About Saint Patrick · Perry, Iowa
Saint Patrick Catholic Church is a historic parish serving the community of Perry, Iowa, in the Diocese of Des Moines. The parish traces its origins to 1871, when the Rev. James Brazil of Des Moines first offered Mass in the town, and the Rev. Charles Toner became its first resident pastor in 1874. The parish is known for its striking Gothic Revival stone church, designed by architect George Stauduhar and completed in 1902, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Today St. Patrick's worships in both English and Spanish, runs St. Patrick Catholic School, and supports ministries including Religious Education, Youth Ministry, the Regina Guild, the Knights of Columbus, the O'Malley Foundation, St. Vincent de Paul, and the Hispanic Leadership Team — a vibrant faith community that lives out its motto of worshiping the Lord, evangelizing, and helping the poor.
- Established
- 1874
- Patron
- Saint Patrick
- Rector
- Fr. Nick Smith (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Des Moines
Why belong here
St. Patrick's is a bilingual English/Spanish Catholic community with a Mass schedule that fits almost any week — Saturday vigil, two Sunday Masses (one in Spanish), and daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, plus Eucharistic Adoration every Thursday evening and First Fridays. The parish pairs worship with strong outreach: St. Vincent de Paul helps neighbors buy groceries and meet basic needs, the Regina Guild and Knights of Columbus organize fellowship and service, and the O'Malley Foundation supports Catholic education through St. Patrick School. A Hispanic Leadership Team ensures Spanish-speaking parishioners are fully included in parish life, making this a warm, mission-driven community rooted in a National Register-listed Gothic Revival church in the heart of Perry.
Mass times at Saint Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:00 PM – 6:40 PM
Adoration times
- Thursday: 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM (every Thursday following 5:30 PM Mass)
- First Thursday of the month: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM (bilingual)
- First Friday – Spring Valley: 10:30 AM Mass
- Second Friday – Aspire: 10:30 AM Mass
- Third Friday – Eden Acres: 10:30 AM Mass
- Perry Lutheran Home: Friday Mass
About St. Patrick Catholic Church
Saint Patrick Catholic Church is a historic Roman-Latin rite parish in Perry, Iowa, belonging to the Diocese of Des Moines. The parish's mission statement is simple and direct: "Here everyone belongs," and the community exists for three reasons — to worship the Lord, to evangelize, and to help the poor. Today the parish worships in both English and Spanish, runs St. Patrick Catholic School, and supports an unusually wide range of lay ministries and outreach organizations. Visitors and parishioners are welcomed at the corner of 3rd and Lucinda Streets, where the 1902 Gothic Revival stone church stands as the heart of the community.
Parish History
Catholic life in Perry began in 1871 when the Rev. James Brazil of St. Ambrose in Des Moines offered the first Mass in town in parishioners' homes. The corner of Third and Lucinda streets was purchased in 1874, a frame church was built, and the Rev. Charles Toner became the first resident pastor. The parish then passed through three dioceses — Dubuque (until 1881), Davenport (until 1911), and finally Des Moines. A second, brick church replaced the frame structure in 1883, but by the time the Rev. James Cleary arrived in 1898 it too was overflowing, and the parish voted to build a third, larger church.
The 1902 Gothic Revival Church
The present church was designed in the Late Gothic Revival style by Rock Island architect George Stauduhar, who designed more than 200 churches between 1890 and 1928. The old church was demolished by Hollenbeck and Sons of Des Moines, the cornerstone was laid in 1901, and the new stone church was completed the following year by McCavick and Squires of Marshalltown. The 1½-story rectory, faced in Lannon stone veneer, was designed by Des Moines architect Amos Emery and built by Ringland Johnson. The church has been renovated in 1930, 1940, 1954, and 1980, with major interior work from 1993 to 1999; the slate roof was replaced around 1970 with asbestos shingles, then restored in 2010 with a new slate roof. On March 22, 2011 the church and rectory were added to the National Register of Historic Places (reference #11000138).
Parish Staff and Leadership
The parish is currently administered by Fr. Nick Smith, with a dedicated team of lay staff handling parish operations, faith formation, youth ministry, the bulletin, and the school. Pastoral and Finance Councils, plus ministry leaders for the Regina Guild, Knights of Columbus, and St. Vincent de Paul, round out parish governance.
