The Catholic church in Merrill was built on a half-block of property purchased from the Simpson Addition sometime in the 1880’s, under the direction of Father Donahue of Hawarden.

In the earlier years all baptisms and baptismal records were at Hawarden, Iowa.  The first baptism found recorded was that of Francis Patrick Ackerman on February 4, 1894.  The first marriage was that of Emil Marx to Mary Swain on October 19, 1894.  The first death record found was that of Carl Kladt on December 15, 1918.

The original church is still in use today [1972].  In 1924 a basement and an addition to the rear of the church was built to increase the seating capacity.  Occasional remodeling was done in later years.

The first resident pastor was Rev. John Toohill.  In 1909 five acres of land was purchased from the Felix Karli farm just west of town for a parish cemetery. 

The present membership [in 1972] is 318 people and the church is presently served by Father James Fangman.

Organizations within the church are:  Altar Society, Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, Holy Name Society, and Foresters.

~Source: Merrill Centennial 1872-1972, pp. 248-249