About St. Ambrose · Des Moines, Iowa
St. Ambrose Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa, and the seat (cathedra) of its bishop. Located at 607 High Street in downtown Des Moines, the Romanesque Revival cathedral was designed by Chicago architect James J. Egan and dedicated in 1891. As a parish it dates to 1856, making it the oldest Catholic congregation in southwest Iowa, and the building itself has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979. Today the cathedral serves a notably diverse faith community — including long-standing Des Moines families, an active Catholic Sudanese/South Sudanese community, Karenni and Eritrean Catholics, and a robust refugee ministry — and functions both as a parish church and as the ceremonial home of the bishop of Des Moines.
- Established
- 1856
- Patron
- St. Ambrose of Milan
- Rector
- Most Rev. William M. Joensen, Ph.D. (Bishop of Des Moines, pastor of the cathedral)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Des Moines
Why belong here
St. Ambrose is the spiritual heart of the Diocese of Des Moines — a historically significant Romanesque Revival cathedral where the bishop of Des Moines regularly presides, yet one that still functions as a warm, active neighborhood parish. Worshippers are drawn by daily noon Mass, a perpetual-style rhythm of rosary, reconciliation, and a weekday Holy Hour, and by a strikingly diverse congregation that includes long-standing Iowa families alongside vibrant Catholic Sudanese, South Sudanese, Karenni, Eritrean, and Myanmar communities, supported by a dedicated refugee ministry. Add in RCIA, faith formation for children and youth, a Music Director-led liturgical program, the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Walking with Moms, and the rare chance to pray in a chapel that holds the altar used by Pope St. John Paul II during his 1979 Iowa visit, and you have a parish that is at once historic, multicultural, and deeply pastoral.
Mass times at St. Ambrose
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (in the sacristy; enter via the short hallway near the West entrance by the baptismal font)
- Saturday 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- By appointment — contact the parish office at 515-288-7411
Adoration times
- Monday 5:00 p.m. Holy Hour (per the cathedral's homepage)
History of St. Ambrose Cathedral
St. Ambrose parish was created in 1856 as the first Catholic parish in southwest Iowa, originally stretching from Fort Dodge to the Missouri border. A modest 40-by-24-foot wooden church at 6th and Locust Streets was replaced in 1865 by a larger stone Gothic Revival building, which in turn was superseded by the present Romanesque Revival cathedral at 6th and High Streets, designed by James J. Egan of Chicago, built in 1890–91, and dedicated by Bishop Henry Cosgrove on October 11, 1891. The parish was raised to cathedral status with the creation of the Diocese of Des Moines in 1911.
- 1856 — Parish established; first resident priest Fr. George Plathe; first wooden church at 6th & Locust
- 1861 — Fr. John F. Brazill appointed pastor
- 1863 — St. Ambrose grade school built; Sisters of Charity of the BVM arrive to teach in 1865
- 1865 — Second (stone, Gothic Revival, two-towered) St. Ambrose Church completed
- 1881 — Diocese of Davenport erected from southern Dubuque; St. Ambrose transferred to it
- 1890 — Construction begins on the present cathedral under Pastor Michael Flavin
- Oct. 11, 1891 — Cathedral dedicated by Bishop Henry Cosgrove
- 1905 — St. John's Parish erected from northern St. Ambrose territory
- 1906 — St. Anthony's Parish established on the south side
- Aug. 12, 1911 — Diocese of Des Moines erected; St. Ambrose designated cathedral; first bishop August Dowling
- 1927 — Rectory built (now houses parish hall, offices, and bishop's residence)
- 1929 — New pipe organ installed
- 1940s — New stained glass windows, Stations of the Cross, and 18-foot reredos by Conrad Schmitt Studios
- Jan. 12, 1972 — Hosts episcopal consecration of Walter Righter (Episcopal Diocese of Iowa)
- 1978 — Major post-Vatican II renovation under Bishop Maurice Dingman (liturgical consultant Maur Burbach; designer Rambusch Decorating Co.)
- Oct. 4, 1979 — Pope St. John Paul II celebrates Mass at Living History Farm; his altar, chair and lectern are later placed in Our Lady's Chapel here
- March 1979 — Cathedral and Rectory listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- 1980s — New pipe organ installed
- 1996–97 — Interior repainted and redecorated by Don A. Wendt, Ecclesiastical Studios & Sons
- 2015 — LED lighting installed on the bell tower
- 2016 — Designated Jubilee Church for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy
- 2025 — Designated Jubilee Church for the Holy Year 2025
Architecture, Art, and the Building
The cathedral is a Romanesque Revival (Richardsonian Romanesque) design by Chicago architect James J. Egan, built 1890–91 in rusticated Bedford limestone with a high-pitched slate gable roof. The plan measures roughly 185 by 102 feet, with an asymmetrical south facade — a round-arched entrance below a triangular pediment, a 120-foot five-section bell tower with a pyramidal spire on the east, and a smaller two-thirds-height section with a semicircular stair-tower projection on the west. The north end terminates in a rounded apse.
