About St. John LeLand

In early 1952, Fr. Mel Newman of St. Mary in Adair said the first Mass in Memphis in a private home. For the next five years, through the hard work of the people and encouragement of their pastor, an upper room on the square was secured for the fledgling community.

In 1955, Bishop Cody gave permission to buy land and build a church. In 1957, with the creation of a new diocese headed by Bishop Marling, the Memphis church was built and consecrated as St. John LeLand Church.

Prompted by fire, Mass was celebrated in 2000 on Easter Sunday in a newly renovated church.