Immaculate Conception

Parish History

Catholic worship in Gilbertville goes back to 1856, when settlers built a small church from sawmill slabs. A larger church followed in 1868 but was destroyed by wind in 1874. The present parish was formally established in 1875 when newly ordained Fr. John Nemmers was appointed founding pastor on the very day of his ordination, December 19, 1875. He built the priest's residence, opened a school in 1876, and in 1892 brought the School Sisters of Notre Dame from Milwaukee to teach. Work on the present church began in 1888, and a new rectory was added in 1900.

• 1856 — first small Catholic church built from sawmill slabs
• 1868 — second church built; destroyed by wind in 1874
• 1875 — Fr. John Nemmers ordained Dec. 19 and appointed first pastor; third church dedicated early 1875
• 1876 — parish school opened (Fr. Nemmers taught the first year)
• 1888 — work began on the present church under Fr. Nemmers' supervision
• 1891 — Rev. Nicholas Nosbisch, first priestly son of the parish, offered first Mass in the new church
• 1892 — three School Sisters of Notre Dame from Milwaukee arrived
• 1900 — new rectory built
• 1925 — double Golden Jubilee celebrated (parish & Fr. Nemmers' ordination)
• 1928 — Fr. Nemmers died Sept. 7; buried in St. Mary's Cemetery

Modern Era & Campus Improvements (2000 to present)

The 21st century has brought a series of campus investments that have refreshed the parish's facilities while preserving its historic character.

• 2004 — complete restoration of the church
• 2010-2011 — $3.3 million project: new St. Mary Center with cafeteria and gymnasium serving both parish and school; major Don Bosco Catholic High School updates
• 2013-2014 — handicap-accessible entrance and parking added on the northwest side of the church
• 2013-2014 — Sancta Maria Cemetery established east of Gilbertville, expanding burial space
• 2022-2023 — grotto restoration project

Parish Priests — Succession

The published succession of pastors shows remarkable stability in the parish's early decades and a tighter turnover in modern times, while maintaining continuity of pastoral care.

• Rev. John Nemmers — 1875-1928 (52 years; founding pastor; buried in St. Mary's Cemetery)
• Msgr. Cremer — 1928-1965 (almost 37 years)
• Rev. Dennis Colter — 2007-2010
• Rev. Henry P. Huber — 2010-2022
• Rev. Noah J. Diehm — 2022-present (current pastor)

Clergy & Staff

Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph parishes are served by a small but dedicated team. Fr. Noah J. Diehm is the pastor, supported by retired priest Fr. John Gossman (in residence since 2021) and Deacon Kevin Hagarty. Beth Wiebbecke serves as parish secretary.

• Rev. Noah J. Diehm — Pastor; ordained June 25, 2011; native of Dubuque; previously associate pastor, Spires of Faith Cluster (2011-2014), and pastor, St. John Baptist de La Salle Pastorate (2014-2022); certified spiritual director (2020)
• Rev. John Gossman — Retired priest in residence; ordained May 28, 1971; joined IC & St. Joseph in 2021; enjoys fishing
• Deacon Kevin Hagarty — Ordained July 20, 2019; married at Immaculate Conception Aug. 28, 1976; four children and eight grandchildren
• Beth Wiebbecke — Parish Secretary

Prayer Ministries

The parish offers several prayer and devotional supports for parishioners and the wider community.

• Rosary prayed before every weekend Mass (Saturday 4 p.m. IC, Saturday 5:30 p.m. St. Joseph, Sunday 8 a.m. IC) and before all weekday Masses
• Prayer Line — submit or join prayer requests (Sue Reiter, 319-290-0809)
• 7 Sisters Apostolate
• Perpetual Adoration at Columbus High School Adoration Chapel, Waterloo (24/7)
• First Friday Mass, Adoration and Exposition following 7:45 a.m. Mass

Community Life & Service Ministries

A wide range of parish groups and service ministries support fellowship, outreach, and fundraising for the parish and school system.

• Knights of Columbus (Jesup Council) — Mark Kies, Grand Knight
• Catholic Daughters of the Americas (Waterloo & Jesup groups)
• Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW)
• Recycled Greeting Card Group — $0.50 each (4/$1.00 for Christmas); sold at Wanderlust Studio Market, Evansdale; Farmers State Bank and Casey's in Gilbertville; and the back of IC Church
• Baptism Quilts — Diane Delagardelle
• Bosco System (Catholic education, pre-K through 12)

Catholic Education — The Bosco System

The parishes share the Bosco Catholic School System, which educates students from preschool through high school across two campuses in Gilbertville and Raymond. Immaculate Conception Grade School and St. Joseph Pre-School share the Gilbertville campus, while Don Bosco Catholic High School continues the parish's long tradition of Catholic education that began with Fr. Nemmers' one-room school in 1876.

• Immaculate Conception Grade School / St. Joseph Pre-School — 319-296-1089
• Don Bosco Catholic High School — 319-296-1692
• 2011 — St. Mary Center opens, adding cafeteria and gymnasium shared by parish and school

Sacraments & Sacramental Preparation

The parish celebrates all seven sacraments and prepares parishioners of every age to receive them.

• Baptism — with pre-baptism classes for expectant parents
• First Holy Communion and First Reconciliation — parent sessions and yearly celebration
• Confirmation — yearly celebration for youth
• Marriage — preparation and wedding-anniversary celebrations
• Anointing of the Sick — communal celebration
• RCIA — for prospective converts
• Reconciliation — Saturday, First Friday, Advent/Lent communal services, or by appointment

Cemeteries

Two parish cemeteries serve the community of Immaculate Conception. St. Mary's Cemetery was established as one of founding pastor Fr. John Nemmers' projects and is his final resting place alongside Msgr. Cremer. The newer Sancta Maria Cemetery, created east of Gilbertville in 2013-2014, expanded the parish's available burial plots.

• St. Mary's Cemetery — Board Chairperson: Steve Reiter, 319-230-0141
• Sancta Maria Cemetery — established 2013-2014 east of Gilbertville
• To purchase lots, contact the parish office at 319-296-1092

Mission Statement

Immaculate Conception's mission, in the words of the parish itself, is to "equip Catholics to be the Light of Christ in the world." Parish leadership explains: "Being a 'light' for Christ is to live our lives in the same 'light' as Jesus did. This all starts with the family and spreads to our communities."