- Architect: James J. Egan (Chicago) — Irish immigrant, noted for column-free church interiors
- Style: Romanesque Revival / Richardsonian Romanesque
- Materials: Bedford limestone exterior; painted-plaster barrel-vaulted ceiling; high-pitched slate gable roof
- Dimensions: ~185 ft × 102 ft; bell tower 120 ft tall; nave ceiling 50 ft
- Marble high altar: replica of a Tiffany Studios design, ordered from Italy by Fr. Flavin after the 1893 Columbian Exposition
- 18-foot reredos by Conrad Schmitt Studios of Milwaukee (1940s)
- Six historical stained-glass windows in the nave: the coming of Catholicism to the Americas and to Iowa/Des Moines (unusual iconography for a Roman Catholic church)
- Ten apse windows: ten Gospel events, each paired with an Old Testament counterpart
- Stations of the Cross and wrought iron lanterns (added mid-20th century)
- Chapel of Our Lady (added in 1920s; holds the Pope St. John Paul II items)
- Rectory (1927) — now parish hall, offices, and bishop's residence
Worship, Mass, and Sacraments
St. Ambrose Cathedral functions both as the seat of the Diocese of Des Moines and as a daily parish church. Weekday Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 12:10 p.m. and Saturday at 8:00 a.m.; weekend Masses are Saturday at 4:00 p.m. (Vigil) and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The Rosary is prayed before each Mass (Mon–Fri 11:45 a.m.; Sat 7:30 a.m.; Sun 8:00 a.m.), and a Holy Hour is held on Mondays at 5:00 p.m. The bishop of Des Moines celebrates at the cathedral as his schedule permits.
- Weekday Mass: Mon–Fri 12:10 p.m.; Sat 8:00 a.m.
- Weekend Mass: Sat 4:00 p.m. (Vigil); Sun 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
- Rosary: Mon–Fri 11:45 a.m.; Sat 7:30 a.m.; Sun 8:00 a.m.
- Holy Hour: Monday 5:00 p.m.
- Reconciliation: Wed 10:30–11:30 a.m.; Sat 2:30–3:30 p.m.; or by appointment (515-288-7411)
- Confessionals located in the sacristy; line forms in the short hallway near the West entrance by the baptismal font
- Sacramental emergencies after hours: Fr. Nivin, 515-288-7411 ext. 205
- Weddings: Coordinator Camryn Hemphill, [email protected]
- RCIA: Vern Rash ([email protected]) and Deacon Francis Chan
Music and Liturgical Ministries
Music at the cathedral is directed by Music Director Mark Thomas, with cantors leading the assembly in song. Liturgical lay ministry is broad and volunteer-driven: Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (some of whom also serve the homebound), Lectors, Cantors, Altar Servers, Ushers, and a Seasonal Decor team that re-dresses the cathedral for each liturgical season.
- Music Director: Mark Thomas, 515-288-7411
- Cantors — "He who sings, prays twice" (St. Augustine)
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EMOE) — formation and training provided; must be Baptized and Confirmed
- Lectors — proclaim the Word of God
- Altar Servers — open to any child who has received First Communion
- Ushers and Seasonal Decor teams
- Homebound Ministry — takes the Eucharist to those unable to attend Mass (contact John Martin, 515-491-7171)
Faith Formation, RCIA, and Catholic Education
Faith formation for children and youth, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, and parish liaisons to Catholic schools are all part of the cathedral's educational ministry. The parish also supports nearby Holy Family School (with school-board liaisons Rob Ferguson, Rosemary Mukye, and Khen Muang) and Dowling Catholic High School (liaison Vern Rash).
- RCIA — Vern Rash, Director; Deacon Francis Chan, Co-Director ([email protected])
- Director of Youth Faith Formation / Family Faith Formation: Camryn Hemphill ([email protected])
- Youth Ministry Director: Catherine Swoboda ([email protected], 515-943-9398)
- Holy Family School Board of Education: Rob Ferguson, Rosemary Mukye, Khen Muang
- Dowling Catholic High School liaison: Vern Rash
Refugee Ministry and Cultural Communities
St. Ambrose is the home of a long-standing and notably active Catholic refugee ministry, led by Associate Pastor Fr. Ambrose Ladu Daniel (Refugee Ministry Director) and Deacon Francis Chan (Refugee Ministry Coordinator, and national advisor for Sudanese Catholics). Several distinct cultural Catholic communities worship and gather at the cathedral, including Sudanese/South Sudanese, Karenni, Eritrean, and Myanmar Catholic Community (MCC) faithful.
