PARISH HISTORY

The town of Greenwood, on the site of William's Landing, was incor­porated in 1844. The few Catholic pioneers in the area came and went. They were river pilots, merchants and farmers. Priests were far and few between in this great expanse, came now and then from other parishes, traveling up the Mississippi River from southern towns or overland by horse from northern towns in order to serve the Catholic community.

From 1874 to 1890, Greenwood was attended occasionally by a priest from Water Valley, a then thriving railroad center that had a small Irish Catholic population. Beginning in 1890, the town was served by a priest from Lexington, and Greenwood was actually a mission of Lexington. During these years, Mass was celebrated in private homes or at the Courthouse.

By 1900, Greenwood's Catholic membership had grown sufficiently to warrant the need for a church. That same year. John Schram, a devout Catholic, bought lots located on the corner of Dewey and Washington Streets and deeded the property to Bishop Heslin "to be held in trust for the Catholic congregation of Greenwood". Early in 1901, a small frame building was erected and dedicated to THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY. This little church was heated by a potbellied stove, and lit with coal oil lamps. A priest would come from Lexington once a month to say Mass.

In 1908, the church and rectory in Lexington were destroyed by fire. The Catholics of Greenwood quickly built a rectory and in 1909, they were given a resident priest, Rev. Thomas McNamara. Lexington then became a mission of Greenwood. Catholics were then able to celebrate Mass on the first, third, and fifth Sundays of each month.

Rev. McNamara was succeeded two years later by Rev. Amile Husser, who was in turn, succeeded by Father John Clerico who was appointed to Greenwood in 1912. By then, there were about 100 Catholics (26 families) in the parish boundaries.

During 1913-1914, extensive improvements were made on the building. The sanctuary was extended and work was done to both the inside and outside of the church.

In 1915, IHM Parish purchased the property to the east of the existing building from Mrs. Clara Marx. In 1916 and then in 1918, both Dewey and Washington Streets were paved, for which the parish paid a total of $600.00. By today's standards, that would come to about $50,000.

In 1923, more Catholic families moved to Greenwood and plans were made to enlarge the church and add a bell tower, a new roof, and central heating. The church was brick-veneered and electric lights were in­stalled. The ladies of the Altar Society raised money for the new organ. The co-founder of the Altar Society, Mrs. Joe Lipovac, co-founder of the Altar Society, made a wish for Christmas, hoping to have electric lights. Her Christmas wish came true, and the church glowed for Midnight Mass on Dec. 24, 1924. This Mass was said in front of the new altar donated by Msgr. Clerico in honor of his mother.

During those years, until the parish became self-supporting, substantial financial aid was obtained from the Catholic Church Extension Society.

In 1927 an assistant, Rev. James McKenna, was assigned to the parish. Catholics now had two Masses every Sunday, and the added priest provided help with the five missions in Anguilla, Belzoni, Indianola, Leland, and Lexington.

In 1936, bank funds frozen in 1930 were recovered. This made possible some improvements, including installation of a new floor covering. The church was again enlarged in 1947, at which time the part from the side doors to the high altar was added.

On October 21, 1951, there were two occasions to celebrate: the par­ish celebrated its Golden Jubilee, and Father Clerico had been designated a Domestic Prelate and was given the title of Monsignor. For this occasion, the stained glass windows were installed in the body of the church, the sanctuary was decorated with murals, and a new organ was installed.

Monsignor Clerico died on February 27, 1966, having been pastor in Greenwood for 52 years. Rev. Walter Maloney followed Msgr. Clerico, and with the assistance of the Franciscan Friars, the mission parishes were finally assigned their own pastors.

Priests who followed Rev. Maloney as pastor were: Msgr. Roland T. Winel, (only a few months) Rev. John Izral, Rev. Patrick J. Noonan, Rev. David O'Connor, Msgr. Thad Harkins, Rev. Thomas Delaney and Fr. Greg.

In 1955 approximately 5.5 acres on Barton, Walnut, and Jeff Davis Streets were purchased from Sam Gwin to be used in the further ex­pansion of the parish. On Feb. 23, 1962, Msgr. Clerico and the parish gave the City Park Commission permission to use the property as a city playground. This area was designated as Clerico Park. In March 1975, Clerico Park was sold to the City of Greenwood.

The sale of that property allowed the church building to be renovated in accord with Vatican II guidelines. A new Parish Center was built to provide adequate accommodations for parish activities, including the Sunday School classes. All this was completed for Christmas 1975, dur­ing the pastorate of Rev. Noonan. (Mass was held at the old K of C Hall on Highway 49 South during this renovation.) The Parish Center was dedicated on May 19, 1976.

In 1988, the church was again renovated. It was painted inside and outside and fully insulated. New kneelers and new carpet were installed and the pews were refinished. The Parish Center was enlarged again in , 1989 adding five more, much needed, rooms. This was done during the pastorate of Msgr. Harkins.

In 1998, Fr. Thomas Delaney became Immaculate of Heart's tenth pas­tor. A loving and generous man, Fr. Delaney continued the work of pastoring the flock of his parish, exemplifying his concern for the sick and homebound based on his experience of serving as a chaplain in both Vicksburg and Greenville.

In 2006, IHM Parish officially began extensive plans to add to and reno­vate the existing church building, and to landscape the surrounding areas. Parishioners earnestly contributed to the building fund, and the church was extensively renovated, including the addition of a new wing off the narthex of the church to provide both bathrooms and gathering space.

In 2008, Rev. Gregory Plata, OFM became IHM's 11th pastor. Fr. Greg saw the completion of the church's renovations, and soon began renova­tions on the Parish Life Center, which included a Day Chapel for daily Masses and Eucharistic Adoration. In 2009, the parish also celebrated its centennial with various liturgies and celebrations. As a member of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province of Franciscans, Fr. Greg continued a legacy of service to the people of IHM that began in 1950, when the Franciscans first arrived in Greenwood to serve the Catholic community.

Much has changed at IHM since the pioneering days of itinerant priests traveling by horseback to our parishioners receiving up to date infor­mation through the internet. But one thing has not changed. The spirit and dedication of the Catholic community to its faith and service of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is what continues to drive parishioners of Immaculate Heart of Mary forward and outward. Who would have thought on Sunday mornings, children and adults would merge in IHM's Family Life Center for meals and religious formation classes, or that Bible study, the Madonna Circle, our annual Youth Can Make A Dif­ference canned food drive, parish retreats, Eucharistic Adoration, and the popular Spaghetti Supper and Halloween Carnival would continue to enrich us and proclaim to oth­ers that the Catholic faith and our parish is alive and well in the heart of the Delta! May the good Lord continue to bless us!