About Sacred Heart · Monticello, Iowa
Sacred Heart Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Monticello, Iowa, founded in 1868 and serving the Jones County community from its twin-spired brick church built in 1914. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Dubuque and, since July 2016, has been linked with St. Luke Parish in Hopkinton under a single pastor, Rev. Isaac K. A. Boadu. The parish runs an active Catholic school (Sacred Heart Catholic School, preschool through 6th grade), a religious education program using the 'Alive in Christ' series, a Council 1821 chapter of the Knights of Columbus, and the Sacred Heart Parish Guild — and in 2018 marked its 150th anniversary (sesquicentennial) with Archbishop Jackels presiding at a special Mass.
- Established
- 1868
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Isaac K. A. Boadu
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Dubuque
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers the full rhythm of a small-town Iowa Catholic parish — Sunday and daily Mass, Saturday confession, a parish school where students attend weekly Mass and ministries in grades K–6, an 'Alive in Christ' religious education program for grade-school youth, and visible parish life through the Knights of Columbus Council 1821 (chartered 1916), the Parish Guild, and signature fundraisers like the Lenten Fish Fry, Fall Festival, Fair Parking, and the Sacred Heart School Gala. As a 150-year-old congregation linked since 2016 with St. Luke in Hopkinton, it pairs deep local roots with the resources of the Archdiocese of Dubuque.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM (Sacred Heart)
- Or by appointment
History of Sacred Heart Parish
Sacred Heart was organized in 1868 when Bishop John Hennessy sent Father Daniel Cogan to Monticello to gather a congregation of Irish pioneers — many of whom had come to work on the Dubuque–Southwestern Railway — and to build a church. The first frame church was destroyed in a windstorm on October 8, 1878; Father P. J. O'Connor then built a rock church on five acres he bought in 1880 on West 7th Street. As the town grew, that location became inconvenient, and in 1913 Father George Hauck was sent to procure a more central site. The present twin-spired brick church, designed by Harry Netcott and built by Anton Zwack, was completed in time for its first Mass on Christmas Day 1914 and dedicated June 20, 1915. A parish school followed in 1922, a high school building in 1959, and the parish celebrated its 150th anniversary with Archbishop Jackels on September 9, 2018. The parish has been linked with St. Luke in Hopkinton under one pastor since July 2016.
- 1857 — first Catholic missions established at Anamosa and Monticello, attached to Temple Hill
- 1868 — Father Daniel Cogan sent to organize the congregation; frame church built
- October 8, 1878 — frame church destroyed by a windstorm
- 1880 — rock church built on West 7th Street (cornerstone still visible at 535 W 7th St.)
- July 13, 1914 — construction of present brick church begins (architect Harry Netcott, builder Anton Zwack, $40,000)
- December 25, 1914 — first Mass in the new church; parish then 65 families
- June 20, 1915 — church dedicated
- September 4, 1922 — Sacred Heart School opens with 108 students in grades 1–9; staffed by four Sisters of Charity from Mount Carmel, Dubuque
- 1923–24 — 10th grade added; full high school curriculum; first graduates Janice Schneider and Marcus McAleer
- August 30, 1959 — new Sacred Heart High School building dedicated by Archbishop Leo Binz
- June 1, 1970 — high school closes; elementary school continues
- August 1987 — original 1922 school building demolished
- July 2016 — Sacred Heart linked with St. Luke Parish, Hopkinton, under one pastor
- September 9, 2018 — Sesquicentennial Anniversary Mass with Archbishop Jackels
Parish Leadership & Staff
Sacred Heart is currently served by Pastor Rev. Isaac K. A. Boadu, who also serves as pastor of linked St. Luke Parish in Hopkinton, and by Deacon Ed Goldsmith. Parish operations are coordinated by Secretary Kristy Hoeger; the school is led by Principal Kari Meyer with Secretary Aimee Clemmons; and faith formation is coordinated by Leanna Manternach. The parish office is at 210 E 3rd Street, Monticello.
- Pastor: Rev. Isaac K. A. Boadu
- Deacon: Ed Goldsmith
- Parish Secretary: Kristy Hoeger
- School Principal: Kari Meyer
- School Secretary: Aimee Clemmons
- Religious Education Coordinator: Leanna Manternach
Sacraments
Baptism and marriage are scheduled through the parish office. The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM at Sacred Heart and by appointment. The parish publishes a Sacred Heart Confirmation Handbook for those preparing for Confirmation.
- Baptism — call the Parish Office to schedule
- Weddings — call the Parish Office to schedule
- Reconciliation — Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM at Sacred Heart, or by appointment
- Confirmation — Sacred Heart Confirmation Handbook published annually
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Sacred Heart Catholic School, located at 234 North Sycamore Street in Monticello, has been part of the Monticello community for more than 87 years. It serves children from age 3 through sixth grade; its preschool program is certified by the Iowa Department of Education and participates in the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SWVPP), offering free preschool to qualifying four-year-olds. The K–6 program is also state-certified. Curriculum covers religion, reading, math, science, social studies, physical education, human growth and values, global education, technology, music, and art, with weekly Mass and ministry participation for grades K–6. School Mass is held Thursdays at 10:45 AM, and families and community members are welcome to attend.
- Preschool (3-year-old and 4-year-old programs, including SWVPP)
- Aftercare before and after school for preschool–kindergarten
- 1:1 Chromebooks grades 3–6; iPads/tablets grades K–2
- K–6th grade buddy system
- Specialist classes: music, art, PE, band (5th/6th)
- Weekly school Mass on Thursdays at 10:45 AM
- School activities include Lego League, a student news team, and 'Adopt a Calf'
Religious Education & Faith Formation
The parish's Religious Education program uses the 'Alive in Christ' series, a catechetical process approved for use in the Archdiocese of Dubuque that 'intentionally mirrors the Divine Pedagogy' to form Catholic identity and lead children and families into a life of discipleship. Classes are held on Wednesdays; if Monticello Schools are cancelled, religious education classes are cancelled as well. The parish publishes parent and student handbooks (including a 2025–26 edition) along with a Sacred Heart Confirmation Handbook.
