Let's focus on a church residents of Clarkdale pass by nearly daily, St. Cecelia's Mission Church.  This was NOT the first Catholic Church built in the Verde Valley, but Jerome's Holy Family Catholic Church takes this honor.  Both churches were missions of the Tucson Diocese, led by priests of the Claretian Order founded in Spain in 1849. The property St. Cecelia's is on, was leased by the Bishop of Tucson, Bishop Henry Granjon, in 1920. The Wm. Simpson Construction Company of Los Angeles, CA, began construction shortly thereafter. 

St. Cecelia's beautiful building appears much the same as it did when first built. The Rectory addition was accomplished by Father Phillip Rieser in the mid 1950's.  Father Rieser, known as "The Builder", assisted in the construction of many of the Catholic churches in Yavapai County. He also had a St. Patrick's Day carnival each year.  It had bingo, a cake walk, and a small fishing pond for the children, which brought in a lot of money in the 1960's. Each mission was totally self-supporting to support the priest, all building expenses, such as heat, electricity and water. Reverend Raymond Gillis served in the early 1970's who is remembered as being a very austere man, who denied himself food and often slept on the floor.

In July of 1977, Reverend Michael Hurley was appointed. Known as Father Mike, he is remembered with joy from all who knew him. He hailed from Chicago and enjoyed a drink, a smoke and a good laugh. Ruth Wicks is quoted, "The best thing about Father Mike was his short sermons!" Another story she shared, "Around 1985, the Mingus High School graduation ceremony was threatened by heavy spring rain (This was usually held outside).  Ron Barber, MUHS Superintendent, reportedly handed $10 to Lupe Uribe, the maintenance supervisor and a member of St. Cecelia's, who told Father MIke to use his influence to control the weather. The rain held off until just after the graduates left the field."

Father Mike retired in 2002 which precipitated the closure of this beloved church. The lack of available priests and the construction of the new Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception on Highway 89A were factors in the decision.  St. Cecelia's again began celebrating mass about 20 years ago with Reverend Salgado, who rolled up his sleeves and evicted the rodents who had commandeered the building. Currently, St. Cecelia's offers daily Latin mass and on Sundays at 9:00 offered by Father Stinson.

submitted by Cindy Emmett - Clarkdale Historical Society and Museum

contact info@clarkdalemuseum.org for questions or comments