About Saint Joseph Catholic Church · Des Moines, Iowa
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a historic parish on the east side of Des Moines, Iowa, founded in 1924 as a daughter parish of Visitation and St. Peter's to serve eastern Des Moines and parts of northern Polk County. Today it is a bilingual (English/Spanish), multi-generational parish that operates St. Joseph Catholic School (opened 1949) and an active faith formation program serving children, teens, and adults. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Des Moines and is led by Fr. Chris Fontanini, with a sizable lay staff, three deacons, and many parish ministries including Knights of Columbus Council #10980, St. Vincent de Paul, and a monthly Connection Cafe meal for the homeless.
- Established
- 1924
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Fr. Chris Fontanini
- Diocese
- Diocese of Des Moines (Bishop William M. Joensen, Ph.D.)
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a bilingual 'Family Parish' on Des Moines's east side that combines a deep 100-year history with vibrant present-day ministry. It offers three weekend Masses (including a Spanish Mass at noon), daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, a staffed Catholic school (preschool through 8th grade), and a full faith-formation program for grades 1–7, high-school teens (Serva Fidem), and adults (OCIA / 'Adults Becoming Catholic' fellowship). Parishioners can also join active groups such as Knights of Columbus Council #10980, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the monthly Connection Cafe meal for the homeless, music and liturgical ministries, and weekly prayer groups for men and women.
Mass times at Saint Joseph Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 7:15 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. (English)
- Sunday 9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. (English)
- Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. (Español / Spanish)
- Also available by appointment
Parish History
St. Joseph Catholic Church was founded in 1924 to serve the eastern area of Des Moines and parts of northern Polk County, the daughter parish of Visitation and St. Peter's. Bishop Thomas Drumm announced the new parish that summer and appointed Fr. Francis P. Larkin as its first pastor. Over the past century the parish has built three successive churches, a parish school, and a wide range of ministries; it gave rise to Saints John and Paul in Altoona in 1983. The parish describes itself today as a 'Family Parish' continuing a strong commitment to worship, grow, serve, connect, and give.
- 1924 — Parish founded; first Mass celebrated Oct. 13, 1924 (Columbus Day) with nine families
- 1933 — Fr. Aspinwall becomes second pastor and serves 36 years
- 1949 — St. Joseph Catholic School opens on Sept. 19 with 129 students
- 1955 — Second church dedicated April 30 (the day before the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker)
- 1977 — Second church destroyed by fire on Nov. 8
- 1978 — Groundbreaking for the third (current) church on June 10
- 1979 — Bishop Maurice J. Dingman dedicates the new church on March 18
- 1981 — Mortgage burned on April 25
- 1983 — Saints John and Paul, Altoona, becomes an independent daughter parish
- 2022 — Fr. Chris Fontanini assigned as pastor and canonical administrator of the school
The First Church (1924)
Fr. Larkin purchased three lots at East 33rd Street and Easton Boulevard, across from Grandview Park, for almost $11,000. The property included a barn, sheds, and a Civil War–era house that became the rectory. A portable sectional building served as the first church and was dedicated October 13, 1924; Miss Kitty Lehan of St. Ambrose donated the white altar.
- First baptism: Thomas Demar, Oct. 13, 1924
- First wedding: John Papiani and Rose Raymond, Jan. 6, 1925
- First First Communions: May 1, 1927 (8 boys and 11 girls)
- First collection at dedication: $225.58
- St. Ambrose Cathedral raised $1,241.31 in two October 1924 collections to help launch the parish
The Second Church (1955–1977)
By the early 1950s the original church was too small. Bishop Daly authorized a new church in 1954; during construction liturgies moved to the parish hall. The second church was dedicated April 30, 1955, cost approximately $140,000, and measured 177 by 44 feet in steel and masonry. Fr. Aspinwall commissioned three Italian-made white carved-wood murals illustrating 'happy work, happy family, and happy death' — the three traditional patronages of St. Joseph.
