Early pioneer Catholics in Calhoun County first attended Mass at St. Patrick on the Lizard. In 1880 Catholic families in Manson organized St. Thomas Church which claims the distinction of being the oldest Catholic church in Calhoun County. Father Thomas Lenihan, who later became Bishop of Cheyenne, Wyoming, came once a month and said Mass in the home of Jerry Mallahan for three years until construction of the church began. That house is now owned by the James Cunningham family.

Land for the church was purchased in 1883 from Mrs. A. Kautz and construction began.

The first marriage took place on Nov. 9, 1885, uniting Matthew J. Foley and Mary Clark. The church was not complete at this time.

In 1890 Archbishop Henneseey of Dubuque appointed Father W.C. Daily, pastor, with missions in Barnum and Pomeroy. Under his pastorate the rectory was built and land purchased for a cemetery.

Father McAuliffe was appointed pastor in 1902. During his pastorate the rectory was moved and renovated, a sanctuary, sacristy and belfry were added to the exterior of the church and a choir loft, metal ceilings and stained glass windows were added to the interior.

Church records until 1902 were destroyed by fire. The first Baptism of record was Agnes Booge, daughter of Francis and Frances Debener Booge on Oct. 26, 1902. The first funeral was Anna Lang, wife of Anton Lang, on Oct. 21, 1903. The Sacrament of Confirmation was administered the first time Sept. 20, 1903 by the first bishop of the Sioux City Diocese, Rt. Rev. Phillip J. Garrigan. D.D. 

Father Bernard 'Reilly was appointed pastor in July 1908 and had the first class of communicants on June 20, 1909. 

In May of 1919 Father C.P. Sweeney was appointed pastor and during his time the rectory was remodeled and a garage added. Parish indebtedness was paid up.

Father Lynch came in 1922 and he had the church redecorated and Stations of the Cross erected.

Father A.J. Nuel followed in 1932 and the sacristy was made into a Winter Chapel for weekday Masses.

In 1936 Father James Greteman became pastor. During his stay the rectory was refurbished and redecorated. An oak floor was installed in the church and oak pews, the interior redecorated and the exterior painted.

Father O.A. Dentlinger became pastor on May 8, 1945. An electric bell system was installed and a new confessional built.

Father C.A. Knobbe became pastor in 1952. Improvements to the church were, a new main altar, side altars and furnace, also improvements to the rectory. The Ebersole and Langenwalter property were purchased to the north for future needs.

In August, 1956 Father Charles Kniep came. During his time our present church was built with a social hall and classrooms. The church was completed in 1966 with seating for 402.

Father David McGoey became pastor in April of 1969 and served until 1971. Father Al McCoy served from 1971 to 1972.

Father John Turza came in 1972 and our new rectory was built. He also offered the use of our church to the Mennonite congregation when their church was destroyed in the 1979 tornado.

Father Elmer Thom was appointed pastor in 1979 and had the church re-shingled. He also updated the CCD program and the program used at Twin Lakes Bible Camp. He directed the plans for the parish to celebrate our 100th birthday in August of 1985.

Father Jerome Koenig became pastor in June 1985 and resigned for health reasons in 1987.

Father Roger Linnan became pastor and served until June 1989. The RCIA program was begun under his direction.

Father Robert McClintock came in June 1989. The church was remodeled adding a Eucharistic Chapel, reconciliation room, storage rooms, new carpet and lights in the church and also a renovation of the sanctuary. The parish hall was painted, the classrooms carpeted and our parking lot is now a paved surface. New programs begun were ReMembering, updated RCIA and many parish devotions. Father McClintock led the parish in the Clustering process with Pomeroy-Palmer.

Father Jerome Degen became pastor in June 1996 until 2001 and left early due to health issues.

Father Dale George became pastor in 2001 until 2003, he was known for his 5 love words. I Love You, I’m Sorry, Forgive Me, Please and Thank You.

Father Richard Ries became pastor in 2002 until 2012, it was during this time that St. Thomas clustered with Rockwell City and Pomery in 2009.

Father Brian Danner became pastor in 2012 until 2016. Father Danner led parishioners on a trip to visit their Sister Parish, Immaculate Conception, in Mississippi.

Father David Esquillano became pastor in 2016 until 2017, his term was short as he then left to study in Rome.

Father Lynn Bruch became pastor at Manson in 2017 until the present when St. Thomas clustered with St. Mary in Lake City and the church continued to share a priest with St. Francis in Rockwell City. The main body of the church was remodeled in 2020. In August of 2021 a “Back to Mass” picnic was held following closures during covid, the theme was “Bloom Where You Are Planted” with a mural by Noel Blair of Lake City painted in the church hall. The “Back to Mass” picnic has continued to be an annual event to welcome families back for the new school year.

Father Brian Feller came to Calhoun Catholic Parishes in July of 2023 as Associate Pastor.