About Saint Peter · Council Bluffs, Iowa
St. Peter's Catholic Church is a historic parish in Council Bluffs, Iowa, founded in 1887 by German Catholic immigrants who had previously worshipped at the predominantly Irish St. Francis Xavier Parish. Located at 1 Bluff Street overlooking the city, the parish worships in a late-19th-century Gothic Revival church designed by Rock Island, Illinois architect Mathias Schnell and built by Wickham Brothers for $11,126. Long served by Benedictine monks from St. Benedict's Abbey in Atchison, Kansas, St. Peter's came under the Diocese of Des Moines in 1975 and today continues a strong liturgical and community life under Father Jacob Epstein, with daily and weekend Masses, a religious education program for grades K–10, OCIA (formerly RCIA), and a wide array of parish organizations including the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, and the long-standing Altar & Rosary Society.
- Established
- 1887
- Patron
- Saint Peter (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Father Jacob Epstein
- Diocese
- Diocese of Des Moines
Why belong here
St. Peter's offers a rare combination of historic beauty and active parish life in the heart of Council Bluffs — a National Register-listed Gothic Revival church where daily Mass, weekend Masses in three Sunday options, and a robust reconciliation schedule make sacramental life accessible. Strong lay organizations (Altar & Rosary Society since 1888, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters), a full religious-education program for grades K–10, OCIA formation for adults, and a wide range of Mass ministries give every parishioner a way to serve. Under Father Jacob Epstein and a long pastoral staff, the parish continues the generosity and community spirit of its 1887 German founders.
Mass times at Saint Peter
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 – 3:45 p.m.
- Sunday: 7:00 – 7:45 a.m.
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Lent: Thursdays 3:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Exposition), with 5:30 p.m. Mass, 8:45 p.m. Benediction, 9:00 p.m. close
- Lent: Fridays following 5:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross — Adoration and Benediction
Parish History
St. Peter's was conceived in December 1884 when a group of German Catholic women of Council Bluffs decided to raise money for their own parish. Each member contributed 25 cents a month to a society placed under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary. With approval from Bishop Henry Cosgrove of the Diocese of Davenport and Rev. B.P. McMenomy of St. Francis Xavier, and with priests supplied by the Benedictines of St. Benedict's Abbey in Atchison, Kansas, the parish was officially organized on April 25, 1887. Designed by Mathias Schnell and built by Wickham Brothers for $11,126, the Gothic Revival church has been in continuous use ever since.
- Founded April 25, 1887
- First pastor: Father (Brother) Adolph Wesseling, O.S.B.
- Long served by Benedictines from Atchison, Kansas (1887–1975)
- Joined the new Diocese of Des Moines in 1911
- Merged with St. Francis Xavier Parish in 1974; diocesan clergy took over in 1975
- Church and rectory placed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 24, 1992
Architecture & Historic Buildings
The church is an almost classic example of late-19th-century Gothic Revival design, written up as 'pure Gothic style' by its founder. The brick rectory next door was completed in 1895, also by Wickham Brothers. The parish social hall was added in April 1999 — financed through sacrificial gifts and the Father Michael H. Irwin Memorial Fund — and an office addition was completed in summer 2006. The interior of the church was carefully restored in 2001 under Father Chuck Kottas.
- Gothic Revival church (1887) — architect Mathias Schnell; builder Wickham Brothers; cost $11,126
- Brick rectory (1895) — also by Wickham Brothers
- Frame schoolhouse (1888) and convent (end of 1888) — replaced in 1924 by a brick combination building
- Parish social hall (April 1999)
- Office addition (summer 2006)
- Interior restoration (2001) under Father Chuck Kottas — statues and frescoes re-emphasized
- Accessible entrance added to the historic church
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
St. Peter's offers daily Mass Tuesday through Friday and three Sunday Masses to serve the whole Council Bluffs community. Reconciliation is heard weekly before both the Saturday Vigil and the earliest Sunday Mass, with appointments always available. The full schedule is published on the parish website and in the weekly bulletin.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday Masses: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. (noon)
- Weekday Masses: Tuesday 12:00 p.m.; Wednesday 8:00 a.m.; Thursday 12:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m.
- Holy Day schedule: 6:00 p.m. Vigil, 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m.
- Confessions: Saturday 3:00–3:45 p.m.; Sunday 7:00–7:45 a.m.; or by appointment
Lent & Holy Week Devotions
During Lent, St. Peter's gathers for special evenings of prayer, teaching, and fellowship. Thursdays feature Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; Fridays walk the Stations of the Cross; Tuesdays are a parish-wide night of Mass, Stations, soup supper, and a teaching by Father Jacob. A live-acted Stations of the Cross is offered in some years.
