Sacred Heart

History of Sacred Heart Parish

Catholic pioneers settled Eagle Grove just after the town was incorporated in 1881, were first visited by Father Eugene O'Keefe from Webster City, and formally established Sacred Heart Parish in 1882 under Father James T. Brennan. After a tornado destroyed the first church in 1894, Bishop J. B. Cotter of Winona laid the cornerstone of a new brick 'Church of the Sacred Heart' on a block donated by the non-Catholic Jeremiah Fitzmaurice; the present stone church was completed in 1958 under Father Maurice A. Mullan and seats about 450. Through the 20th century the parish built and eventually closed a school staffed by the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, marked its centennial in 1982, and formed the Holy Family Cluster in 2000.

Clergy and Parish Staff

The parish is led by Father Jerry W. Blake, appointed pastor of the Holy Family Cluster in 2014, with Deacons Michael Whitters and Pedro García assisting. Deacon Gerald Temeyer, ordained in 2009, is the only man in parish history to be ordained to the Permanent Deaconate.

• Rev. Jerry W. Blake — Pastor (2014–present)
• Deacon Michael Whitters
• Deacon Pedro García
• Deacon Gerald Temeyer (ordained 2009)

Holy Family Cluster

On October 26, 2000, Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB officially approved the formation of the Holy Family Cluster, which links Sacred Heart with neighboring missions including the former Saint Joseph's mission that served the German families southeast of Eagle Grove and the Woolstock church (now removed, though its cemetery remains in use).

• Cluster approved October 26, 2000 by Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB
• Twinned with sister parish in Anse Rouge, Haiti since 2003
• Cluster consolidation completed under Father Nils de Jesús Hernández (2008)
• Pastoral minister Louise Russell served under Father Wayne Droessler (1987)

Faith Formation and Religious Education

The parish has a long tradition of Catholic education. The first school opened in 1901 under Father Garland with the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters staffing it; additions followed in 1912, the high school was accredited in 1916 but discontinued in 1932, and the school closed in 1970 due to a shortage of religious sisters. Religious education for about 140 young people, a special religious education class, and adult education continue today — historically directed by Jackie Zigrang under Father Droessler.

• First parish school opened 1901 (Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters)
• 1912 school addition
• High school accredited 1916; discontinued 1932
• Parochial school closed 1970 (shortage of religious sisters)
• Religious education for ~140 young people + special class + adult education

Outreach and Hispanic Ministry

Since 2003 the parish has been twinned with a sister parish in Anse Rouge, Haiti, serving the poor and the needs of that community. In August 1997, Sister Carol Besch, OSF was hired by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque to minister to Hispanics in the Webster City Deanery, with the Eagle Grove parish participating in that outreach.

• Sister parish in Anse Rouge, Haiti (since 2003)
• Hispanic ministry in the Webster City Deanery (since 1997, Sister Carol Besch, OSF)

Parish Cemetery

Until 1898 Eagle Grove Catholics buried their dead at Rose Hill Cemetery; that year the parish established its own cemetery, originally named Gethsemane and later Calvary Cemetery, which remains in use. The Woolstock church (named for the nearby town) was removed in the 1960s, but its cemetery also remains in use.

• Calvary Cemetery (originally Gethsemane), in use since 1898
• Woolstock cemetery still in use (church removed 1960s)

Visitation and Pilgrimages

Under Father Norman White (July 1974), the parish made pilgrimages to Des Moines for Pope John Paul II's visit and the following year to the West Bend grotto. The parish continues to welcome visitors to its Sunday Mass and to livestream services for those at home.

• Pilgrimage to Des Moines for Pope John Paul II's visit (Father White era)
• Pilgrimage to the West Bend grotto (the following year)
• Livestream Mass via holyfamilycluster.org

Contact and Visiting

Sacred Heart Parish is located at 221 South Jackson Avenue in Eagle Grove, Iowa50533; the Archdiocese of Dubuque Parish Finder lists the parish at 204 S Jackson Ave with the parish office reachable at (515) 532-3586 and email [email protected]. The parish website, holyfamilycluster.org, carries the Mass and Confession schedule, livestream link, and cluster information.

• Address: 221 S. Jackson Ave., Eagle Grove, IA 50533
• Phone: (515) 532-3586
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.holyfamilycluster.org