- Refugee Ministry Director: Fr. Ambrose Ladu Daniel — 515-288-7411 ext. 204, [email protected]
- Refugee Ministry Coordinator / National Advisor for Sudanese Catholics: Deacon Francis Chan — 515-210-4444, [email protected]
- Karenni community: Me Reh Zomi
- Myanmar Catholic Community (MCC): Martin Nawl
- Sudanese & South Sudanese: Bagat Aguek
- Eritrean community: Nasir Kemi; Karkon Ule and Setit Abebe
Outreach, Service, and Parish Life
Beyond worship, the cathedral is a center of parish life and outreach. The Knights of Columbus host parish-wide events including Lenten Fish Fries, a Burrito Bowl, and the parish picnic; the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Walking with Moms carry out the corporal works of mercy; a Prayer Chain keeps the sick and homebound in daily intercession. Hospitality, communications, and welcome teams help newcomers find their place.
- Knights of Columbus — Grand Knight Michael Colosimo ([email protected]); Lenten Fish Fries, Burrito Bowl, parish picnic
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — Mary Whitman ([email protected])
- Walking with Moms — Rachel Mayoros ([email protected])
- Prayer Chain Ministry — John Martin ([email protected])
- Homebound Ministry — John Martin (515-491-7171)
- Ministry of Welcome — Ushers and Seasonal Decor
- Communications volunteers (website, Facebook, parish outreach)
Staff, Leadership, and Councils
The parish is led by the Bishop of Des Moines (Pastor of the Cathedral), the Rector, an Associate Pastor, three Deacons, and a small administrative team supported by a Finance Council, Stewardship Committee, Building Committee, and Safety Council.
- Pastor of the Cathedral & Bishop, Diocese of Des Moines — Most Rev. William M. Joensen, Ph.D. (515-243-7653)
- Rector — Rev. Nivin Thakidipurathu Scaria (ext. 205; [email protected])
- Associate Pastor / Refugee Ministry Director — Rev. Ambrose Ladu Daniel (ext. 204; [email protected])
- Deacons — Francis Chan (Refugee Ministry Coordinator), Jim Obradovich, Lee Pao Yang
- Office Manager / Business Manager — Nancy McCarthy (ext. 208; [email protected])
- Bookkeeper — Jeffrey Morris (ext. 200; [email protected])
- Administrative Assistant — Holly Madison (ext. 201; [email protected])
- Weddings & Faith Formation — Camryn Hemphill (ext. 206; [email protected])
- Music Director — Mark Thomas
- Maintenance Engineer — Dominic Clausi (515-770-1888)
- Finance Council — Fr. Nivin; Nancy McCarthy; Doug Sharp, Chair; Sol Rosenbaum, Parish Trustee; Barbara Decker, Parish Trustee; Ramona Peterson; Angela Burke Boston; Paul Dupey; David Gross; Bill Noth
- Stewardship Committee — Anita O'Gara; Earl Kelly; Barbara Decker
- Building Committee — David Gross, Chair
- Safety Council — Greg Peterson ([email protected])
Visiting, Contact, and Getting Involved
The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closing at noon on Fridays during the summer). The cathedral itself is open the same hours (Fridays in summer the church closes after the noon Mass). Newcomers are invited to download and complete a Parish Registration form, available on the parish website, and to contact the office at 515-288-7411 or [email protected].
- Address: 607 High St, Des Moines, IA 50309
- Phone: 515-288-7411; Fax: 515-288-3969
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Fri in summer: closes at noon)
- Cathedral Hours: Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Fri in summer: closes after noon Mass)
- Parish Registration form available on the website (mail, email, collection basket, or in person)
- Volunteer inquiries: [email protected] or 515-288-7411
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. George Plathe1856–
First resident priest assigned to Des Moines; built the first 40-by-24-foot wooden St. Ambrose Church at 6th and Locust.
- Fr. John F. Brazill1861–
Built the St. Ambrose grade school (1863); later named Vicar General of the Dubuque diocese by Bishop Clement Smyth; oversaw construction of the second (stone) St. Ambrose Church in 1865.
- Fr. Michael Flavin1880s–
Commissioned the present cathedral at 6th and High; hired architect James J. Egan; broke ground in 1890; church completed and dedicated by Bishop Henry Cosgrove on Oct. 11, 1891; later commissioned a Tiffany-Studio-inspired marble high altar from Italy.
- Fr. Francis O'Connell1920s
Rector during the 1920s renovations with Bishop Thomas Drumm; rectory built 1927; Chapel of Our Lady, bishop's throne, pulpit, communion rail, and 1929 pipe organ all added under his and Drumm's direction.
- Fr. John Lorenz and Fr. James Laurenzo1970s
Co-pastors who, with Bishop Maurice Dingman, oversaw the 1978 post-Vatican II renovation (liturgical consultant Maur Burbach; designer Rambusch Decorating Co.).
- Most Rev. William M. Joensen, Ph.D.present
Bishop of Des Moines and Pastor of the Cathedral (per the 2025–26 diocesan directory).
- Rev. Nivin Thakidipurathu Scariapresent
Rector of the Cathedral (2025–26 diocesan directory).
.jpg (Wikipedia/NRHP image, exterior view) "St. Ambrose")