- Thursday Adoration during Lent: 3:00–9:00 p.m., with 5:30 p.m. Mass and 8:45 p.m. Benediction
- Friday Stations of the Cross: 5:30 p.m., followed by Adoration and Benediction
- Tuesday Parish Night: 5:30 p.m. Mass, 6:00 p.m. Stations, 6:45 p.m. Soup Supper, 7:00 p.m. Presentation
- Rite of Election for Southwest Iowa OCIA catechumens and candidates, hosted at St. Peter's
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Peter's parish school of religion welcomes children in grades K–10 each Wednesday evening during the academic year, with materials and methods approved by the Diocese of Des Moines and in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Parents are recognized as the primary formators of their children's faith. Two-year Confirmation preparation begins in 9th grade; First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are prepared for in their own track.
- Grades K–8: Wednesdays 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Grades 9–10: Wednesdays 7:15–8:15 p.m.
- First Reconciliation / First Communion preparation track
- Confirmation Prep Year 1 and Year 2
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Vacation Bible School
- Director of Religious Education: Heather Olson ([email protected])
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
St. Peter's offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly known as RCIA) for anyone discerning full communion with the Catholic Church — whether unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or baptized Catholic but never confirmed or made First Eucharist. The journey of formation, discernment, and instruction begins in September each year; those interested are invited to call the parish office.
- Open to unbaptized adults, baptized Christians, and Catholics needing Eucharist/Confirmation
- Classes begin in September
- Contact: parish office, 712-318-3030
Mass Ministries
Lay faithful exercise a wide range of liturgical ministries at every Mass. Music ministry invites singers, pianists, guitarists, and organists to lead worship at all Masses, including Sundays, Feast Days, and sacramental celebrations. Training is provided for liturgical roles, and all ministers must be fully initiated, practicing Catholics.
- Music Ministry (choir, cantors, instrumentalists)
- Ushers / Greeters
- Altar Servers (5th grade or older, post-First Communion/Confirmation)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC)
- Lectors
Parish Organizations
Lay societies are at the heart of parish life at St. Peter's. The Altar & Rosary Society — founded as St. Anne's Altar Society in November 1888 — is the oldest lay organization in the parish and continues to meet the first Thursday of every month from March through December. Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters of America offer additional fellowship, service, and spiritual opportunities.
- Altar & Rosary Society (St. Anne's, est. November 1888) — women 18+, $5/year dues; meetings first Thursday, March–December, 6:00 p.m. in the Social Hall, opening with the Rosary
- Knights of Columbus
- Catholic Daughters of America
Parish Councils & Committees
A network of councils and committees collaborates with the pastor in the pastoral, financial, liturgical, educational, and physical-plant life of the parish. The Parish Pastoral Council serves as an advisory body of ten members serving four-year terms.
- Parish Pastoral Council (10 members, four-year terms) — meets first Tuesday, 7:15 p.m., conference room
- Finance Council
- Liturgy Committee — meets first Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., social hall
- Religious Education Committee — meets first Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., social hall
- Buildings & Grounds Committee
- Social Concerns Committee
- Parish Life Committee
Staff
St. Peter's is served by a small, dedicated staff led by the pastor, with a director of religious education coordinating faith formation for children and youth, an office manager handling parish administration, and a maintenance team caring for the historic buildings.
- Father Jacob Epstein — Pastor
- Deacon Pat Snook & Shelley Snook
- Heather Olson — Director of Religious Education
- Tracy Carlson — Office Manager
- Robert Beck — Maintenance
- Parish phone: 712-318-3030
Visit, Connect & Get Involved
Newcomers are warmly welcomed at St. Peter's. The parish publishes a weekly bulletin (with both print and PDF/online issues), maintains an active Facebook page and Instagram presence, and lists many concrete ways to serve through Mass ministries, organizations, and committees. Becoming a parishioner is as simple as filling out a registration form through the parish office.
- Address: 1 Bluff Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
- Phone: 712-318-3030
- Office email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.saintpeterscb.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stpeterscouncilbluffs/
- Weekly bulletin archive available online
- Map & directions: /map page on the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father (Brother) Adolph Wesseling, O.S.B.1887–
Benedictine from St. Benedict's Abbey, Atchison, Kansas; organized the parish and oversaw construction of the church and original school/convent.
- Father Michael H. Irwin
Former pastor; died June 1993. The parish social hall (completed 1999) was partly financed through the Father Michael H. Irwin Memorial Fund.
- Father Chuck Kottas
Directed the 2001 interior restoration of the church, recovering its original spiritual ambiance and embellishing the statues and frescoes.
- Father Jacob Epstein
Current pastor; also named new President of Saint Albert Schools (announced 2026 in St. Patrick bulletin).