About Holy Trinity · Des Moines, Iowa
Holy Trinity Catholic Church and School is a faith-filled, Eucharistic parish in the Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines, Iowa, in the Diocese of Des Moines. Founded in 1920 by Father Francis Ostdiek and still guided by his educational vision, the parish opened its Catholic school in 1922 with just 13 students and two Sisters of Mercy — today it is one of the premier Catholic schools in the city. The parish's mission centers on Christ-centered stewardship through education, justice, hospitality, and service, and it sustains a vibrant campus that includes the church, school, Parish Center, and active outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1920
- Patron
- Holy Trinity (the Most Holy Trinity)
- Rector
- Rev. Mark Neal
- Diocese
- Diocese of Des Moines
Why belong here
Holy Trinity welcomes parishioners and visitors into a Beaverdale parish that has been rooted in Catholic faith and education for more than a century. Daily Mass (Tuesday through Saturday), Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, and Saturday Reconciliation make the sacraments accessible, while a robust slate of ministries — including the Patch Committee (housing homeless families), St. Vincent de Paul, Pastoral Care, Liturgical Ministries, the Welcome Committee, and a strong Faith Formation program for grades 1 through Confirmation — offer a place to belong, serve, and grow. Pastor Fr. Mark Neal, himself an HT alumnus, often invites newcomers to experience a parish where, as he puts it, visitors immediately notice how welcoming it feels.
Mass times at Holy Trinity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM (Reconciliation Room, northeast corner of the church)
- By appointment with Fr. Mark Neal (515-255-3162 ext. 126)
- Evening Penitential Services during Advent and Lent
Adoration times
- Thursday 2:00–9:00 PM
Our Parish
Holy Trinity Church is a faith-filled Eucharistic community committed to Christ-centered stewardship through education, justice, hospitality, and service. Welcoming words from Pastor Fr. Mark Neal greet visitors on the parish page, inviting them to take the journey of faith together with this Beaverdale community.
- Mission: faith-filled Eucharistic community centered on Christ-centered stewardship
- Four pillars: education, justice, hospitality, and service
- Pastor's welcome message from Fr. Mark Neal
Our Heritage & History
Holy Trinity was born from the vision of Bishop Thomas Drumm, who chose Father Francis Ostdiek as founding pastor. Father Ostdiek began his assignment on June 26, 1920, salvaging lumber from Camp Dodge in Johnston and hauling it six miles to the Beaverdale site. The original church was completed in January 1922; a larger church followed in 1936, and the present church was completed in 1957. The Parish Center was built in 1985 under Fr. Richard Gubbels, and the church received its first major renovation in 1990 under Fr. James Laurenzo. The parish marked a Founders' Day anniversary in June 2022 — a centennial milestone reflecting more than 100 years of Catholic life in Beaverdale.
- 1920 — Father Francis Ostdiek arrives as founding pastor (Bishop Thomas Drumm's vision)
- 1922 — Original church completed; school opens Jan 21, 1922 with 13 students and two Sisters of Mercy
- 1936 — Larger church completed (served until 1957)
- 1957 — Present church building completed
- 1937 — Original church becomes classrooms; enrollment ~400; temporary church built
- 1947 — Six additional classrooms added west of current church
- 1960 — B and C school buildings completed
- 1985 — Parish Center built under Fr. Richard Gubbels (gym, lunchroom, media center, middle school)
- 1990 — First major renovation of the church under Fr. James Laurenzo
Pastor Succession
Holy Trinity maintains a clear succession of pastors stretching back to its founding. Father Ostdiek's extraordinary 49-year tenure (1920–1969) gave the parish its enduring educational mission; the current pastor, Rev. Mark Neal (since 2018), is himself an HT alumnus who grew up wanting to return to his home parish.
- Rev. Francis Ostdiek, 1920–1969 (founding pastor)
- Msgr. John McIlhon, 1969–1973
- Rev. Bernard Gottner, 1969–1978
- Rev. Richard Gubbels, 1978–1986
- Rev. James Laurenzo, 1985–1993
- Msgr. Gerald Stessman, 1993–2003
- Rev. Anthony Aiello, 2003–2005
- Msgr. Frank Chiodo, 2005–2007
- Rev. Michael Amadeo, 2007–2018
- Rev. Mark Neal, 2018–present
Parish Staff
Holy Trinity's parish team is led by Pastor Rev. Mark Neal and supported by four deacons — Deacon Troy Thompson (Pastoral Care Minister), Deacon Doug Renze, Deacon Jim Obradovich, and Deacon Bob Howe — along with parish office staff.
- Rev. Mark Neal — Pastor (ext. 126, [email protected])
- Deacon Troy Thompson — Pastoral Care Minister (ext. 124, [email protected])
- John Mertes — Director of Faith Formation (ext. 224, [email protected])
- Allison Sand — Youth Minister (ext. 226)
- Mary Gisler — Business Manager (ext. 123)
- Janelle Kitt — Bookkeeper (ext. 125)
- Jan Swinton — Parish Administrative Assistant (ext. 128, [email protected])
- David Bagby — Facilities Manager (ext. 109)
- Gigi Wilwerding — Youth Minister (ext. 226, [email protected])
- Deacon Doug & Kim Renze, Deacon Jim & Kathie Obradovich, Deacon Bob & Dale Howe
Sacraments
The parish walks with families and individuals through all seven sacraments. Baptism is celebrated during weekend Masses or outside Mass after a pre-Baptismal class. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are normally prepared for in the second grade, and Confirmation is celebrated in the fall of the sophomore year of high school. The RCIA process welcomes adults into full communion (and baptized Christians seeking First Eucharist and/or Confirmation), coordinated by Deacon Doug Renze. Marriage preparation includes a Pre-Marriage Inventory and the diocesan-wide class; Anointing of the Sick is available through the Parish Office.
