the bell tower during the pastorate of the Rev. Thomas King (1889–1909). During the pastorate of the Rev. Edward Gaule (1909–1917) a new sanctuary with new altars was added to the church. The new bell tower, the third one constructed on this site, was added at this time as well. An addition was added onto the rectory when the Rev. John J. Moriarity (1917–1922) was the pastor. The Rev. James M. Ryan (1922–1927) added stucco to the exterior of the church during his pastorate. In 1885 Bishop Henry Cosgrove assigned the Rev. James Davis as the pastor. He was an Irish immigrant who came to the Dubuque Diocese shortly after his ordination in 1878. At the time, St. Joseph's in Parnell was a mission to St. Michael's, and Davis built both the school and church there. He also built the front part of the present rectory in Holbrook. Four years later he was transferred to St. Margaret's Cathedral in Davenport. He would be the cathedral's rector and direct the construction of the new Sacred Heart Cathedral. The people of Holbrook considered the transfer a demotion seeing as St. Margaret's was a smaller parish. Father Davis went on to become coadjutor bishop in 1904 and then Bishop of Davenport in 1906. As the 20th century progressed the rural population of Iowa decreased, and the Holbrook area was no different. Toward the end of the century St. Michael's was clustered with other parishes in the area and served by a single priest. Finally, on March 28, 1996, Bishop William Franklin announced in The Catholic Messenger that St. Michael's would close by the end of June. In a little over a century St. Michael's went from being “the largest and best parish in the diocese” to closing. Rev. Richard Okumu of St. Peter's parish in Cosgrove was placed in charge of pastoral management for corporate affairs. The parish buildings were sold to the Friends of St. Michael's, who are now responsible for their upkeep. Ancient Order of Hibernians Hall The Hibernian Hall was built in 1899 by the local chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. It was deeded to the parish corporation in 1948 and was renamed St. Michael's Parish Hall. It is a 1½-story frame structure that sits to the west of the church. The building is covered in clapboard and it is capped with a gableed roof. The round-arch windows