- Destroyed by fire November 8, 1977
- Parish temporarily worshiped at Iles Grandview Funeral Home, then at the school gymnasium
- Donations of $90,000 (Catholic and non-Catholic) aided rebuilding
The Third (Current) Church (1979–present)
Groundbreaking was June 10, 1978 and Bishop Maurice J. Dingman dedicated the new church on March 18, 1979, with Fr. Patrick Bacon as pastor, Fr. David Polich as associate, and former pastors present. More than 900 people attended the dedication. The new church seats 700 and incorporates the tabernacle, six stained-glass windows, the Stations of the Cross, the crucifix (from Mercy Hospital), Holy Family statues (from the old Dowling Chapel), and a statue of St. Joseph in the garden behind a stained-glass window.
- Cost: $1,000,000
- Building fund raised ~$135,000 in pledges
- Mortgage burned April 25, 1981
Clergy & Staff
St. Joseph is pastored by Fr. Chris Fontanini and served by Fr. Oscar Rosales Hernández (parochial vicar) and three deacons: Bill Hare, Marv Brewer (retired), and Randy Lynch. Fr. Fontanini, a Des Moines native and Dowling Catholic High School alumnus, was ordained in 1997 and has served across the Diocese of Des Moines before being assigned to St. Joseph in 2022. The parish office is staffed by Leasa Garrett (Business Manager), Krystelle Cortes-Ryan (Bookkeeper), Lisa St. Arnold (Parish Secretary), Jonathan Arriola (Faith Formation Director), Erin Lacey (Music Ministry), Jilly Kelly (Custodian), and Tyler Maldonado (Maintenance).
- Fr. Chris Fontanini — Pastor ([email protected])
- Fr. Oscar Rosales Hernández — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Bill Hare — [email protected]
- Deacon Marv Brewer — Retired
- Deacon Randy Lynch — [email protected]
- Leasa Garrett — Business Manager
- Jonathan Arriola — Faith Formation Director (515-402-4733)
- Krystelle Cortes-Ryan — Bookkeeper
- Lisa St. Arnold — Parish Secretary
- Erin Lacey — Music Ministry
- Jilly Kelly — Custodian
- Tyler Maldonado — Maintenance
- Mrs. Beneke — School Principal
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Joseph's Faith Formation program walks with parishioners from childhood through adulthood. Grades 1–7 meet in the school on Wednesday evenings from 6:15 to 7:30, September through April, with drop-off and pick-up at the old school gymnasium. Confirmation preparation uses the Chosen curriculum by Ascension Press, with the sacrament conferred in the spring of the second year. High-school teens can join Serva Fidem small groups paired with a Catholic mentor. Adults seeking full initiation or full communion in the Catholic Church participate in OCIA through the 'Adults Becoming Catholic' (ABC) fellowship, which meets Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Center.
- Grades 1–7 — Wednesdays 6:15–7:30 p.m., Sept.–April
- Chosen (Ascension Press) curriculum with scripture study and Theology of the Body lessons
- Confirmation conferred in spring of 2nd year
- Serva Fidem — high-school small groups (contact Caroline Schultz, [email protected], 515-205-2308)
- OCIA / Adults Becoming Catholic — Tuesdays 6:30 p.m., Parish Center
- Spanish Baptism Class — first Monday of each month, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
- Director of Faith Formation: Jonathan Arriola (515-402-4733)
St. Joseph Catholic School
St. Joseph Catholic School opened its doors on September 19, 1949, and currently serves preschool through 8th grade on the parish campus. The school has been staffed since its founding in partnership with religious sisters — beginning with the Sisters of the Adoration of the Most Precious Blood from O'Fallon, Missouri — and today combines modern academics with intentional faith formation, weekly Masses, and a missions program. The parish school has recently been renovated and operates under the canonical administration of Fr. Chris Fontanini.
- Opened Sept. 19, 1949 with 129 students
- Preschool through 8th grade
- Weekly Mass and missions program are integral to the school day
- Principal: Mrs. Beneke ([email protected])
- School website: school.stjosephcatholicdsm.org
Liturgical & Music Ministries
Parishioners serve the liturgy as Altar Servers (trained in 4th grade directly by Fr. Chris, with three scheduled per weekend Mass), Eucharistic Ministers (commissioned after training), Lectors & Readers, Sacristans, and Hospitality Ministers who provide 'radical welcome' as greeters and ushers. The Music Ministry Team leads the assembly in song, seeking cantors, accompanists, support singers, and instrumentalists who have a teachable spirit and a servant's heart.
