About Basilica of Saint John · Des Moines, Iowa
The Basilica of Saint John is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and parish church in the Drake neighborhood of Des Moines, Iowa, in the Diocese of Des Moines. Established in 1905, the parish built its present Indiana-limestone church between 1913 and 1927 in a Lombard Romanesque Revival style designed by the Boston firm of Maginnis & Walsh. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 and elevated to the status of minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1989, one of only a handful of minor basilicas in the state of Iowa.
- Established
- 1905
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Aquinas M. Nichols (Rector/Pastor; retiring Jan 5, 2026 — Very Rev. Trevor Chicoine appointed Parochial Administrator effective Jan 5, 2026)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Des Moines
Why belong here
The Basilica of Saint John offers the liturgical richness of a minor basilica — a designation granted by the Pope in 1989 — in an historic, Indiana-limestone Romanesque sanctuary. It sustains a daily Eucharistic schedule (Monday–Friday noon Mass, Saturday morning Mass, and a Sunday vigil), two weekday periods of Eucharistic Adoration, regular Saturday confessions, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), a Religious Education program for children preparing for First Eucharist, an active Hispanic Ministry, the long-standing Altar and Rosary Society, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Pro-Life Committee, and a full worship/liturgy corps of lectors, servers, choir, and livestream operators. It is a strong fit for those who want traditional Catholic worship, historic architecture, daily Mass, and a wide range of parish ministries and devotions rooted in more than a century of parish life on Des Moines's north side.
Mass times at Basilica of Saint John
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Monday 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
- Wednesday 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
History of the Basilica of Saint John
The parish was established in 1905 by Bishop Henry Cosgrove of the Diocese of Davenport, with territory taken from Saint Ambrose Parish. Rev. Daniel F. Mulvihill directed the purchase of sixteen lots on University Avenue that summer. A brick school with a second-floor chapel was the first building; the first Mass was celebrated there on Christmas Day, 1905. In August 1913 the basement of the present church was completed and used as the church until the upper church was constructed. The cornerstone for the upper church, designed by Maginnis & Walsh of Boston, was laid on September 19, 1926, and Bishop Thomas W. Drumm solemnly dedicated the finished church on December 4, 1927. The baldachin and high altar were added in 1929. Saint John's was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, and on October 4, 1989, Pope John Paul II elevated the church to the status of minor basilica; Bishop William H. Bullock presided at the basilica's solemn dedication on December 31, 1989.
- Parish established 1905 by Bishop Henry Cosgrove, Diocese of Davenport
- Lots purchased June 7, 1905 ($8,000) and July 20, 1905 ($1,375) on University Avenue
- First Mass celebrated Christmas Day 1905 in the second-floor chapel of the new school
- 1913 basement of present church completed under Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson design
- Upper church cornerstone laid September 19, 1926; church dedicated December 4, 1927 by Bishop Thomas W. Drumm
- Baldachin and high altar added 1929 (also by Maginnis & Walsh)
- Stained-glass windows installed 1947–1953 by the Conrad Pickel Studio (Waukesha, WI)
- Fires: February 18, 1961 and February 6, 1970 — no serious structural damage
- First vernacular Mass in the Diocese celebrated at St. John's in 1964 by Msgr. Edward Pfeffer
- Altar of celebration (made in Italy) consecrated June 5, 1983
- 1983 east addition by Higgins, Shirk & Colvig, connecting church to rectory, with handicap access
- Added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 8, 1987 (NRHP #87001497)
- Elevated to a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II on October 4, 1989
- Solemnly dedicated as a basilica by Bishop William H. Bullock on December 31, 1989
- Designated a Jubilee Church in 2016 and in 2025
Architecture & Sacred Art
The basilica is a basilica-form plan in the Lombard Romanesque Revival style. Maginnis & Walsh of Boston drew up the design — informed by their own St. Catherine's Church in Somerville, Massachusetts and the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome — with John Normile as the local supervising architect and Charles W. Wietz' Sons as contractor. The exterior is Indiana limestone; the building measures 138 feet long by 80 feet wide and seats 900. Stained-glass work throughout the nave and clerestory is by the Conrad Pickel Studio of Waukesha, Wisconsin, with additional windows added in the 1983 east addition. The baldachin and high altar above the sanctuary were designed by Maginnis & Walsh and added in 1929. The Italian-made altar of celebration was consecrated on June 5, 1983.
- Style: Lombard Romanesque Revival, basilica-form plan
- Architect: Maginnis & Walsh (Boston)
- Local supervising architect: John Normile
- Contractor: Charles W. Wietz' Sons
- Exterior: Indiana limestone
- Dimensions: 138 ft (length) × 80 ft (width)
- Seating capacity: 900
- Original construction cost (1927): $480,000
- Stained glass: Conrad Pickel Studio (Waukesha, WI) — 10 nave + 36 clerestory windows, 1947–1953
- Baldachin and high altar: Maginnis & Walsh, 1929
- Altar of celebration: made in Italy, consecrated June 5, 1983
- 1983 east addition: Higgins, Shirk & Colvig (Des Moines)
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Faith Formation is led by Margaret Stastny, Director of Faith Formation (and OCIA / Adult Faith Formation / Catechetical Leader). Children preparing for First Eucharist and First Reconciliation must complete two consecutive years of Religious Education (or transfer in with one year of prior RE at another parish or Catholic school), and must be at least in grade two. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) begins the second week of September and walks inquirers, catechumens, and candidates through the Period of Evangelization, the Rite of Acceptance, the catechumenate, the Rite of Election at the cathedral, Lenten purification, the Easter Vigil Sacraments of Initiation, and post-baptismal mystagogy. A free parish subscription to FORMED.org is offered as an on-demand Catholic faith resource.
