About St. Benedict · Decorah, Iowa
St. Benedict Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic community serving over 950 families in Decorah, Iowa, in the heart of Winneshiek County in the state's northeast corner. The parish is part of the Archdiocese of Dubuque and traces its origins to 1857, making it one of the older Catholic communities in northeastern Iowa. Today the parish offers daily and weekend Mass in English, regular Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation for children and adults, and operates St. Benedict Catholic School (Preschool through Grade 8). Visitors are welcomed at the historic worship site on West Main Street, and the parish continues to grow alongside the expanding Decorah community it has served for more than 165 years.
- Established
- 1857
- Patron
- St. Benedict of Nursia
- Rector
- Fr. Jon Seda
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Dubuque
Why belong here
St. Benedict offers a full Catholic life in a small-town setting: a long-rooted parish family serving more than 950 households, daily Mass, weekend Masses in English, regular confession before Saturday and Sunday liturgies, and Eucharistic Adoration on a weekly schedule. The parish runs its own Preschool–Grade 8 Catholic school, faith formation for children, adult formation programs (such as the 'Journey in Faith' and parish inner-healing video series), and ongoing 'Year of Prayer' initiatives. For newcomers to Decorah — students, families, retirees, or visitors to the Luther College community — it is a welcoming Catholic home with deep local history and active parish ministries.
Mass times at St. Benedict
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM
- Other times by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday: 7:00 AM
- Wednesday: 1:00 PM
About St. Benedict Parish
St. Benedict Parish is the Catholic faith home for more than 950 families in Decorah, Iowa. The parish's mission statement centers on warmth and hospitality: 'We welcome you to St. Benedict Catholic Parish. We hope you find warmth and hospitality here. As you become more acquainted with us, you may find an area in which to share time and talent with us.' Decorah is described on the parish site as a growing community, and St. Benedict is growing with it. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Dubuque and is pastored by Rev. Donald A. Hertges, with the current church at 307 West Main Street and the parish school at 402 Rural Avenue.
- Over 950 families served
- Archdiocese of Dubuque
- Located in Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa
- Pastored by Rev. Donald A. Hertges
History
Saint Benedict Parish was established in 1857 with Father Edmund Farrell as the first resident pastor, who built a log church near the present Bluffton church. His successor, Father Clement Lowery, supervised construction of the first St. Benedict Church at 512 East Broadway, completed in 1864 from limestone hauled by farmers about fifty miles from McGregor at a cost of $7,000; Father Lowery also acquired land for the parish cemetery. In April 1865 the parish mourned President Lincoln with funeral services. The parish's centennial was marked on August 11, 1964, the same day the new St. Benedict Elementary School was dedicated.
- 1857 – Parish founded; Fr. Edmund Farrell, first resident pastor
- 1864 – Limestone church at 512 East Broadway completed under Fr. Clement Lowery
- 1865 – Funeral services for President Lincoln
- 1964 – Centennial Mass and dedication of new elementary school
Leadership and Clergy
Hertges, who also serves as the priest associated with St. Benedict Catholic School. Father Hertges is listed by the Archdiocese of Dubuque among its active priests and is assigned to St. Benedict, Decorah. The Loras College Digital Collections include archival 'Pastor cards' and a 'Pastor List' for St. Benedict Parish — a resource documenting the parish's full succession of priests over 154 years.
- Rev. Donald A. Hertges — Pastor
Faith Formation
The parish operates a Faith Formation program for its children and runs a 'Journey in Faith' adult faith formation track that members are invited to learn more about via the parish website. During Lent the parish has offered an eight-part video series entitled 'Healing the Whole Person,' presented by Dr. Bob Schuchts and Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, designed to bring 'concrete and tangible inner healing' into the lives of participants through private prayer and reflection. The parish has also highlighted a parish-wide 'Year of Prayer' initiative to deepen the prayer life of the congregation.
- Faith Formation for children
- Journey in Faith adult formation
- Lenten 'Healing the Whole Person' video series
- Year of Prayer parish initiative
St. Benedict Catholic School
St. Benedict Catholic School, located at 402 Rural Avenue in Decorah, serves Preschool through Grade 8. The school was designed in 1963 by architect Charles Altfillisch in a version of the International Style that he specifically called 'Roof Architecture' — a split-level, eight-classroom building with a chapel, library, music room, offices, and a two-story gymnasium/cafeteria built to host over 200 students. Enrollment growth led to a 1985 addition of four classrooms (designed by W. Smith Architectural firm to match the existing window design and brick) and a 2001 two-story media center (designed by KNV Architects). The school and parish share the pastor's priestly ministry, with Rev. Donald Hertges also serving in the school community.
- Preschool through Grade 8
- 412 / 402 Rural Avenue, Decorah
- Architect: Charles Altfillisch (1963 original)
- 1985 addition: W. Smith Architectural firm
- 2001 media center addition: KNV Architects
- Pastor Rev. Donald Hertges also serves the school
Get Involved and Support
The parish encourages visitors and members to become involved in its ministries, share their time and talents, and support the parish financially through online giving. Donations are accepted via the 'Donate' tab on the parish website's main menu or through the 'Support Us' link on the welcome page. The parish's continued growth — to over 950 families — is described as depending on 'the work and cooperation of all of us.'
- Online giving via the parish website (Donate / Support Us)
- Volunteer opportunities through parish ministries
- Welcome new parishioners via the parish office
Contact and Location
St. Benedict Catholic Parish is located at 307 West Main Street, Decorah, Iowa 52101. The parish office can be reached by telephone at (563) 382-9631, and the official website is https://stbenedictcc.com/. From U.S. Highways 52 and 9, travelers are directed east to Short Street, then Mechanic Street, then right onto West Main Street two blocks to the parish.
- Address: 307 West Main Street, Decorah, IA 52101
- Phone: (563) 382-9631
- Website: https://stbenedictcc.com/
- Driving directions from Hwys. 52 and 9
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Edmund Farrell1857–
First resident pastor; directed construction of the original log church near the present Bluffton church.
- Rev. Clement Lowery1864–
Supervised construction of the first St. Benedict Church at 512 East Broadway (limestone, completed 1864) and the purchase of land for the parish cemetery; lived in the church basement.
- Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt
Author of the parish profile published in The Witness, November 22, 1987 (source for early parish history).
- Rev. Donald A. Hertges
Current pastor; listed as an active priest of the Archdiocese of Dubuque assigned to St. Benedict Parish, Decorah.