About Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary · Granger, Iowa
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Roman Catholic parish in the small Dallas County town of Granger, Iowa, part of the Diocese of Des Moines. With roughly 650 registered families, it serves a wide rural swath of central Iowa — including Granger, Grimes, Woodward, Polk City, Minburn, Johnston, and Dallas Center — and offers an unusually full schedule for a parish of its size, including daily 8:00 a.m. weekday Mass, two Sunday Masses, a Saturday vigil, Eucharistic Adoration, and a robust K–12 religious education program that reaches more than 300 students each year. The parish is currently pastored by Rev. Dominic Assim, a priest from Ghana who was installed in August 2015, assisted by two deacons and a long-serving lay staff.
- Established
- 1852
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Dominic Assim
- Diocese
- Diocese of Des Moines
Why belong here
Assumption offers an unusually rich liturgical life for a rural parish, with daily 8:00 a.m. weekday Mass, two Sunday Masses (9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.), Saturday vigil, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, Tuesday-evening rosary, and a K–12 religious education program that reaches more than 300 students. Members put faith into practice through ministries such as the Social Justice Committee, the Connection Cafe (which serves meals to homeless and low-income guests in downtown Des Moines), Joppa Outreach, Christ Renews His Parish, the Knights of Columbus, and an active sister-parish relationship with Tamanique in El Salvador — including Don Justo Coffee sales supporting dirt-floor communities in Berlin, Usulután. A small, well-staffed parish office and long-tenured lay staff (many serving 10–20+ years) make it a stable place to belong.
Mass times at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday beginning at 3:30 PM (commonly listed as 4:00 PM)
- Parish Reconciliation services in December and March at 6:30 PM (with extra priests available)
- Also available by appointment — call the pastor
Adoration times
- Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration)
- 3rd Tuesday of the month 6:00 – 7:00 PM (Benediction and Adoration)
History of the Parish
Catholic life in the Granger area began in 1852 with the first Mass celebrated in a private home. The first dedicated church, St. Bridget's, opened about three miles west of Granger in 1871. In 1901 a new church was built in the town of Granger itself; that structure served the parish until it had to be closed in 1988. The present church building was completed in 1992 on the same Sycamore Street campus.
- 1852 — First Mass offered in a home in the area
- 1871 — St. Bridget's Church opens west of Granger
- 1901 — New church built in Granger
- 1926 — Msgr. Luigi Ligutti becomes pastor
- 1929 — Assumption School opens
- 1933 — Granger Homesteads established under Msgr. Ligutti
- 1966 — Assumption High School closes
- 1988 — 1901 church building closes
- 1992 — Current church building completed
- 2016 — Assumption Catholic School closes after 87 years
The Granger Homesteads and Monsignor Ligutti
In 1926 Monsignor Luigi Ligutti became pastor and quickly reshaped the parish and the wider community. He established mission churches in Zookspur, Moran, and Woodward; in 1934 he purchased St. Ann's Chapel at Moran, which became a mission of Assumption. Most significantly, in 1933 he secured a loan from the federal Subsistence Home Division to resettle roughly 50 coal-mining, immigrant families on two-to-eight-acre plots west of Granger — the Granger Homesteads. The families farmed part-time while continuing to work in nearby mines; within two years they were off government relief, with near-100% loan repayment. Ligutti also founded Assumption School in 1929 and oversaw expansions including a gymnasium, additional classrooms, and a modern convent for the Franciscan Sisters who taught there. He is buried in Beaver Catholic Cemetery.
- Established mission churches in Zookspur, Moran, and Woodward
- Founded Assumption School in 1929
- Secured federal Subsistence Home Division loan (1933) for the Granger Homesteads
- Purchased St. Ann's Chapel at Moran (1934) as a mission parish
Assumption Catholic School
Assumption School opened in 1929 under Monsignor Ligutti and educated both elementary and secondary students for decades, taught first by the Sisters of Mercy and later by the Franciscan Sisters, who continued teaching at the school for many years. The high school program closed in 1966, but the elementary school continued. After a six-month study of the school's position, Bishop Richard Pates of the Diocese of Des Moines announced the closure of Assumption Catholic School in March 2016; the school closed at the end of the school year on May 25, 2016, after 87 years of operation. The parish continues to provide K–12 religious education to more than 300 students annually through its Catechesis program.
