About Saint Patrick · Missouri Valley, Iowa
St. Patrick Parish is a Catholic parish in Missouri Valley, Iowa, belonging to the Diocese of Des Moines. The parish traces its roots to 1867, when pioneer Catholic families organized to build the area's first church, and it has served Harrison County continuously for more than 150 years. The current pressed-brick church, erected in 1892, still stands at 215 N. 7th Street and remains the spiritual home of the parish. Weekend and weekday Masses are celebrated on site, with an additional weekly Mass offered at Long View Nursing Home for residents who cannot come to church.
- Established
- 1867
- Patron
- Saint Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Jim Kirby
- Diocese
- Diocese of Des Moines
Why belong here
St. Patrick is a long-established parish where the same pressed-brick church built in 1892 still anchors the community, and where individual parishioners are known by name. A small but active schedule of weekend and weekday Masses, regular Reconciliation, outreach to the homebound at Long View Nursing Home, a Faith Formation program (with Confirmation and First Eucharist preparation), and the parish-run Houdek Center for community events together make the parish a true neighbor in Missouri Valley. It is also linked into the wider Catholic community through its support of St. Albert Catholic Schools in Council Bluffs.
Mass times at Saint Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 1st Saturday of each month, 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. at St. Patrick
- 2nd Saturday of each month, 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. at St. Anne (Logan)
- By appointment
About St. Patrick Parish
St. Patrick Parish is a Catholic parish in Missouri Valley, Iowa, within the Diocese of Des Moines. The community traces its origins to the pioneer families of the late 1860s and worships in a pressed-brick church built in 1892. Weekend Masses are offered Saturday evening and Sunday morning, with weekday Masses on Tuesday and Thursday, and a weekly Mass at Long View Nursing Home for the homebound.
- 215 N. 7th Street, Missouri Valley, IA 51555
- Phone: (712) 642-2611
- Email: [email protected]
- Diocese of Des Moines
Parish History
The parish's story begins before 1867, when Catholic families in Missouri Valley had no regular worship and gathered only when a passing priest stopped on his way to Magnolia. In 1867 the pioneers built the first church on the corner of First and Huron Streets, already numbering about one hundred families, and quickly had to double its size. Father P.J. Moran (Morrin) became the parish's first resident pastor in 1882, and under his successors the parish grew enough to build the present pressed-brick church, dedicated Christmas Day 1892. The parish built a parochial school in 1915, helped establish St. Albert Catholic High School in Council Bluffs in 1962, and added the Houdek Center parish hall in 1981.
- 1867 — first church built (First & Huron Streets)
- 1882 — first resident pastor, Fr. P.J. Moran
- 1892 — cornerstone laid June; first Masses Christmas Day
- 1915 — parochial school built under Fr. M.F. Nolan
- 1962 — helped found St. Albert Catholic Schools
- 1981 — St. Patrick Houdek Center dedicated May 17, 1981
Sacraments
Parishioners are asked to contact the parish office or speak with Fr. Jim Kirby after Mass to begin preparation for any of the sacraments. First Communion and Confirmation are prepared through the Faith Formation program; the homebound can request Communion visits.
- Baptism — contact the parish office or see Fr. Jim after Mass
- Eucharist (First Communion) — through Faith Formation
- Confirmation — through Faith Formation, with Fr. Jim Kirby
- Marriage — contact the parish office and introduce yourself to Fr. Jim after Mass
- Anointing of the Sick — contact Fr. Jim or the parish office
- Communion to the homebound — contact Annette (402-63xx-5064) or the parish office
Faith Formation
Faith Formation (formerly called REP, Religious Education Program) is the parish's religious-education program for children and youth, including preparation for First Eucharist and Confirmation. The program is led by Faith Formation Director Carol Poole, with Fr. Jim Kirby as the priest overseeing sacramental preparation.
- Faith Formation Director — Carol Poole
- Priest — Fr. Jim Kirby (712-644-2520, leave a message)
- Office — 215 N. 7th St., Missouri Valley, IA 51555 — (712) 642-2611
Clergy & Pastoral Staff
St. Patrick is currently served by Fr. Jim Kirby, who is listed as pastor on both the parish's Faith Formation page and the Saint Albert Catholic Schools 'Our Parishes' directory. A previous pastor, Rev. Raphael Masabakhwa, was assigned to medical leave effective July 13, 2023, in an announcement by Bishop William Joensen of the Diocese of Des Moines. Annette coordinates visits to the homebound and those hospitalized.
- Rev. Jim Kirby — Pastor
- Carol Poole — Faith Formation Director
- Annette — Homebound / hospital visits coordinator
Wider Catholic Community
St. Patrick shares pastoral arrangements with St. Anne Parish in Logan (Confession is heard on alternating Saturdays at each church). The parish also participates in the regional St. Albert Catholic Schools system in Council Bluffs, which it helped establish in 1962; parishioners continue to support St. Albert financially and through students who attend.
- St. Anne, Logan — sister parish (shared Confession schedule)
- St. Albert Catholic Schools, Council Bluffs — supported since 1962
Facilities: The Houdek Center
The St. Patrick Houdek Center is the parish's social hall, dedicated on May 17, 1981, and built with a bequest from the late Mabel Houdek. It sits east of the church on the site of the former rectory and is physically connected to the church, and serves as a gathering place for parish and community events.
- Dedicated May 17, 1981
- Built on the site of the former rectory
- Connected directly to the church
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father P.J. Moran (Morrin)1882–1890
First resident pastor of St. Patrick Parish.
- Father J.F. Kemper1890–1891
Purchased the residence and lot at Seventh and Huron Streets for the parish.
- Father T.J. Mullen1891–c.1908
Built the present pressed-brick church, dedicated Christmas Day 1892; served 17 fruitful years.
- Father M.F. Nolanafter 1908
Built the parochial school in 1915 and purchased the sisters' residence that year.
- Rev. Raphael Masabakhwauntil July 2023
Former pastor of St. Anne, Logan, and St. Patrick, Missouri Valley; placed on medical leave per Diocese of Des Moines assignments, July 13, 2023.
- Rev. Jim Kirbycurrent
Current pastor of St. Patrick, Missouri Valley; listed as pastor on parish Faith Formation page and on the Saint Albert Catholic Schools 'Our Parishes' page.