The monthly meeting of the Northwest Iowa Genealogical Society will be held on Saturday, September 20th at 1:30 PM in the fourth-floor study hall of the Plymouth County Historical Museum, 335 1st Avenue SW in Le Mars. Following the introductions and a brief business meeting, former Le Mars Community High teacher Kay Luckett will give a presentation on the history of the town’s historic Saint George’s Episcopal Church.
Built in 1881 to meet the needs of the then-growing population of British immigrants, St. George’s was consecrated the following year. Owing to its intrinsic ties to the area’s notable English settlers, the Close Brothers Colony, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. When Le Mars honored the church’s centennial year in 1981, the town commemorated Britain’s Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee (of 1887). Then, following nearly a century and a half of serving a congregation, St. George’s finally stopped functioning as a church in 2024. Nonetheless, the building at 401 First Avenue SE still stands. During her talk, Luckett will fill in the fascinating details of all that transpired during those many years.
Now known affectionately as “Miss Luckett” by scores of Plymouth County residents, Kay spent her youth in Omaha and then Sioux City. Her father was a Sioux City St. Thomas Episcopal Church official, lending her a strong connection with the religion. After earning a master’s degree in history and English at the University of South Dakota, she began her career as a teacher in 1963, retiring in 2000. Thirty-one of those years was at Le Mars Community. Now actively involved in a number of local organizations, she was one of the few remaining contributing members of St. George’s when it closed. Needless to say, her program will incorporate historical facts with precious memories.
The public is welcome to attend this event, and there is no charge for admission. Refreshments will be served. Undoubtedly, there will be visitors coming to see “Miss Luckett,” and to learn about the building now the oldest still-standing house of worship that once served Le Mars.