The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-11-29
SAINTS SIMON AND JUDE CHURCH
FLANDREAU, S. D.

The first Catholic Church in Elan
dreau, was erected by Father T. A.
Flynn, now Mgr. Flynn of Madison,
s. D., in 1882 Thus was founded the
present parish of Saints Simon and
Jude. Previous to this date, Rev.
Father John Brogan and Father G. S.
Mattingly celebrated Mass in Elan
dreau at the town hall which was then
used as a chapel. This was in 1880
81. After those years more Catholics
began to settle in this part of the
young priest, took active charge of
Flandreau and Madison missions. AS
those places increased in population,
Father Flynn erected the frame
church building in Flandreau which
served the Catholic population until
1916 when a new $4,000 church took
the place of the little frame struc-
ture. The priest who succeeded Fa-
Their Flynn was Thos. NJ. VanDevivre
in 1887, who remained until 1890 with
the exception of short interval when
Father F. X. Quay relieved him be-
tween the years 1SSS-S9. They in turn
were succeeded by the Rev. Jos. Bar
ron who remained until 1891, and on
the 25th of January of that year was
succeeded by Rev. Peter Jos. Jermain
who remained for one year and was
succeeded by Rev. A. O'Hora who re-
manned about four months. Then
Father James C. Ahern came to Flan-
dreau and acted as pastor until 1895,
when the revered Father Thomas
Quick became his successor and re-
manned in Flandreau until 1898, where
he died that same year. His remains
rest in the local cemetery with those
whom he instructed and loved so well.
A large wooden cross, bearing the
image of Christ Crucifed, marks the
spot where he rests. This was the
monument he asked his people to erect
over his grave before he died His
memory is still fresh in the hearts of
the older people of the parish. so that
Catholic and non-Catholic mention his
name only with reverence and respect.
Father Quick had not only the dis
tinctiOn of leaving the impress of his
of Flandreau, for he was known and
heralded abroad as great mission
airy priest, and it was he who admin
istered the last sacraments to Allen,
Larken and O'Brien, when they died
for Ireland. Everyone is familiar with
the song and story of the Manchester
Martyrs" 1t was Father Quick who
accompanied them up the rugged stair
as the voices rung in prayer" Before
the fatal step was taken Father Quick
cut off lock of hair of each patriot,
which he ever kept as a souvenir
1t was to escape such scenes as this
that Father Quick left England and
came to America, coming to the West
where priests we're few and the har-
vest was great. 1t was thus that our
beloved Father Quick came to South
Dakota, and the people of Flandreau
had the good fortune of securing his
priestly services to the very end. Some
years after his death his grateful flock
thought of rearing a substantial and
suitable monument to his memory.
They asked the assistance of the A. o.
H. of America for $100,000.00. That
organization heartily endorsed the
project and promised their aid, so that
it was decided to build a grand me-
mortal church in Flandreau to be
known as the Quick Memorial" Year
after year the A. o. H. found the de-
mands on their charity growing great
err They finally offered 100000 out
of their treasury, but this was not ac-
cepted, and the the parish of Elan
dreau made up their minds to build
suitable church themselves, which they
did at cost of over $40,00000
The Rev Michael Dermody succeed
ed Father Quick in 1898. and took
charge of the parish until 1904, when
he was sent to Aberdeen by the Right
Reverend Bishop, who sent Father
Martyr in his place. In 1913 Father
Martyr was changed to Bryant and
the Rev. E. j. Bonneterre came to
F1andreau, where he died two years
later. He rests in the local cemetery
together with Father Quick and his
own father and mother. On the 23rd
of March, 1915, Rev. G. E. Kelly came