About Sacred Heart · Ida Grove, Iowa
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a small rural Roman-Latin rite parish in Ida Grove, Iowa, the seat of Ida County in northwest Iowa. It is one of three parishes clustered together under the umbrella name 'St. Therese of Lisieux Parishes,' along with St. Mary's of Danbury and St. Mary's of Mapleton, all sharing a single pastor (Fr. William McCarthy) and a cluster-wide faith-formation program. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Sioux City and traces its origins to the late 19th century, when Catholic settlers in the Ida Grove area began gathering for Mass. Today the parish holds Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m. in its church at 800 N. Main St. and serves the farming communities of Ida County together with its partner parishes.
- Established
- Late 19th century (church built 1900)
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. William (Fr. William) McCarthy
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sioux City
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a small, family-style country parish where the same faces — farmers, retirees, and families across Ida County — gather every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. for Mass. The parish is currently preparing for a new roof through community fundraisers that show its tight-knit character, and it is part of the active St. Therese of Lisieux cluster, which means parishioners have access to a bigger faith-formation program and the Danbury Catholic School while still belonging to a close-knit local parish. The cluster also features a regular schedule of weekday Masses, gratitude-filled social events, and a dedicated priest and deacon committed to serving rural western Iowa.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday and Thursday before and after daily Mass at Ida Grove (per parish directory)
About Sacred Heart Parish
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a small rural Roman-Latin rite parish in Ida Grove, Iowa, the county seat of Ida County. It is fully part of the Diocese of Sioux City and is clustered for ministry with St. Mary's of Danbury and St. Mary's of Mapleton under the umbrella name 'St. Therese of Lisieux Parishes.' The cluster shares a single pastor (Fr. William McCarthy), a deacon (Rev. Mr. Michael Stover), and three parish coordinators. Sacred Heart holds Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m. at 800 N. Main St. and serves the surrounding rural Catholic communities of Ida County.
Cluster of St. Therese of Lisieux Parishes
Sacred Heart is one of three parishes that form the St. Therese of Lisieux Parishes, a rural cluster serving the western Iowa counties of Ida, Woodbury, and Monona. The three parishes share a single pastor, a deacon, and one faith-formation program across the cluster. The cluster is also linked to Danbury Catholic School, the parish school that serves all three communities.
- Sacred Heart — Ida Grove (800 N. Main St., Ida Grove, IA 51445)
- St. Mary's — Danbury (604 Peach St., Danbury, IA 51019)
- St. Mary's — Mapleton (703 Heisler St., Mapleton, IA 51034)
- Pastor: Rev. William McCarthy
- Deacon: Rev. Mr. Michael Stover
History of the Parish
Sacred Heart traces its origins to the late 19th century, when Catholic settlers in the Ida Grove area first came together for Mass celebrated by missionary priests from parishes to the south and east. The first church, built in 1900, is the building still standing today. Father Harry Edward Dailey was assigned as pastor on September 28, 1944, and served for 36 years, becoming the last priest in the Sioux City diocese appointed by Bishop Heelan. He oversaw major repairs, a basement addition, new steel siding, a paved parking lot, and a new educational unit. He was named Ida Grove's Citizen of the Year in 1980. More recently, Father David Hemann served the parish from the Sacred Heart rectory and was known regionally as 'The Singing Priest,' recording five albums of music. The parish community is currently fundraising for a new roof on the historic church.
- Late 19th century — Catholic settlers first served by visiting missionaries
- 1900 — Original church building constructed
- Sept. 28, 1944 — Father H. E. Dailey assigned as pastor
- 1944–c. 1980 — Father Dailey's 36-year pastorate
- 1980 — Father Dailey named Ida Grove Citizen of the Year
- Post-1980s — Father David Hemann ('The Singing Priest') serves as pastor
- Today — Cluster of St. Therese of Lisieux Parishes; new roof fundraiser underway
Sacraments
Sacred Heart offers the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Tuesdays and Thursdays before and after daily Mass at Ida Grove. Mass intentions can be requested by contacting the parish coordinator (Amy Forbes). Baptisms, marriages, anointing of the sick, and other sacramental needs are coordinated through the parish office.
- Reconciliation — Tuesday and Thursday before and after daily Mass, Ida Grove
- Mass Intentions — contact Amy Forbes (parish coordinator)
- Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick — by appointment through the parish office
- Office phone: 712-364-2718
Parish Staff
The parish is led by pastor Rev. William McCarthy, who also serves as pastor of St. Mary's Danbury and St. Mary's Mapleton. Deacon Michael Stover assists across the cluster. Three parish coordinators handle parish operations at each location: Amy Forbes (Ida Grove), Janelle Clausen (Danbury), and Charlene Boyer (Mapleton).
- Pastor — Rev. William McCarthy ([email protected])
- Deacon — Rev. Mr. Michael Stover
- Parish Coordinator, Ida Grove — Amy Forbes
- Parish Coordinator, Danbury — Janelle Clausen
- Parish Coordinator, Mapleton — Charlene Boyer
Parish Life & Community
The parish has a lively community life rooted in rural Iowa traditions. Recent gatherings include the annual birthday brunch for Father McCarthy (with a free-will donation directed to the new-roof fund) and the Pork Producers' pork-burger lunch served after the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, with drinks and bars provided by the Sacred Heart Women. The parish bulletin keeps the community updated on Mass intentions, servers, and upcoming events.
- Father McCarthy's Birthday Brunch (annual, parish fundraiser)
- Pork Producers' Pork-Burger Lunch (after Sunday Mass)
- Sacred Heart Women — drinks and bars at parish events
- Weekly parish bulletin — herlittleway.org/bulletin
Faith Formation & Catholic School
Cluster-wide faith formation for the children of Sacred Heart, St. Mary's Danbury, and St. Mary's Mapleton is led by Deacon Michael Stover. The cluster's parish school is Danbury Catholic School, which serves the Catholic families of all three parishes. The principal's office is at the Danbury location.
- Cluster Faith Formation — led by Deacon Michael Stover
- Danbury Catholic School (cluster school)
- Contacts through the parish coordinator at each location
Contact & Visit
Visitors are warmly welcomed at Sacred Heart at 800 N. Main St., Ida Grove, IA 51445. The mailing address is PO Box 203, Ida Grove, IA 51445. The parish office can be reached at 712-364-2718 or by email at [email protected]. The cluster's website (herlittleway.org) carries the latest bulletin, Mass schedule, and Mass intentions.
- Address — 800 N. Main St., Ida Grove, IA 51445
- Mailing — PO Box 203, Ida Grove, IA 51445
- Phone — 712-364-2718
- Email — [email protected]
- Website — https://www.herlittleway.org
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/sacredheartidagrove
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Priests from Dubuque/Carroll counties (circuit)1870s–1880s
Catholic settlers in the Ida Grove area were first visited by missionary priests from parishes to the south and east before the parish was formally organized.
- Rev. Harry Edward (H. E.) Dailey1944–c. 1980 (36 years)
Ordained May 21, 1939 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany, Sioux City; assigned Sept. 28, 1944; last priest in the Sioux City diocese appointed by Bishop Heelan; oversaw repairs, basement, steel siding, paved parking lot, and new educational unit; named Ida Grove Citizen of the Year in 1980.
- Rev. David HemannLong-serving pastor (post-1980s)
Lived at the Sacred Heart Church rectory in Ida Grove; recorded five albums of priestly music and was featured in the Sioux City Journal as 'The Singing Priest.' Quoted with knowledge of the era of the Singing Nun ('Dominique').