Limestone Church (five)

Below is a continuation of the tale of the organ used at Immaculate Conception Church at Wexford, Iowa. In 1980 the Maurice Mooney family, in memory of their son Mark Mooney, purchased a Baldwin organ that produced beautiful music for over forty years. Finally, in the summer of 2021 the organ was again repaired but was on its last legs. In the spring of 2022, Bev Platten and Shari Curran spent many hours researching brands, calling local musical instrument businesses, checking costs, and determining availability. Additionally, Bev and Amber Foutch traveled to many locations listening to the sound of the music produced from different organs.

The Ralph Mohn family offered to donate the full cost for a smaller organ, but the parish council decided that fellow parishioners could contribute additional funds to purchase a larger organ with many more features (bells and whistles). Dan Conway was tasked with dismantling and removing the well-used organ donated by the Mooney’s. The new Tiger Organ arrived on 8 March 2022 and made its way safely into the church. The difficult part was moving the large and slightly over 400-pound organ up the narrow winding steps to the choir loft. Moving up the steps required two strong men above and below the organ. There was difficulty making the sharp turn on the top of the steps resulting in the organ being manhandled and lifted over the railing onto the choir loft. Some of the volunteers included John O’Neill, Brandon O’Neill and his boys, Maurice Mooney, Pat Delaney, Mark Kruse, Joe Egan, Tom O’Neill, Johnny O’Neil, Tom Gavin, Mike Gavin, Leon Manning, Dan Conway, Georgianna Gavin, and Bev Platten.

Father Sean Smith went up to the choir loft to bless and pray over the new organ following the 5:30 Mass on Saturday.

“My dear brothers and sisters, we have come together to bless this new organ, installed so that the celebration of the liturgy may become more beautiful and solemn. The purpose of music in the liturgy is above all to give glory to God and to lead us to holiness. Thus, the music of the organ wonderfully expresses the new song that Scripture tells us to sing to the Lord. To sing this

new song is to live rightly, to follow God’s will eagerly and gladly, and, by loving one another, to carry out the new commandment that Jesus gave us. Lord God, your beauty is ancient yet ever new, your wisdom guides the world in right order, and your goodness gives the world its variety and splendor. The choirs of angels join to offer their praise by obeying your commands. The galaxies sing your praises by the pattern of their movement that follows your laws. The voices of the redeemed join in a chorus of praise for your

holiness as they sing to you in mind and heart. We, your people, joyously gathered in this church, wish to join our voices to the universal hymn of praise. So that our song may rise more worthily to your majesty, we present this organ for your blessing: grant that its music may lead us to express our prayer and praise in melodies that are pleasing to you.”

A broom / storage closet was built beneath the steps leading to the choir loft. This space stores the basic cleaning supplies used in the church. A large full-sized crucifix is located on the left side near the exit in the back of the church. The crucifix depicts a traditional representation of Christ on the cross with the INRI (Christ king of the Jews) inscription above the body. The life-sized Jesus image does not bear the crown of thorns and there is minimal blood around the spikes in his hands and feet. The statue on the

crucifix was obtained and donated in memory of the Jubilee Mission in October 1904. In Catholic tradition, a jubilee year is a special year of remission for sins and request for universal pardon. The Jubilee Mission at Wexford was well attended with a photo of attendees five rows deep along the entire south side and across the front of the church.

Nearly 500 people celebrated the 4th of July in 1905 at Wexford. Hurray for the 4th of July, and  good old Wexford is the place to celebrate if you are looking for a good time. Good music has been prepared and heard as in former years, the planning committee spared no pains to make this year’s celebration a grand success. A large bowery was built, and the grounds of the church are

in excellent shape. The Wexford celebration was a wonderful success. The weather was all that could be desired and all the events were enjoyed by all. The boys from Wexford won the championship baseball game 6 to 4. A good way to end the day. Hurray for the Wexford team victory.