- Fr. Nick Smith — Administrator ([email protected])
- Mike Wilson — Business Manager ([email protected])
- Kim Ash — Office Manager ([email protected])
- Meybelin Galdamez Cerna — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Thomas Fickbohm — Youth Minister ([email protected])
- Sue Leslie — Bulletin Editor
- Pastoral Council: Jim Archer
- Finance Council: John McGee
- Regina Guild: Kay Finneseth, Robin McCauley, Diane Stout, Pat Cornelius
- Knights of Columbus: Joel Hernandez
- St. Vincent de Paul: Shawn Kenney
St. Patrick Catholic School
St. Patrick's Catholic School has educated Perry-area students since 1914, when Mrs. Nora O'Malley launched the effort to bring Catholic schooling to the community — a story told by her son, Dr. George O'Malley (Class of 1929). Today the school operates at 1302 Fifth Street under Principal Kandice Pattillo, offering a faith- and values-integrated curriculum with parent partnership, leadership and service opportunities, enrichment programs, and financial-assistance options. Students are known as "Knights," reflecting the parish's school identity.
- Address: 1302 Fifth Street, Perry, IA 50220
- Phone: (515) 465-4186
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.stpatricks-perry-ia.org/
- Principal: Kandice Pattillo
- School Secretary: Katelyn McGee
- Mission: faith, academic excellence, and community integrated with Gospel values
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Religious Education is led by Director of Religious Education Meybelin Galdamez Cerna, preparing parish youth for the sacraments and ongoing catechesis. A separate Youth Ministry under Thomas Fickbohm engages middle- and high-school-aged parishioners in faith, fellowship, and service.
- Religious Education (DRE: Meybelin Galdamez Cerna)
- Youth Ministry (Thomas Fickbohm)
- Contact via parish office: (515) 465-4387
Parish Ministries and Organizations
St. Patrick's supports a robust network of lay-led ministries. The Regina Guild is the women's parish organization; the Knights of Columbus lead parish-wide service projects; the O'Malley Foundation sustains Catholic education; St. Vincent de Paul provides groceries and emergency assistance to neighbors in need; and the Hispanic Leadership Team / Ministerio Hispano supports the Spanish-speaking community through outreach, job assistance, and parish life.
- Regina Guild
- Knights of Columbus
- O'Malley Foundation
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Ministerio Hispano / Hispanic Leadership Team
- Religious Education
- Youth Ministry
Community Outreach and Pastoral Care
The parish is deeply engaged with life beyond its walls — especially in moments of community crisis. When the local Tyson pork plant closed in 2024, St. Patrick's hosted rosaries for the town, organized job fairs and resume help, and coordinated mental-health resources. The parish also takes Mass to residents who cannot easily leave their care facilities, with regular Friday Masses at Spring Valley, Aspire, Eden Acres, and the Perry Lutheran Home.
- Friday outreach Masses to care facilities
- Job-fair and resume assistance through the Hispanic Leadership Team
- St. Vincent de Paul emergency aid (groceries, basic needs)
- Bulletin, Facebook, and WhatsApp used to share job opportunities
Contact and Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach the church office by phone, email, or in person. The school has its own phone line, email, and website. Drive-up directions are simple: take Hwy. 141 West to First Street, head north to Pattee Street, then east to 3rd Street, and the church is on the corner of 3rd and Lucinda Streets.
- Parish Office Phone: (515) 465-4387
- Parish Email: [email protected]
- Parish Website: http://www.stpatsperry.com/
- School Phone: (515) 465-4186
- Address: 1312 3rd Street, Perry, IA 50220
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James Brazil1871
Offered the first Mass in Perry while stationed at St. Ambrose Church in Des Moines.
- Rev. Charles Toner1874
First resident pastor of St. Patrick Parish.
- Rev. James Cleary1898
Oversaw planning and construction of the present Gothic Revival church.
- Fr. Litto Thomas
Served as pastor at least through 2024; led parish response to community crises including the closure of the Tyson pork plant.
- Fr. Nick Smith
Current Administrator of the parish.