- Opened in 1929 by Msgr. Luigi Ligutti
- High school closed in 1966
- Taught by Sisters of Mercy, later Franciscan Sisters
- Closed May 25, 2016 after 87 years
Beaver Catholic Cemetery
Beaver Catholic Cemetery is owned by Assumption Church and serves as the historic burial ground for Granger-area Catholics. Land for the original cemetery was donated in the late 1800s; the cemetery was moved to its current location in 1902. Monsignor Luigi Ligutti is among those buried there. A Memorial Day Mass is celebrated at the cemetery each year (typically the last Monday of May at 9:00 AM), relocating to the church in case of heavy rain.
- Original land donated in the late 1800s
- Relocated to current site in 1902
- Annual Memorial Day Mass at the cemetery (9:00 AM)
Parish Staff and Clergy
Assumption is staffed by Pastor Rev. Dominic Assim, two deacons — Deacon Tom Schenk and Deacon Dennis Wright — and a long-tenured lay staff. Director of Religious Education Cathy Davidson has served K–12 faith formation since 1995 and holds a Master Catechist certificate from the Diocese of Des Moines. Church Secretary Brenda Erps has been on staff since July 2002. Music Director Lori Ancona joined the staff in 2018, and accountant Shannon Stokes joined in 2017. Anita Meiners, retired from Wells Fargo after 35 years, also serves on staff. Deacon Tom Schenk, ordained August 2010, directs Adult Faith Formation and coordinates a remarkable breadth of parish life including the Liturgy Committee, Vocations Committee, Stewardship Committee, Social Justice, Connection Cafe, Building and Grounds, Adult Faith Formation, the RCIA team, and Joppa Outreach; he has been an Assumption parishioner since 1978 and a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus since 1972.
- Rev. Dominic Assim — Pastor (since August 8, 2015)
- Deacon Tom Schenk — Director of Adult Faith Formation (ordained 2010; parishioner since 1978)
- Deacon Dennis Wright
- Cathy Davidson — Director of Religious Education, K–12 (since 1995)
- Brenda Erps — Church Secretary (since July 2002)
- Lori Ancona — Music Director (since 2018)
- Shannon Stokes — Accountant (since 2017)
- Anita Meiners — staff
Rev. Dominic Assim — Pastor
Fr. Dominic Assim was welcomed as pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish on August 8, 2015. A native of Ghana, he studied philosophy at St. Paul's Major Seminary in Accra (1997–2000) and theology at St. Peter's Regional Seminary in Cape Coast (2000–2004), graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in theology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of Cape Coast. He was ordained a priest on August 7, 2004, and served two years as parochial vicar at St. Gabriel's Co-Cathedral Parish, Konongo (Diocese of Konongo-Mampong), then six years as pastor of St. Andrew's Parish at Juaso — a parish comprising seventeen mission churches. From 2012 to 2015 he earned a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, while doing voluntary pastoral work at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Edina.
- Born and formed in Ghana
- Ordained August 7, 2004
- M.A. in Counseling Psychology, University of St. Thomas
- Installed as Assumption pastor August 8, 2015
Mass and Worship Schedule
Assumption offers an unusually full schedule for a rural parish. Saturday vigil Mass is at 5:00 PM, and Sunday Masses are at 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM, with a Friday-evening Mass at 5:30 PM during Lent (preceded by Stations of the Cross at 5:00 PM). On the first Saturday of the month there is an additional 8:00 AM Mass unless otherwise noted. The liturgical year is marked by special services: Ash Wednesday Mass, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday Easter Vigil at 7:45 PM, Easter Sunday at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM (no Sunday evening Mass), the Immaculate Conception (December 8, Holy Day of Obligation) at 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM, All Souls Day, Thanksgiving Day, and the Memorial Day Mass at Beaver Catholic Cemetery.
