About Sacred Heart · Spencer, Iowa
Sacred Heart Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Spencer, Iowa, serving the seat of Clay County in northwest Iowa as part of the Diocese of Sioux City. The parish shares its faith life and school ministry with neighboring parishes in a cluster that includes St. Joseph in Hartley and St. Anthony in Primghar. Sacred Heart Catholic School (PK–6th grade) is a central part of the parish's mission of forming children in faith and virtue. Worship features a Saturday vigil Mass, a Sunday morning Mass, weekly weekday Masses, Saturday confessions, Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, and an active RCIA process for adult initiation.
- Established
- 1912
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sioux City
Why belong here
Sacred Heart Parish welcomes Catholics and visitors into a vibrant northwest Iowa faith community grounded in the Eucharist, confession, and Eucharistic Adoration. Families can grow together through Sacred Heart Catholic School (PK–6) and parish faith formation, while adults are welcomed into the RCIA process for full initiation into the Catholic Church. The parish reaches beyond its own walls through Catholic Charities, FORMED resources, and a sharing of worship with neighboring parishes in Hartley and Primghar—making it a true regional center of Catholic life in Clay and O'Brien counties.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM (Sacred Heart, Spencer)
Adoration times
- Thursday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Sacred Heart, Spencer)
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Sacred Heart, Spencer)
Welcome to Sacred Heart Parish
Sacred Heart Parish, located in Spencer, Iowa, exists to share the Gospel message of Jesus Christ and to embody His values in concern for others. The parish welcomes all who wish to learn about the Catholic faith, join the parish family, or encounter Christ in the sacraments. Visitors and members are encouraged to reach out to the parish office with questions, prayer requests, or Mass intention offerings (suggested donation $10).
- Parish office: 1111 4th Avenue West, Spencer, IA 51301
- Phone: (712) 262-3047
- Email: [email protected]
- Mass intentions offered — contact the Parish Office
Parish Life & Faith Formation
Sacred Heart Parish accompanies parishioners through every stage of the sacramental and faith journey, from family involvement in the parish school to adult initiation through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The parish publishes a weekly bulletin and maintains an online presence to keep families connected.
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
- Sacred Heart Catholic School (PK–6)
- Weekly parish bulletin (print and online)
- Flocknotes email/text sign-up for parish news
- Sacraments: Reconciliation, Eucharist, Anointing, Marriage (consult parish office)
- Funeral liturgy planning through parish office
Sacred Heart Catholic School (PK–6)
Sacred Heart Catholic School has long been a vital ministry of the parish, providing elementary faith-based education for preschool through sixth grade. The school's mission is to form students who are responsible Christians equipped with the skills and virtues to learn for a lifetime while serving God, their country, and humankind. A separate school website supports admissions, menus, calendars, and current family registration.
- Grades: PK–6
- Mission: 'To educate students prepared to be responsible Christians…'
- School contact: (712) 262-6428
- Website: spencersacredheartschool.com
- Programs: Early Childhood Center, Breakfast/Lunch Program, Diocesan Scholarship, Fall Gala fundraiser
Outreach & Online Resources
The parish links parishioners to a wider network of Catholic resources and charitable outreach. Online giving, weekly bulletins, and faith-formation resources such as FORMED make it easy for busy families and traveling parishioners to stay connected and supported in their spiritual lives.
- Online Giving / Church Support
- Online Mass livestream option
- Weekly Bulletins (print and archived online)
- FORMED — Catholic faith, movies, and studies
- Catholic Charities
- Diocese of Sioux City resources
- Flocknotes — parish email/SMS updates
Parish History & Identity
Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church was officially organized as an Iowa nonprofit corporation on March 25, 1912, under the legal name still in use today. From that founding, the parish has grown into a regional Catholic presence, partnering over time with neighboring parishes in Hartley and Primghar to provide strong sacramental and faith-formation ministry to Clay and O'Brien counties. Clergy of the Diocese of Sioux City have continuously served the parish across more than a century of life and worship.
- Incorporated March 25, 1912 as 'Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church'
- Part of the Diocese of Sioux City
- Clustered with St. Joseph (Hartley) and St. Anthony (Primghar)
- Past clergy assigned to Sacred Heart, Spencer, have included priests serving across the diocese
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach Sacred Heart by phone, email, or in person during parish office hours. The parish office handles Mass intention requests, RCIA inquiries, and general questions about parish life, sacraments, and Sacred Heart School.
- Address: 1111 4th Avenue West, P.O. Box 817, Spencer, IA 51301-0817
- Phone: (712) 262-3047
- Fax: (712) 262-4067
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.spencersacredheart.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William A. Schreiber
Served at Sacred Heart Parish, Spencer during his priestly ministry prior to later assignments; a Fort Dodge native, ordained in 1979, later retired in 2014.