About Immaculate Conception · Saint Marys, Iowa
Immaculate Conception is a small Catholic parish located in the rural community of Saint Marys, Iowa, in Warren County. A mission of the Diocese of Des Moines, the parish was established in 1870 by German and Irish Catholic settlers and has worshipped at 101 Saint James Street in Saint Marys ever since. The parish is served today by Fr. George Boachie-Nyarko and offers Sunday Mass, Tuesday evening Mass with adoration and rosary, and regular reconciliation.
- Established
- 1870
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Fr. George Boachie-Nyarko
- Diocese
- Diocese of Des Moines
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception offers an intimate, close-knit rural Catholic community with reverent weekly Sunday Mass and a Tuesday evening Mass preceded by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the rosary. New families and visitors are personally welcomed by a parish spokesperson, Gary Van Dyke, who answers questions and helps newcomers feel at home. With a religious education program led by Michelle Fick, a parish office open Tuesdays, and a pastoral team reachable for emergencies, the parish gives every family a direct line to their priest and a real sense of belonging.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 9:40 AM (immediately before Mass)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 5:00 PM (followed by Rosary at 5:30 PM and Mass at 6:00 PM)
About Immaculate Conception Parish
Immaculate Conception is a small rural Catholic parish serving the community of Saint Marys in Warren County, Iowa. Founded in 1870 by German and Irish Catholic pioneers, the parish continues its mission under the Diocese of Des Moines from its location at 101 St. James Street. Despite its small size, the parish maintains a full weekly liturgical schedule and active faith formation program for children and youth.
- Founded in 1870 as the 'German Catholic Church'
- Part of the Diocese of Des Moines
- Located at 101 St. James Street, Saint Marys, IA 50241
Parish History
The parish was established in 1870 in the newly platted town of St. Mary's, which was laid out on land donated by George M. and Catherine Durschell. The Durschells sold the church property for just $5.00, and trustees Joseph Sporrer, Michael Durschell, Bernard Sheve, and John Gehringer formalized the deeds on March 7, 1871. The original St. Mary's Cemetery nearby contains burials as early as 1865. The parish was officially incorporated in Iowa on November 1, 1912 as Immaculate Conception Church of Saint Marys, Warren County, Iowa.
- Established 1870; originally called the 'German Catholic Church'
- Town of St. Mary's platted August 8, 1870 by the Durschell family
- Deeds for church property filed March 7, 1871
- Incorporated in Iowa on November 1, 1912
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
Immaculate Conception offers Sunday Mass at 10:00 AM, preceded by the rosary and the sacrament of Reconciliation at 9:40 AM. A second weekly Mass is celebrated on Tuesday at 6:00 PM, preceded by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 5:00 PM and the rosary at 5:30 PM.
- Sunday: Rosary 9:40 AM, Reconciliation 9:40 AM, Mass 10:00 AM
- Tuesday: Adoration 5:00 PM, Rosary 5:30 PM, Mass 6:00 PM
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by Fr. George Boachie-Nyarko as pastor. The parish office is managed by Sarah Gehringer, who can be reached at the office phone on Tuesdays from 8:30–11:00 AM and 12:00–3:30 PM. The priest's residence phone and an emergency line are also listed for parishioner needs.
- Pastor: Fr. George Boachie-Nyarko — Residence: (641) 534-4691; Emergency: (515) 210-2490
- Office Manager: Sarah Gehringer — Office: (641) 297-2359
- Office Hours: Tuesdays 8:30–11:00 AM and 12:00–3:30 PM
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Immaculate Conception offers a parish-based religious education program for its families. The program is listed by the Diocese of Des Moines as one of its active parish faith formation programs. Families interested in enrolling their children or learning more about sacramental preparation are encouraged to contact the parish office or the RE leader directly.
- Religious Education Leader: Michelle Fick
- Program coordinated through the Diocese of Des Moines religious education network
New Families & Visitors
Immaculate Conception makes a special effort to welcome new families and visitors. The parish has designated a Welcome Spokesperson, Gary Van Dyke, to personally answer questions about the parish, Mass schedule, registration, sacraments, and community life. Visitors and newcomers are warmly invited to introduce themselves.
- Welcome Spokesperson: Gary Van Dyke — (515) 238-4691
- Contact recommended for new families regularly attending the parish
Bulletin & Communications
The parish maintains a bulletins page on its website where past bulletins are archived for parishioners and visitors to review. Bulletins typically carry the weekly Mass schedule, announcements, ministry news, and prayer intentions for the Immaculate Conception community.
- Bulletins archived at immaculateconceptionstmarys.org/bulletins
Location & Directions
The parish sits in the small rural community of Saint Marys in Jackson Township, Warren County, Iowa. From Indianola, travelers head west on Highway 92 for approximately 7 miles, then south for about 3¾ miles. The church address is 101 St. James Street, St. Marys, IA 50241.
- Address: 101 St. James Street, St. Marys, IA 50241
- Approximately 7 miles west of Indianola on Highway 92, then 3¾ miles south
- Near Martensdale, on County Road 45