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St. William's Catholic Church was built in 1948 in Ione, Oregon on land donated by Garland
Swanson, and officially dedicated on May 25, 1949 by Bishop Fahey. It was
named St. William's in honor of William Flannery and William Doherty. A
generous contribution of $5,000 was donated for construction by the
Catholic Church Extension Society in Mr. Flannery's memory. Mr. Doherty
passed away as a result of an injury sustained during the excavation of the
new church's basement. A stained glass window was placed in the church
in memory of Mr. Doherty.
00000In 1971, St. William's was a mission to the parish of St. Patrick's in Heppner and remained that until Father Dominic Hahn, OSB came in 1987. Plans were then
made to raise St. William's to a parish. Approval was granted, and on January 3, 1988, the mission became St. William's Parish.
00000Priests from Heppner have served St. William's
since it's beginning. Mass is said every Sunday at 8:45 a.m. and on Holy Days, with special
services during Lent. Religious education classes are held after Sunday
Mass for all school age children.