- Saturday vigil: 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM
- Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM
- Friday in Lent: 5:30 PM Mass after 5:00 PM Stations
- First Saturday: 8:00 AM (most months)
Faith Formation and Catechesis
Although Assumption Catholic School closed in 2016, the parish maintains a robust Catechesis program reaching more than 300 K–12 students each year. Cathy Davidson has directed Religious Education for Kindergarten through 12th grade since 1995, holds a Master Catechist certificate from the Diocese of Des Moines, and serves as a Minister of Eucharist, Lector, MC, and sacristan. Deacon Tom Schenk directs Adult Faith Formation (since 2010) and writes a weekly 'Know Your Catholic Faith' catechetical series. The RCIA catechesis team also includes Deacon Tom as a member.
- Catechesis program for K–12 (300+ students annually)
- Adult Faith Formation led by Deacon Tom Schenk
- RCIA team available for those entering the Church
- Weekly 'Know Your Catholic Faith' catechetical series
Parish Ministries and Outreach
Assumption's parish life is shaped by an unusually broad set of ministries that combine liturgical service, social outreach, and global solidarity. Liturgical ministries (Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Gift Bearers, Music) are filled by parishioners. The Social Justice Committee promotes Catholic social teaching through prayer, education, and action. The parish supports the Food Bank of Iowa, partners with Joppa Outreach (a 501(c)(3) working to ease homelessness), and runs a Connection Cafe ministry that helps serve meals five days a week to homeless and low-income individuals in downtown Des Moines — a program that, as of 2011, served 38,675 meals through more than 2,150 volunteers. The parish also supports Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) weekends, the Knights of Columbus, and Vacation Bible School.
- Liturgical Ministries — Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Gift Bearers
- Social Justice Committee
- Food Pantry / Food Bank of Iowa partnership
- Joppa Outreach
- Connection Cafe (Des Moines meal program)
- Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP)
- Knights of Columbus — Assumption Council
- Vacation Bible School
- Art & Environment Committee
- Buildings and Grounds Committee
- Stewardship Committee
Tamanique Sister Parish and Don Justo Coffee
Assumption maintains a sister-parish relationship with Tamanique, a municipality of about 5,000 people in the La Libertad department of El Salvador, roughly 17 miles northwest of Puerto La Libertad. The community is known for coffee growing and avocado trees. Through this relationship the parish promotes Don Justo Coffee, which supports dirt-floor communities in the Berlin, Usulután area of El Salvador.
- Sister Parish: Tamanique, La Libertad, El Salvador
- Don Justo Coffee program supporting Berlin, Usulután
Ghana Church Project
In addition to its El Salvador sister parish, Assumption supports a Ghana Church Project, reflecting Fr. Dominic Assim's heritage and ongoing ties to his home country. Details of the project are featured on the parish website.
- Ghana Church Project — connection to Fr. Dominic's home country
Stewardship and Parish Life
The parish frames its stewardship with Psalm 116:12 — 'How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?' — and invites parishioners to build a strong, vibrant Assumption community. The parish hosts an annual Vendor & Craft Fair and other events that bring parishioners together across the Granger, Grimes, Woodward, Polk City, Minburn, Johnston, and Dallas Center communities it serves.
- Psalm 116:12 as stewardship theme
- Annual Assumption Vendor & Craft Fair
- Welcomes returning Catholics
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Gaul
Listed among the earliest pastors serving the Granger-area parish.
- Father Monihan
Early pastor; mentioned in parish historical records.
- Father Toner
Early pastor.
- Father Harney
First pastor of the church in Beaver (mission of Assumption).
- Father Hallinan
Early pastor.
- Father Malone
Succeeded by Father Moran in 1905.
- Father Moran1905–
Succeeded Father Malone in 1905; served into the 1920s.
- Monsignor Luigi Ligutti1926–
Long-serving, transformative pastor; established mission churches in Zookspur, Moran, and Woodward; founded Assumption School in 1929; secured federal loan for the Granger Homesteads resettling coal-mining families.
- Father Leto
Successor pastor.
- Father Lawler
Successor pastor.
- Father Wayne Gubbles
Predecessor to current pastor.
- Rev. Dominic Assim2015–present
Installed as pastor on August 8, 2015; previously served parishes in Ghana and earned an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas.