Parish History of

Saint Mary's Parish Nichols Iowa

In the fall of 1874, the first move was made to establish a church at Nichols Station as it was then called. The task was no easy one with a small number of parishioners and no very large bank accounts. Using a provision in the will of Samuel Nichols to provide half the bricks for the first church built in the town, a church was built lasting for nearly 30 years. A new St. Mary's Church was dedicated October 30, 1904. Funds were raised to build the $18,000 building. For 16 years this landmark rose to the heavens until struck by fire in 1920. Defective electrical wiring was blamed as the cause. The present church was built on the old walls which survived the fire. In 1950 the church was redecorated and lightning struck the steeple on July 5, 1953. Extensive damage resulted but there was no fire. The church tower and steeple were repaired. The last interior decaration was completed in 1986. Other inprovements include a handicap accessible entrance and lift, restroom facilities, stained glass window restoration, new furnaces and air conditioning. Poor water drainage made a full basement under the church unadvisable. In 1955 a cinderblock building with cooking and meeting facilities was built. This building remains today as a center for parish and community activities.