- Director of Faith Formation: Margaret Stastny (515-244-3101, ext. 204; [email protected])
- OCIA (RCIA) — class begins second week of September
- First Eucharist / First Reconciliation — minimum grade 2; two-year RE prerequisite
- Religious Education (Wednesday night) for children
- Vacation Bible School (VBS) — teacher/helper opportunities
- Bible Study and Adult Faith Formation
- FORMED.org parish subscription — on-demand Catholic content
Parish Ministries & Organizations
The parish sustains a wide range of lay-led ministries covering worship, formation, outreach, fundraising, and community life. Highlights include the long-standing Altar and Rosary Society (supporting altar linens, vestments, flowers, the boiler, the dome restoration, the Memorial Garden, the elevator, and the obelisk relocation), the Knights of Columbus, the St. Vincent de Paul Society (Angel Tree, Thanksgiving baskets, St. Joseph Shelter meals), the Pro-Life Committee (40 Days for Life, March for Life), the Hispanic/Latino Ministry, the Benedictine Oblates, the Divine Mercy Committee, the Welcome Committee, the Pastoral Care to Parishioners ministry (homebound visits, prayer chain, transport to Mass), the Corporal Works of Mercy Committee, the Troops of St. George, the Sunday Coffee & Donuts team, the Building & Grounds Committee, and the Fundraising Committee (Fish Fry, Annual Raffle, Foundation Dinner, Seder meal).
- Altar and Rosary Society
- Knights of Columbus
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Pro-Life Committee
- Hispanic/Latino Ministry (contact: Elvia Garza, 515-672-7047)
- Benedictine Oblates
- Divine Mercy Committee
- Welcome Committee
- Pastoral Care to Parishioners
- Corporal Works of Mercy Committee
- Troops of St. George (dads & boys)
- Fundraising Committee (Fish Fry, Annual Raffle, Seder Meal, Foundation Dinner)
- Building & Grounds Committee
- Evangelization Team (small groups)
Worship & Liturgy
The parish worship corps includes lectors, altar servers, the parish choir (which has received 50 new robes thanks to the Altar and Rosary Society), a youth choir, Eucharistic Adoration volunteers, ushers, and a livestream/video team. The parish also runs a Tours of the Basilica program for visitors who want to see the architecture, stained glass, baldachin, and high altar up close. Masses are livestreamed and archived on the parish's YouTube channel.
- Lectors
- Altar Servers
- Choir (parish choir and youth choir)
- Ushers
- Eucharistic Adoration volunteers
- Livestream / Video Operator team
- Tours of the Basilica
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Very Rev. Aquinas M. Nichols, Pastor (Rector) — retiring effective January 5, 2026, when Very Rev. Trevor Chicoine will be installed as the new Pastor/Parochial Administrator. He is assisted by four deacons — Rev. Mr. Mark Campbell (also serving as Youth Minister), Rev. Mr. Steve Tatz, Rev. Mr. Quan Tong, and Rev. Mr. Luke Tieskoetter (retired) — and a lay staff headed by Charles Stastny (Business Manager / Director of Operations) and Barb Kean (Pastor's Secretary / Office Manager). Other key staff include Karen Hoff (Bookkeeper), Pamela Meis (Office Assistant), Margaret Stastny (Director of Faith Formation / Adult Faith Formation / OCIA), Adam Ullerich (Director of Music per the 2025–26 diocesan directory), Elvia Garza (Hispanic Ministry), and Laura Chicchelly (Altar & Rosary Society).
- Very Rev. Aquinas M. Nichols — Pastor/Rector (retiring Jan 5, 2026)
- Very Rev. Trevor Chicoine — incoming Parochial Administrator (Jan 5, 2026)
- Rev. Mr. Mark Campbell — Deacon; Youth Minister
- Rev. Mr. Steve Tatz — Deacon
- Rev. Mr. Quan Tong — Deacon
- Rev. Mr. Luke Tieskoetter — Deacon (retired)
- Charles Stastny — Business Manager / Director of Operations
- Barb Kean — Pastor's Secretary / Office Manager
- Karen Hoff — Bookkeeper
- Pamela Meis — Office Assistant
- Margaret Stastny — Director of Faith Formation / OCIA
- Adam Ullerich — Director of Music (2025–26 diocesan directory)
- Elvia Garza — Hispanic Ministry
- Laura Chicchelly — Altar & Rosary Society contact
Diocese of Des Moines
The parish belongs to the Diocese of Des Moines, which was created in 1911 (separated from the Diocese of Davenport). The current diocesan bishop is Most Rev. William Joensen, Ph.D. The basilica is listed in the diocese's parish directory and in diocesan liturgical and appointment announcements, including the announcement of the January 5, 2026 pastoral transition from Very Rev. Aquinas M. Nichols to Very Rev. Trevor Chicoine.
- Diocese: Des Moines (established 1911)
- Diocesan Bishop: Most Rev. William Joensen, Ph.D.
- Diocesan website: https://www.dmdiocese.org
- Parish participates in the Annual Diocesan Appeal (ADA)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Daniel F. Mulvihill1905–
Founding pastor; directed the 1905 purchase of lots on University Avenue.
- Rev. Martin S. McNamara
Pastor during construction of the present church; insisted on Indiana limestone and was instrumental in engaging Maginnis & Walsh. Previously responsible for All Saints Church in Stuart, Iowa (also Maginnis & Walsh).
