The first Catholic Church was constructed at a site just east of the present structure on land donated by non-Catholic Caleb Brooks in 1868. Father Harding, who was described as the first priest to visit the town, drew up the architectural plans. This frame building measured 80' X 31' and contained a seating capacity of 250. G. F. Gunderson, mason by trade, laid the foundation and carpenters, Horatio and Cyrus Harvey, constructed the building.

The first priests to minister at Ossian were assigned to neighboring towns. They included Fathers James Harding and M. A. McCarthy from Cresco, and Fathers Lenihan and Toner of the Decorah Parish.

Rev. J. F. Brady became the first resident priest in 1873.  Part of the first rectory was built under his administration. The Rev. D. H. Murphy succeeded Brady. He purchased the first bell. This bell, bought in St. Louis, was considered among the finest in Northern Iowa. It weighed 2600 pounds, and with its fixtures cost $650. J. Milbert was an early sexton, sacristan and janitor. Joseph Spillman and Frank Wictor among the first servers at mass.

The Rev. P. A. R. Tierney was appointed to the Ossian Church in 1879, He found the parish divided by friction between the German and Irish members, and worked diligently to restore harmony. Three altars, along with other religious artifacts, were added under his stewardship. Father Tierney was much in demand as a lecturer on temperance. He spoke at gatherings throughout Northern Iowa, Southern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.

During 1887, there were 37 births, 9 marriages and 20 deaths in the Parish; 64 souls were confirmed and 100 children enrolled in the school.

In 1890, Father M. W. McCarthy took over the Ossian Parish. Membership had increased so much that a larger church building became necessary. The contract was let to L. Eberhard of Dubuque, and the cornerstone laid with impressive ceremonies on August 27, 1895. One year later, the beautiful new edifice was dedicated by the lost Rev. Archbishop Hennesy. The town was decorated for this occasion, and the Cornet Band met the Archbishop at the railroad station. Father Tierney, a former pastor, was celebrant. More than a thousand people were present and many more failed to gain admission. The new Church, an imposing Gothic structure of brick veneer 133 ft. long by 52 wide, with a spire reaching 150' into the sky, dominates the landscape of Ossian to this day. It seats 800 worshipers; church membership includes 155 families of 1000 souls.

The old church building was purchased by H. T. Klisart and moved to the south aide of Brooks street. It eventually became the Knudsvig residence.

It was the Rev. Theodore Warning, successor to Father McCarthy, who built the brick structure that was to house Ossian's Parochial School for the next two generations .

The Rev. Father Lechtenberg replaced Father Warning as priest, in 1901, despite a petition of retention signed by the entire congregation and presented to Archbishop Keane of Dubuque. Under his leadership, a rectory was constructed; the inferior of the Church was decorated; three new altars were purchased; and a pipe crgan installed. The cemetery was enlarged with land donated by Andrew Meyer. Several bodies were moved in the Catholic cemetery to make room for additional grounds on the east side of the parochial School. Concrete sidewalks were constructed around the church property with Father Lechtenberg donating the cement.

His Grace, Archbishop Keane, arrived at the Ossian depot to confirm a class of 135 at Saint Francis. He was welcomed by a large delegation of parishoners headed by Rev. Lechtenberg, visiting priests and the Ossian band.

Father Lechtenberg passed away in 1910. His remains were laid to rest in the rurial ground. Over two thousand mourners, including fifty one priests, attended h.is funeral.

The Rt. Rev. Msgr. J. J. Thiltgen was Ossian's new pastor. He served for many Tears. Under his stewardship a new set of stations of the Cross were erected; the church grounds were increased by a purchase form the Meyer estate; and the school vas expanded to 12 grades and earned accreditation by the state.