- Baptism — register for class with Parish Office (ext. 128)
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist — 2nd-grade preparation (John Mertes, ext. 224)
- Confirmation — fall of sophomore year (Allison Sand, ext. 226)
- RCIA — Deacon Doug Renze
- Marriage — arrangements with the parish
- Anointing of the Sick — contact Parish Office
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Faith Formation Program supports public-school students in grades 1 through 8, meeting Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:45 PM in the school building from September through early May. Three tracks are offered: Elementary (Grades 1–5), EDGE (Grades 6–8), and Confirmation preparation (entering Grade 9), all meeting at 6:30 PM Wednesdays. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is integrated into these programs.
- Elementary Faith Formation — Grades 1–5, Wednesdays 6:30 PM
- EDGE — Grades 6–8, Wednesdays 6:30 PM
- Confirmation preparation — entering Grade 9, Wednesdays 6:30 PM
- Director of Faith Formation: John Mertes (ext. 224, [email protected])
- First Reconciliation/First Eucharist materials fee: $30 per child
- Confirmation retreat fee: $60 per child (Blessing Cup for First Eucharist: $30)
Holy Trinity Catholic School
Holy Trinity Catholic School is a Professional Learning Community that has been educating students for over 100 years — founded in 1922 with 13 students and two Sisters of Mercy, and now one of Des Moines's premier Catholic schools. About 80% of students are Catholic, and non-Catholic students are warmly welcomed. Faith is woven into the daily curriculum through daily prayer, weekly Mass, religion classes, sacrament preparation and participation, and service-learning opportunities. Principal Monica Morrison leads the school, supported by Father Mark Neal as pastor and alumnus (class of '77).
- Founded January 21, 1922 — 13 students, two Sisters of Mercy
- Principal: Monica Morrison
- Pastoral support: Rev. Mark Neal (HT alumnus, class of '77)
- Faith curriculum: Daily Prayer, Weekly Mass, Religion Class, Sacrament Preparation, Service Learning
- Campus buildings: original (1947 classrooms), B and C buildings (1960), 1985 wing (gym, lunchroom, media center, middle school)
Ministries & Outreach
Parish life at Holy Trinity is built around an extensive ministry roster. The Pastoral Care Team visits parishioners in homes, hospitals, and senior living communities, sending the 'Journeying through Grief' book series at four crucial times during the first year of bereavement. The Patch Committee provides housing, utilities, and phone service for a homeless family for up to six months. The Welcome Committee hosts quarterly New Members Coffee & Donuts. Liturgical ministries include Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers (4th grade and older), Music Ministry (Cantor, Instrumentalist, Funeral Choir, Schola, Traditional Choir), Ushers, and Altar Mass & Linens. Other groups include St. Vincent de Paul, Teams of Our Lady, Christian Family Movement, Holy Trinity Women's Club, Holy Trinity Supper Club, the Peace and Justice Committee, and Sunday Child Care for children under 3 during the 10:30 AM Mass. The parish also partners with DMARC (Des Moines Area Religious Council) and the Eat Greater Des Moines network to support food pantries and anti-hunger organizations across Central Iowa, with green collection tubs at every church entrance.
- Pastoral Care — visits, calls, Extraordinary Ministers, 'Journeying through Grief' series
- Patch Committee — homeless family housing for up to 6 months
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Welcome Committee — quarterly New Members Coffee & Donuts
- Liturgical Ministers — Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers, Music, Ushers, Linens
- DMARC food and anti-hunger support (collection tubs at church entries)
Worship & Liturgical Life
Holy Trinity takes pride in its varied and beautiful liturgies and offers many ways to get involved as a liturgical minister. All baptized and confirmed parishioners may volunteer as Lectors, and confirmed parishioners may serve as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. Music Ministry welcomes Cantors, Instrumentalists, Funeral Choir, Schola, and Traditional Choir members. The parish welcomes people of other faith traditions, offering a personal blessing in lieu of Communion upon request.
- Music Ministry — Cantor, Instrumentalist, Funeral Choir, Schola, Traditional Choir
- Lectors — proclaim readings and Prayers of the Faithful
- Altar Servers — students in 4th grade and older
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Ushers and greeters
- Altar Mass & Linens care
Connect, Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can stay connected via Flocknote (text HTDSM to 84576 or sign up at holytrinitycatholicdsm.flocknote.com), receive email bulletins, and watch Masses live on the parish's YouTube channel and Facebook page. The Parish Office is open weekdays at 2926 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310; phone 515-255-3162, fax 515-255-1381. School email is [email protected]. The community also has a Spirit Store at sascampus.com/collections/holy-trinity.
- Address: 2926 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
- Phone: 515-255-3162 | Fax: 515-255-1381
- Parish email: [email protected]
- School email: [email protected]
- Flocknote: text HTDSM to 84576
- YouTube: /HTSCHOOLDM | Facebook: /HolyTrinityDSM | Instagram: @holytrinitydsm
- Spirit Store: sascampus.com/collections/holy-trinity
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis Ostdiek1920–1969
Founding pastor; salvaged lumber from Camp Dodge; served 49 years; opened the school in 1922.
- Msgr. John McIlhon1969–1973
- Rev. Bernard Gottner1969–1978
- Rev. Richard Gubbels1978–1986
Coordinated the 1985 Parish Center construction.
- Rev. James Laurenzo1985–1993
Directed the church's first major renovation since 1957, completed in 1990.
- Msgr. Gerald Stessman1993–2003
- Rev. Anthony Aiello2003–2005
- Msgr. Frank Chiodo2005–2007
- Rev. Michael Amadeo2007–2018
- Rev. Mark Neal2018–present
Holy Trinity alumnus, class of '77; grew up at the parish.