- Curriculum: ALIVE IN CHRIST (Archdiocese of Dubuque approved)
- Classes held Wednesdays
- Cancellation notices posted on the Parish Facebook Page, KCRG, KWWL, and the school door
- Goals: prayer, informed Catholics, conversion, faith through service, participation in liturgy
- Sacred Heart Religious Education Handbook and Parent Handbook (2025–26)
- Sacred Heart Confirmation Handbook
Parish Groups & Ministries
Sacred Heart's lay-leadership structure includes a Parish Guild, Pastoral Council, and Finance Council. The Knights of Columbus Council 1821 was chartered December 12, 1916 and celebrated its own centennial in 2016 with a Mass and reception in Newman Hall; current leadership lists Grand Knight Ryan Sperfslage, Financial Secretary Dean Oswald, Deputy Grand Knight AJ Wink, Treasurer Jeff Monck, Warden Bob Eilers, and Trustees Tony Butterworth, Ron Buscher, and Thomas Beadle. Membership is open to practicing Catholic men 18 and older.
- Knights of Columbus Council 1821 (chartered 12/12/1916)
- Sacred Heart Parish Guild
- Pastoral Council
- Finance Council
Annual Events & Fundraisers
Sacred Heart and St. Luke host a number of annual community and fundraising events organized largely by the Sacred Heart Guild. The Fall Festival (typically September) features meals such as smoked pork chops, party and baked potatoes, homemade applesauce, green beans, pasta salad, and a kids' meal plus country store, bake sale, raffle, and children's games. The Lenten Fish Fry is held at the Monticello Berndes Center with a silent auction, country store, and children's games. The Sacred Heart School Gala, traditionally held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, is the major fundraiser for the preschool–4th-grade school. During the Jones County Fair, volunteers staff the Sacred Heart parking lot for concert parking as another parish fundraiser.
- Fall Festival — typically September
- Lenten Fish Fry — one Friday during Lent, at the Monticello Berndes Center
- Sacred Heart School Gala — Saturday before Thanksgiving
- Jones County Fair Parking — Sacred Heart lot, organized by the Parish Guild
Linked Parish: St. Luke, Hopkinton
Since July 2016, Sacred Heart has been linked with St. Luke Parish in Hopkinton under a single pastor, Rev. Isaac K. A. Boadu. St. Luke was founded in 1922 by German and Irish immigrants as a mission of Immaculate Conception Parish, Sand Springs; the first Mass was celebrated November 22, 1922 in the basement of the Phillips Hotel, offered by Rev. Nicholas U. Keffeler of Stone City, with Archbishop James J. Keane preaching to twelve families. The current St. Luke church was dedicated October 28, 1984 under Rev. Wilfred C. Johannes. In 1997 St. Luke linked with St. John Parish, Delhi, and in 2000 many parishioners from the closing Immaculate Conception, Sand Springs joined St. Luke. The St. Luke parish office is at 206 SE 1st St., Hopkinton (563-926-2613).
- Linked with Sacred Heart since July 2016
- Founded 1922 by German and Irish immigrants as a mission of Immaculate Conception, Sand Springs
- Current church dedicated October 28, 1984 under Rev. Wilfred C. Johannes
- Approx. 950 Baptisms, 275 weddings, and 250 funerals since founding; two priests and four women religious have come from the parish
Contact & Visit
The Sacred Heart Parish Office is at 210 E 3rd Street, Monticello, IA 52310 (319-465-5944). The parish church stands at 302 N Sycamore Street, and Sacred Heart Catholic School is at 234 N Sycamore Street (319-465-4605). Online and paper parish-registration forms, an online contact form, and parish bulletins are available through the website sacredheartstluke.com; the parish webmaster can be reached at [email protected]. Daily Mass and confession schedules are published in the parish bulletin insert.
- Parish Office: 210 E 3rd St, Monticello, IA 52310 — 319-465-5944
- Church: 302 N Sycamore St., Monticello, IA 52310
- School Office: 234 N Sycamore St., Monticello, IA — 319-465-4605
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Deacon email: [email protected]
- Webmaster: [email protected]
- Website: www.sacredheartstluke.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Daniel Cogan1868
Sent by Bishop John Hennessy to organize the congregation and build the first frame church.
- Fr. James Walsh
- Fr. J. P. O'Dowd
- Fr. P. J. O'Connorfrom c. 1880
Purchased five acres on the northeast edge of town and oversaw the building of the rock church on West 7th Street (cornerstone dated 1880).
- Fr. John Tobin
- Fr. John McCormick
- Fr. George Hauckfrom 1913
Came from Fillmore, oversaw construction of the present brick church (1914) and promoted plans for the parish school.
- Fr. Anton Lorenz
- Fr. Herman Dietz
- Msgr. Eugene Lorenz
- Fr. Joseph Kirk
- Fr. Fred Bahning
- Fr. Justin Kane
- Fr. Thomas Braak
- Fr. James Chappell
- Msgr. Neil Tobin
- Fr. Donald Schmitt
- Fr. Keith Birch
- Fr. Paul Baldwinto c. 2018
Listed as pastor in 2018 sesquicentennial history; immediately preceded the current pastor.
- Rev. Isaac K. A. Boadu
Current pastor; also serves as pastor of linked St. Luke Parish, Hopkinton.