About Immaculate Conception · Charles City, Iowa
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Dubuque located in Charles City, Iowa, overlooking the Cedar River. Catholic life in Charles City dates back to 1854, when a missionary priest first celebrated Mass in a local home; the parish itself was formally established in the early 1860s and currently serves the faithful of Floyd County and the surrounding area with daily and weekend Masses, a parish school, faith formation programs, and outreach ministries. The present church building was constructed in 1972 after the 1968 Charles City tornado destroyed the earlier Gothic brick church, and the parish celebrated its 50th anniversary on Chapel Lane in December 2022. It is pastored by Fr. Tom Heathershaw, with Deacon Michael Ward and Sr. Diana Blong (pastoral associate) on staff.
- Established
- 1854 (first Mass); parish formally established with first resident priest c. 1863
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Fr. Tom Heathershaw
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Dubuque
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception is a welcoming riverside parish with deep roots — Mass has been celebrated in Charles City since 1854 — that combines a full weekly schedule of Masses, a parish school (Immaculate Conception School), faith formation for children and adults, and active lay ministries. The parish offers daily noon Masses Tuesday through Friday plus a Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses, with the flexibility of by-appointment confession. Outreach, faith formation, RCIA, and volunteer coordination are built into parish life, and the building itself — overlooking the Cedar River — is a tangible link to the community's recovery after the devastating 1968 tornado.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment
About Immaculate Conception Parish
Immaculate Conception is a Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Dubuque serving Charles City and surrounding Floyd County in north-central Iowa. Catholic worship in Charles City dates back to 1854; the current parish community continues that tradition with weekend and daily Masses, a parish school, faith formation for all ages, and active outreach and volunteer ministries.
History
A missionary priest first offered Mass in a Charles City home in 1854. The parish received its first resident priest nearly ten years later. From 1870 to 1885 the basement of the future church served as the worship space; in 1885 the Gothic-style brick church on that foundation was completed. The building suffered two fires during its lifetime and was devastated by the 1968 Charles City tornado, after which the parish relocated to the school gym while deciding how to rebuild. Construction of the present church on Chapel Lane began in July 1971, and Archbishop James J. Byrne of Dubuque dedicated it on December 7, 1972 — the vigil of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The parish marked its 50th anniversary on Chapel Lane in December 2022.
- 1854 — First Mass celebrated in a Charles City home
- c. 1863 — First resident priest assigned; parish formally established
- 1870 — Basement of future church completed and used for worship
- 1885 — Gothic-style brick church dedicated on the existing foundation
- 20th century — Church damaged twice by fires
- 1968 — Charles City tornado severely damages the historic church
- 1968–1971 — Worship moves to parish school gymnasium
- July 1971 — Construction begins on the current church
- December 7, 1972 — Present church dedicated by Archbishop James J. Byrne
- December 7, 2022 — 50th anniversary of the Chapel Lane church celebrated
- Archives held at Loras College Center for Dubuque History
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by a pastor with the assistance of a permanent deacon, a religious sister serving as pastoral associate, and a team of lay staff for the school, faith formation, business operations, and volunteer coordination.
- Fr. Tom Heathershaw — Pastor
- Deacon Michael Ward — Deacon
- Sr. Diana Blong — Pastoral Associate
- Alex Gebel — Business Manager
- Laurie Field — School Principal
- Jodi Page — Director of Faith Formation
- Connie Goddard — Coordinator of Volunteers
- Ann Crook — School Secretary
Immaculate Conception School
Immaculate Conception School is the parish's Catholic elementary school, sharing the parish campus. In addition to its academic program, the school supports faith formation and serves as a center of parish community life — most famously, its gymnasium served as the worship space for the parish from1968 until the new church opened in 1972.
- Principal: Laurie Field
- School Secretary: Ann Crook
- Christmas concerts held annually in early December
Faith Formation
The parish Faith Formation program serves children and adults, including sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, as well as ongoing adult formation and the RCIA process for those entering the Catholic Church.
- Director of Faith Formation: Jodi Page
- Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation / First Communion
- Confirmation preparation coordinated with the Archdiocese of Dubuque
- RCIA for adults seeking initiation into the Catholic Church
Devotions & Special Celebrations
In addition to weekly Masses, Immaculate Conception observes the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (December 8) — its patronal feast — with a parish dinner and special Mass. The parish also keeps an annual Hispanic/Latino tradition in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe in mid-December, featuring 'Mananitas' prayer, rosary, music, Mass, procession, and a fiesta.
- December 8 — Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (patronal feast)
- December 10 — 'Mananitas' prayer, rosary and music (10 PM – midnight)
- December 11 — Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe:2 PM Mass and procession, followed by fiesta
- Annual parish roast beef dinner in early December
Outreach & Volunteer Ministries
The parish supports an active network of ministries organized through the Coordinator of Volunteers, including pastoral care, social-justice outreach, liturgical and music ministries, and parish-school volunteering.
- Coordinator of Volunteers: Connie Goddard
- Pastoral care / visitation ministry (coordinated with Sr. Diana Blong)
- Parish school volunteer program
- Liturgical and music ministries at weekend and weekday Masses
- Charitable outreach (referenced in parish bulletins)
Visiting & Contact Information
The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–4:30 PM, and Friday 8:30 AM–12:00 PM. Visitors are warmly welcomed at any scheduled Mass or by appointment for confession and pastoral needs.
- Address: 106 Chapel Lane, Charles City, IA 50616-2810
- Phone: 641-228-1071
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–12:00 PM / 1:00–4:30 PM; Fri 8:30 AM–12:00 PM
- Confession: by appointment
Pastors & rectors through the years
- First resident priest (name not verified)c. 1863 onward
Established Immaculate Conception Parish; first assigned resident pastor.
- Francis DeSales Heimerman1949–1956
Associate priest at Immaculate Conception, Charles City (ordained 1944; previously at St. Raphael Cathedral, Dubuque). Later pastor at St. Bernard's, Alta Vista; Holy Trinity, Luxemburg; and St. Michael's, Nashua.
- Fr. John Gallagherbefore 1972
Former pastor of the parish; preached the homily at the dedication Mass for the new church on December 7, 1972.
- Fr. Bernie Grady1972
Ministered in the parish in 1972; concelebrated the 50th anniversary Mass in December 2022.
- Fr. Tom Heathershawpresent (as of 2022)
Current pastor; concelebrated the 50th anniversary Mass on December 7, 2022.