- Altar Servers — trained in 4th grade by Fr. Chris
- Eucharistic Ministers — commissioned
- Lectors & Readers
- Sacristans
- Hospitality Ministers — greeters, ushers, information booth
- Music Ministry — contact Erin Lacey ([email protected])
Service, Outreach & Charitable Works
Outreach is a core part of parish life. St. Joseph hosts Knights of Columbus Council #10980 (Catholic men 18+, $30/year dues, meets 3rd Thursday) and a St. Vincent de Paul conference that grows spiritually through works of charity and justice. Once a month the parish prepares and serves a meal at Connection Cafe in downtown Des Moines (4th Friday, except December). The Homebound Ministry brings Holy Communion to the sick and shut-ins, the Funeral Hospitality Committee plans and serves meals after funerals, and the Respect Life group advocates for life issues. Parishioners also host Coffee and Donuts after Sunday Masses on a rotating basis.
- Knights of Columbus Council #10980 — 3rd Thursday of the month
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Connection Cafe — 4th Friday of each month (except December)
- Homebound Ministry — Holy Communion visits
- Funeral Hospitality Committee
- Respect Life
- Coffee & Donuts fellowship after Sunday Masses
Prayer Groups & Devotions
Beyond the Sunday and weekday Mass schedule, the parish supports two longstanding small-group prayer gatherings: the Saturday Men's Prayer Group, which meets each Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. in the Parish Center, and the Ladies Matthew 18:20 Prayer Group, which gathers every other Sunday in members' homes. Both are open to new participants.
- Saturday Men's Prayer Group — Saturdays 7:30 a.m., Parish Center (Deacon Bill)
- Ladies Matthew 18:20 Prayer Group — every other Sunday in members' homes (Sonya)
Calendar & Notable Annual Events
The parish calendar includes weekly faith formation classes, monthly service commitments, and several large community events each year. Recurring annual highlights include the Blue & Gold Gala, the Rosary Fall Vendor Fair, St. Joseph's Rosary Community Garage Sale (with two donation drop-off days), and the Welcome Back Ice Cream Social each fall.
- Blue & Gold Gala (annual fundraiser)
- Rosary Fall Vendor Fair
- St. Joseph's Rosary Community Garage Sale
- Welcome Back Ice Cream Social (late August)
- Serva Fidem Retreat for high-school teens
- Ad Astra teen event
Becoming a Parishioner
New parishioners are welcomed through an easy online registration form on the parish website, available in English and Spanish. From there, parishioners are encouraged to register for Faith Formation, join a ministry or service group, and connect with one of the prayer groups or councils. The parish's mission statement — 'Together, we are St. Joseph: a healthy, growing, and welcoming faith community that brings people to Christ' — frames the welcome.
- Online registration form (English and Spanish) at stjosephcatholicdsm.org
- Mass & Confession Times page with current schedule
- Online giving via the 'I'm New' tab
- Parish Office open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Friday until 1:00 p.m. in summer)
Visit, Contact & Hours
The parish is located at 3300 Easton Blvd., Des Moines, IA 50317 — on the east side of the city across from Grandview Park. The Parish Office can be reached at 515-266-2226 or [email protected] and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with summer Friday hours ending at 1:00 p.m.
- Address: 3300 Easton Blvd., Des Moines, IA 50317
- Phone: 515-266-2226
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Fri until 1 p.m. in summer)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis P. Larkin1924–1933
First pastor; bought land across from Grandview Park for ~$11,000; oversaw the dedication of the first (portable) church on Oct. 13, 1924.
- Rev. Aspinwall1933–1969
Second pastor; served 36 years; oversaw the building of the second church (dedicated 1955), the school (1949), and grew the parish from 60 to more than 850 families; earned the parish the nickname 'Family Parish.'
- Rev. Patrick Bacon
Pastor at the time of the third church's groundbreaking (June 10, 1978) and dedication (March 18, 1979).
- Rev. David Polich
Associate pastor in 1978–1979 during construction of the third church.
- Rev. Chris Fontanini2022–present
Current pastor; also canonical administrator of St. Joseph Catholic School.