt, with Forest City and Bristol included in his charge.  The first baptism in Forest City was that of Rose Gaving, baptized in the Gavin home by Father McCormick in 1887. 

Next, Father Corcoran, who lived in Garner, took care of Bristol and Forest City, but was in charge for only a short time.  He was followed by Father McMahon.  It was he who decided to build a church for the Bristol settlement, locating it in Lake Mills.  At this time, Father Kelly was sent to Lake Mills as resident pastor, with Forest City his mission.  This stirred up the Forest City Catholics, and during Father Kellys pastorate, they built a church at the west edge of town, where the cemetery is now located.

Just before the church was completed, Father John P. Taken was appointed to succeed Father Kelly, but with his residence in Forest City.  He lived in the Anderson Hotel until he could finish the church and build the rectory.  The cemetery was then laid out.  The first burials in the cemetery were Mrs. Gelner and Celia Gavin.  Missions attached to Forest City were Lake Mills, Nortwood, Thompson, Buffalo Center and Armstrong.  Father Taken stayed seven years, and Father Patrick Lynch was next pastor for three years.  Then came Father ODougherty for one year, to be followed by Father Torpey, who served eleven years.

A fresh breath from ould Erin came to our parish with Father Dennis P. Cregan, who soon became endeared in the hearts of everyone in the community.  Old and young, Catholic and Protestant alike, loved Father Cregan.  His cheery greeting in his broad brogue was for everyone, and after ten years, it was with heavy hearts the word was received in the community that Father Cregan was to be transferred to Volga and Wadena parishes in 1928.

The next pastor was Father Joseph Richard for four and a half years, then Father Leo Entringer for a few months.  Father J.E. Slowey was appointed in 1933.  During the year 1935, the church and rectory were moved downtown.  In 1947, following World War II, Father Slowey was succeeded by Father Maurice Mullan, who was a chaplain during the war.  This was his first parish as pastor, having served as an assistant prior to this time.

During Father Mullans pastorate, extensive improvements were made in the rectory and the basement of the church for a dining hall and kitchen.  He also made vast improvements at the cemetery, with parish men helping.  A Memorial Altar was erected where he said outdoor Mass on Memorial Days.

On September 23, 1951, Father Thomas B. Knox replaced Father Mullan.  St. James Parish had gone ahead under his administration and guidance. Remodeling of the parish hall and rectory took place.  The parish had grown to such proportions that the education of the youngsters became a problem and they could no longer be handled by just two weeks of summer school in June with the good Sisters of the Presentation Order.

The Executive Board was formed on June 8, 1958, and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine was set up.  St. James School of Religion was set up and the first in the diocese where there was no parochial school.  Classes began in October 1958, with eight lay teachers and 106 students under instruction every Saturday morning.  The parish hall was renovated to provide classrooms, and several classes were held in parish homes and the rectory basement.

On October 29, 1956, St. James Court #1745 of the Catholic Daughters of America was organized, and 39 members were initiated.  It was an active organization, and worked in conjunction with the Guild for the good of the parish.

In the fall of 1959, when the high school grounds were being graded adjacent to the cemetery, excess dirt was donated, and Father Knox asked for donations of $1600.00, the amount necessary to improve the cemetery.  It added approximately four acres to the cemetery, which was landscaped to become one of the finest Catholic cemeteries in the diocese.

Father Norbert Barrett, son of  Mr. and Mrs. Mike Barrett, was ordained to the Holy Priesthood and said his first Mass at Forest City in 1931.  Three young ladies from the Lake Mills mission parish have entered religious communities:  Sister Mary Anastasia (Kennedy), Sister Mary Bernadella (Conley) BVM, and Sister Mary Callista (Ryan).  Father Russell M. Bleich, son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Bleich of St. James, was ordained in Rome on December 18, 1960, with his parents and sister present for his Ordination.  He said his first Mass in Garner, where he grew up and went to school.

On August 7, 1963, Father Knox was appointed to St. Marys parish, Eldora, Iowa, and remained there until his death on March 9, 1968, at the age of 57.

On August 7, 1963, Father Ivan Boyd came to St. James from Sabula, Iowa.  Improvements in the cemetery were made under Father Boyds directions.  Corner markers were placed for each lot, black topping of the road through the cemetery, and also a building to house tools was purchased.  Father Boyd was ill for many months during the spring and summer of 1968, but he was at all times ready to serve his congregation.  On February 6, 1970, he was appointed to St. Josephs church in Prairiesburg, Iowa.

In June 1970, Father Nicholas Cigrand from Dubuque was assigned to St. James and St. Patricks of Lake Mills.  CCD classes were moved to the neighboring Lutheran church, and a campaign was started to build a new church under the guidance of Father Cigrand.

Mr. and Mrs. John K. Hanson, Mr. and Mrs. Joe DeBoest, and Mr. and Mrs. Elliott Cooper gave the parish 2 ½ acres of land for a site for our new church.  Mr. and Mrs. Hanson purchased our old property for a sizeable sum.

The new church-hall-rectory complex was completed and dedicated in July 1973.  Wit the new facility in place, Fr. Cigrand had the privilege of fine-tuning parish plans and programs of a more spiritual nature for two years.  He left for Immaculate Conception in Lansing in July 1975.  His pastorate in Lansing was very brief, as he died of a coronary in January 1976.

Father John W. Karal came to St. James from Lansing in July 1975, remaining until July 1980.  During this time, the sisters were brought into the parish on a full time, permanent basis to help in developing spiritual and educational programs.  Parish growth was not as rapid in the late 70s, yet many new families were welcomed.  The sisters to serve our parish were as follows:

1976-77:  Sr. Coral Milles, Dubuque, Presentation;

1977-79:  Sr. Iria Miller, Sr. Irene Kelly, Rochester, Franciscan;

1980-84:  Sr. Theresa Roling, Dubuque, Fransican;

1984-88:  Sr. Marian Jochum, Dubuque, Franciscan;

1988-??:  Sr. Ann Marie Dunn, Dubuque, Franciscan;

19??-??:  Sr. Mary Dolores Moes, Dubuque, PBVM;

19??-Present:  Sr. Dorothy Ann Barloon,??

In July 1980, Father William N. Holzer came to St. James from St. Boniface, Garner.  During his pastorate several building and grounds improvements became a reality.  Along with his spiritual leadership, Father Hozer was involved in several facets of public life.  Knights of Columbus Council 7896 was chartered in November 1981 under his guidance.  Father Holzer was transferred to be pastor of St. Francis, Balltown, in June 1986.

Father John R. Kremer came to St. James as pastor from St. Peters, Temple Hill, rural Cascade, Iowa, and remained until ????.  Through the generosity of the people and an estate, St. James was able to develop a savings, the yearly interest of which helped Catholic education in the Mason City area.

Besides serving the people of his parish, Fr. Kremer was always available to the community to serve those with special needs.  The parish has benefited greatly from his favorite hobbies of electricity and his love for music.

. more to follow.