About Sacred Heart · Melcher, Iowa
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a small parish serving the community of Melcher-Dallas in Marion County, Iowa, within the Diocese of Davenport. The parish was incorporated on October 9, 1916, and Mass is celebrated several days a week at its church at 204 SW D Street. The parish offers the full range of sacraments, weekly Mass in English, faith formation classes, and active ministries including the Knights of Columbus, Altar & Rosary, liturgical ministries, and social action outreach.
- Established
- 1916
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Fr. Dennis Hoffman
- Diocese
- Diocese of Davenport
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers a faithful Catholic community in the small town of Melcher-Dallas, with weekday and weekend Masses, the full sacramental life (Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Reconciliation), and a warm network of lay ministries. Parishioners can get involved as greeters, ushers, altar servers, lectors, or Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and the parish also hosts the Knights of Columbus, Altar & Rosary Society, Faith Formation classes, and a social action outreach — making it easy to belong even in a small rural parish.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment — call Fr. Kevin Anstey at (641) 947-4981
- Communal penance services during Advent and Lent
Welcome to Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Sacred Heart is the Catholic parish serving the small town of Melcher-Dallas and surrounding rural areas in Marion County, Iowa. The parish gathers at 204 SW D Street under the pastoral care of Fr. Kevin Anstey. Visitors are warmly welcomed at any of the parish's regular Masses, which include Wednesday and Friday morning Masses, a Saturday vigil (seasonal time), and Sunday morning Mass.
- Address: 204 SW D Street, Melcher-Dallas, IA 50163
- Mailing: P.O. Box 277, Melcher, IA 50163-0277
- Phone: (641) 947-4981
- Email: [email protected]
Parish History
Sacred Heart Catholic Church was incorporated on October 9, 1916 under Iowa law as a Revised Domestic Non-Profit, but its roots go back a year earlier — the parish's first church was built in 1915 at the corner of Main Street and C Street in Melcher. That original building served the local Catholic community for more than half a century before it was torn down in 1969. The current church on SW D Street replaced it and remains the parish home today. Sacred Heart is the only Catholic parish in Melcher-Dallas and is part of the Diocese of Davenport. In August 2024, the parish put out a public appeal for photographs and memories of the old 1915 church — particularly any showing its stained-glass windows — reflecting a continued effort to preserve the parish's early story.
- Incorporated October 9, 1916
- Original church built 1915 at Main & C Streets
- Original church torn down 1969
- Part of the Diocese of Davenport
Sacraments
Sacred Heart celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Parishioners can contact the parish office to begin preparation for Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, or Holy Orders. Fr. Anstey is also the listed contact for anyone discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life.
- Baptism
- First Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders (contact: Fr. Kevin Anstey)
- Reconciliation
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners are invited to serve in the liturgy in several roles. Greeters welcome everyone at the door with a smile; ushers help seat worshippers, take up the collection, and hand out bulletins; altar servers assist the priest at Mass (open to children in 4th grade and older, as well as adults); lectors proclaim the readings and announcements; and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist with distributing the Eucharist at Mass and to the homebound. To volunteer, call the parish office at (641) 947-4981.
- Greeter
- Usher
- Altar Server (Grade 4+ and adults)
- Lector
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (fully initiated Catholics age 16+, nominated by pastor, appointed by bishop)
Faith Formation
Sacred Heart offers Sunday Faith Formation classes for parishioners. Classes take a break over the summer and resume each September. The parish office can provide details about registration, class times, and sacramental preparation for First Eucharist and Confirmation.
- Faith Formation classes on Sundays
- Classes resume each September
Parish Organizations
Beyond liturgical roles, Sacred Heart supports several parish organizations that bring parishioners together for service, prayer, fellowship, and the upkeep of parish property.
- Altar & Rosary Society
- Knights of Columbus
- Social Action
- Finance Council
- Building & Grounds
- Pastoral Care
Funeral Ministry
Sacred Heart walks with families through the loss of a loved one. The pastor, Fr. Kevin Anstey, meets with the family as soon as possible after a death to offer prayer, support, and to learn more about the life of the deceased. Local funeral home directors coordinate with the parish office to schedule the vigil prayer service, funeral Mass, and funeral luncheon. Church secretary Martha Reed is the parish contact for funeral arrangements.
- Pastor contact: Fr. Kevin Anstey — (641) 828-7050
- Parish secretary: Martha Reed — (641) 947-4981
- Local funeral homes coordinated with the parish: Bertrand Funeral Homes, Williams Funeral Home, Winfield Funeral Home, Pierschbacher Funeral Home
Staff & Contact
Sacred Heart's pastor is Fr. Kevin Anstey, who can be reached through the parish office at (641) 947-4981. Church secretary Martha Reed assists with parish administration, scheduling, and funeral coordination. The parish email is [email protected], on the Diocese of Davenport's email system.
- Church Secretary: Martha Reed
- Office Phone: (641) 947-4981
- Email: [email protected]
Diocese of Davenport
Sacred Heart is a parish of the Diocese of Davenport, the Roman Catholic diocese covering the southeastern quarter of Iowa. Sacred Heart is listed in GCatholic's directory under the Diocese of Davenport, with GCatholic Church ID 36019.
- Diocese: Diocese of Davenport
- GCatholic Church ID: 36019