The first Catholic pioneers left no written records, but we know that in 1858 Father Michael Prendergast of Winona offered the first Mass in the Arthur McNally home, northwest of Grand Meadow, while on a missionary journey between Austin and Winona. The McNallys later donated land for the Saint Finbarr Cemetery. From 1861-1865, Father George Keller said Mass periodically in the Grand Meadow area.
By 1878, a small parish had formed and in 1879 Father Arthur Hurley, pastor of Saint Augustine, Austin, helped a committee of men acquire land on the south edge of town. A small wooden church was built at a cost of $2000 and named Saint Finbarr, reflecting the many Irish settlers in the area. Father John Sullivan succeeded Father Hurley at Saint Augustine Parish with Saint Finbarr as a mission parish for many years. Pastors who served Saint Finbarr Parish from 1890-1946 were: Fathers Michael Smyth, James Coyne, Patrick McTeague, Patrick O’Dwyer, J. Mattson, Mark Halper, Leo Gossman, Alois Gmeinder, Patrick McCusker, Philip Matthews, Ambrose Layne, Donald Cunningham, and Daniel Corcoran.
By 1920, the parish had grown. Under the direction of Father Mccusker, the church was rebuilt, enlarged and raised upon a new foundation. It took several years for this project to be completed with a bell installed in the belfry.
Father John Graf became the first resident pastor in 1946 and a residence on North Main Street was purchased and furnished as a rectory. Father David Ryszka served from 1951-1954 and Monsignor Raymond Galligan was appointed in 1954 and served until he retired in 1969. Father Robert Kulas served 1969-1970 and Father Aloys Quillin from 1970 until his death in 1975.
With his death, Saint Finbarr became a mission parish again, served by Father Vernon Schaefer, the “flying priest,” of Saint Patrick Parish, LeRoy. The rectory was sold in October 1975. At this time the church needed a number of repairs and in 1976 the parish voted to build a new single level church with a social hall. The stained glass windows that are now on the south wall of Saint Finbarr Parish, were brought from the old church along with the stained glass that is inside the church sign in front of the church.
The bell was moved into the new bell tower. The Stations of the Cross, Blessed Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph statues were refurbished and are in place in the new church along with the altar that now holds the tabernacle. The dedication of the new church and the centennial anniversary celebration was held on June 18, 1978.
Father James Dandelet became pastor in 1980 and in 1986 Father Charles Collins arrived. During Father Collins’ assignment, five classrooms and an office were added to the church & social hall in 1988-1989. Father Robert Kulas returned from 1989-1995, Father Matthew Vanissery following from 1995-1997.
In 1997, Saint Finbarr Parish became part of a three parish cluster which included Saint Patrick Parish in LeRoy and Saint Ignatius Parish in Spring Valley with Father Russell Scepaniak serving as pastor from 1997-2003. Since that time Saint Ignatius Parish has been home to our pastors. Father Steven Peterson served as pastor from 2003-2012, followed by Father Marreddy Pothireddy from 2012-2024. Father Gregory Parrott is currently pastor and is shepherd to 102 families.