About Holy Family Parish - Sacred Heart Church · Fort Madison, Iowa
Holy Family Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Fort Madison, Iowa, formed in 2009 by the merger of Saints Mary and Joseph Parish with Sacred Heart Parish, both of which are still maintained as worship sites. Belonging to the Diocese of Davenport, the parish also retains St. Joseph Church in nearby Montrose, Iowa, as a third worship location. The parish describes itself as a 'Loving, Caring, Sharing Faith Community' that celebrates the Eucharist together across these historic church buildings, with daily and weekend Masses, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation for all ages, youth ministry, and a Ministry of Care that brings Communion to the homebound and hospitalized.
- Established
- 2009
- Patron
- Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Rev. Gary Beckman
- Diocese
- Diocese of Davenport
Why belong here
Holy Family Parish welcomes Catholics and newcomers across three worship sites — Sacred Heart Church, Ss. Mary & Joseph Church in Fort Madison, and St. Joseph Church in Montrose — with daily and weekend Masses, Saturday and Sunday confessions, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a monthly Holy Hour for Vocations. A strong Faith Formation program and Youth Ministry serve students from 2nd through 12th grade with Bible studies and gatherings at McAleer Hall, while the Ministry of Care brings Holy Communion to the homebound, to those in Fort Madison care facilities, and to Catholics admitted to the hospital three times a week. With its commitment to meaningful worship, fostering community, celebrating family, and outreach to the poor, Holy Family offers a tangible way to celebrate, live, and pass on the Catholic faith in southeast Iowa.
Mass times at Holy Family Parish - Sacred Heart Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm at Sacred Heart Church
- Sunday: 30 minutes prior to Mass
- By appointment with Fr. Beckman via the parish office at 319-372-2127
Adoration times
- Friday: 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm at Sacred Heart Church
- First Friday of the month: Holy Hour for Vocations 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- Friday of the month (alternative listing): Adoration 2:00 - 6:00 pm; First Fridays Adoration 2:00 - 5:00 pm with Holy Hour for Vocations 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Parish Identity & Heritage
Holy Family Parish was formed in 2009 by the merger of Sacred Heart Parish and Saints Mary and Joseph Parish, and today retains three worship sites: Sacred Heart Church, Ss. Mary & Joseph Church (formerly St. Mary of the Assumption), and St. Joseph Church in Montrose. The parish sits within the Diocese of Davenport, whose bishop is Most Rev. Dennis G. Walsh, and it traces its roots to the very beginning of Catholic life in Fort Madison in 1840. The parish describes itself as a 'Loving, Caring, Sharing Faith Community' whose goal is to 'Celebrate, live, nurture, and pass on the Catholic faith.'
- Formed 2009 from merger of Sacred Heart + Saints Mary & Joseph
- Three worship sites: Sacred Heart, Ss. Mary & Joseph, and St. Joseph (Montrose)
- Part of the Diocese of Davenport
- Roots in Fort Madison Catholic community dating to 1840
History of Holy Family Parish
Catholic life in Fort Madison began in 1840 with the founding of the first St. Joseph's church by a pastor with five families. Sacred Heart Parish — the third parish in town — was established in 1893 in the Santa Fe neighborhood near the Santa Fe Railroad yards. It began with 65 families and 54 students, with the Sisters of Humility from St. Joseph running the school. In 1897, Henry Heying donated land and cash to build a larger church, whose cornerstone was laid on April 16, 1899 and which was dedicated on October 15, 1900. As Fort Madison's population and the number of priests declined in the late 20th century, the diocese consolidated parishes under Bishop Gerald O'Keefe: St. Joseph's and St. Mary's merged in 1996 as Saints Mary and Joseph, and in 2009 Saints Mary and Joseph merged with Sacred Heart to form Holy Family Parish.
- First Catholic presence in Fort Madison: 1840
- Sacred Heart Parish founded 1893 with Rev. Peter Hoffman
- Sacred Heart Church cornerstone laid April 16, 1899; dedicated October 15, 1900
- Ss. Mary & Joseph formed 1996 from merger of St. Joseph's and St. Mary's
- Holy Family Parish formed 2009 by merger of Ss. Mary & Joseph with Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart Church — Architecture & History
The present Sacred Heart Church building is Romanesque Revival in style, measuring 145 by 60 feet, with a Bedford-stone exterior, a corner tower and spire, a statue of the Sacred Heart on the peak of the front gable, and three bells in the tower weighing 7,000, 5,500, and 3,000 pounds. The interior has three naves; the old altars were removed after the Second Vatican Council, and a pipe organ remains in the rear gallery. The parish also established Sacred Heart Cemetery in 1909, and in 1912 Sacred Heart Hospital was built adjacent to the parish property by the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis of East Peoria, Illinois.
- Romanesque Revival, dedicated October 15, 1900
- Bedford stone exterior, corner tower and spire
- Three tower bells: 7,000 / 5,500 / 3,000 lbs
- Sacred Heart Cemetery established 1909
- Sacred Heart Hospital founded 1912 (became Fort Madison Community Hospital in 1977)
Ss. Mary & Joseph Church
The former St. Mary of the Assumption Church, now known as Ss. Mary & Joseph Church, is located at 11th Street and Avenue E in Fort Madison. Built in 1871 by architects Walsh & Schmidt in the Gothic Revival style, it was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 8, 1980 (NRHP #80001455) and is a contributing property of the Park-to-Park Residential Historic District.
- Built 1871 by Walsh & Schmidt
- Gothic Revival style
- Listed on NRHP February 8, 1980 (#80001455)
- Contributing property to the Park-to-Park Residential Historic District
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at Holy Family Parish is described as 'an active way of growing in your relationship with God, learning more about your Catholic Faith, and sharing it with others.' The parish offers programming for all ages, researched and coordinated by Faith Formation Director Kelly Giese. Contact Kelly at 319-372-2127 or [email protected]. The parish has also hosted the Totus Tuus Summer Program.
- Director: Kelly Giese
- Programming for all ages
- Totus Tuus Summer Program offered
- Welcome Home Campaign for returning Catholics and inquirers
Youth Ministry
Holy Family Parish's Youth Ministry, led by Youth Minister Katie Englund, exists to call young people to be disciples of Jesus Christ, draw them into the life of the faith community, and foster total personal and spiritual growth. The current youth group is open to students in 2nd through 12th grades. Youth Group meets on Wednesdays at McAleer Hall in Fort Madison: grades 6–12 from 5:00 to 6:00 pm (currently used for Bible Study) and grades 2–5 from 6:00 to 6:45 pm. The Middle School & High School Bible Study uses FOCUS-based series and meets in the library room at McAleer Hall; materials and snacks are provided. Contact Katie at 319-372-2127 or [email protected].
- Grades 2–12 welcome
- Wed at McAleer Hall, Fort Madison
- Grades 6–12: 5:00–6:00 pm (Bible Study)
- Grades 2–5: 6:00–6:45 pm
- FOCUS-based Bible Study for middle and high school
Ministry of Care & Outreach
The Ministry of Care, coordinated by Kelly Giese, is the parish's outreach arm to those who cannot easily come to Mass. Holy Family is responsible for ministering to Catholics living in Fort Madison care facilities and to those admitted to the hospital. Mass is celebrated once a month at each residential facility, with a Eucharistic Minister making weekly Communion visits on the off weeks. For hospitalized Catholics who have identified themselves as such, the priest or a Eucharistic Minister offers Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament three times a week. Homebound parishioners — temporarily or permanently unable to attend Mass — can also arrange for a Eucharistic Minister to bring Communion to their home by calling the parish office.
- Monthly Mass at each Fort Madison residential care facility
- Weekly Communion visits to care facilities on off weeks
- Three-times-weekly Communion visits to hospitalized Catholics
- Homebound Communion visits by arrangement through the parish office
- Coordinator: Kelly Giese
Parish Staff & Leadership
Holy Family Parish is led by Pastor Fr. Gary Beckman and a small lay staff. Anita Helling serves as Business Manager, Andrea Hernandez as Secretary, Kelly Giese as Faith Formation Director and Ministry of Care Coordinator, and Katie Englund as Youth Minister. The parish office is at 1013 Avenue E, Fort Madison, and can be reached at 319-372-2127 or [email protected].
- Rev. Gary Beckman — Pastor
- Anita Helling — Business Manager
- Andrea Hernandez — Secretary
- Kelly Giese — Faith Formation Director / Ministry of Care Coordinator
- Katie Englund — Youth Minister
St. Joseph Church, Montrose
St. Joseph Church in Montrose, Iowa, is the third worship site of Holy Family Parish. It hosts a Wednesday evening Mass at 5:30 pm and a Saturday evening Mass at 6:00 pm, extending the parish's reach into the surrounding community.
- Wed 5:30 pm Mass
- Sat 6:00 pm Mass
- Worship site of Holy Family Parish in Montrose, Iowa
Welcome Home & Becoming Catholic
Holy Family Parish runs a 'Welcome Home Campaign' for anyone who has been away from the Catholic faith for a short time or many years, baptized Catholics who have not received all the sacraments, and non-Catholics interested in learning what Jesus offers through the Catholic Church. The parish invites inquirers to come and 'experience the joy and healing power of a renewed relationship with the God who loves you' — simply call the parish office at 319-372-2127 to begin a conversation.
- Welcome Home Campaign for returning Catholics
- Open to baptized Catholics needing remaining sacraments
- Open to non-Catholics inquiring about the Catholic faith
- Contact: 319-372-2127
Liturgical Ministry & Parish Life
In addition to Mass and the sacraments, Holy Family Parish sustains parish life through Liturgical Ministry (described as 'a great way to serve the Lord and your fellow parishioners'), Women's Bible Study, and ongoing stewardship, evangelism, and outreach to the poor. The parish identifies five ways it 'Celebrates the Gospel' — meaningful worship, fostering community, creating a welcoming environment, celebrating family, and sharing Eucharist — and five ways it 'Lives the Gospel' — outreach to the poor, evangelism, education, stewardship, and involvement of each member.
- Liturgical Ministry opportunities
- Women's Bible Study
- Outreach to the poor
- Evangelism and faith education
- Stewardship and Each Member involvement
Contact, Office Hours & Location
The parish office is at 1013 Avenue E, Fort Madison, IA 52627, with office hours of 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday and 8:30 am to noon on Friday. The office can be reached by phone at 319-372-2127 or by email at [email protected]. Sacred Heart Church is located at 2217 Avenue I (23rd Street and Avenue I) in Fort Madison.
- Office: 1013 Avenue E, Fort Madison, IA 52627
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 am–4:00 pm; Fri 8:30 am–noon
- Phone: 319-372-2127
- Email: [email protected]
- Sacred Heart Church: 2217 Avenue I, Fort Madison