About St. Brigid · Grand Junction, Iowa
St. Brigid Catholic Church is a historic mission parish in Grand Junction, Iowa, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City. Originally established in 1878 to serve the Irish Catholic settlers of Greene County, the parish has ministered to the small farming community for nearly 150 years. After the Diocese of Sioux City's 2017 'Ministry 2025' pastoral plan, St. Brigid was reduced to oratory status, meaning it no longer hosts regular weekend or daily Masses but remains available for weddings, funerals, and the annual feast-day Mass of St. Brigid. It is now clustered with St. Columbkille in Churdan, St. Joseph in Jefferson, and the historic St. Patrick's in Cedar under the Greene County Catholic Churches parish family.
- Established
- 1878
- Patron
- St. Brigid of Ireland
- Rector
- Rev. Jeff Schleisman (pastor of Greene County Catholic Churches; as of the 2017 coverage)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sioux City
Why belong here
St. Brigid offers a deeply rooted small-town Catholic community in rural Greene County with a heritage stretching back to 1878, when Irish Catholic settlers first organized the parish. Even in its oratory status, the church remains an open, prayerful space for weddings, funerals, and the annual St. Brigid's Day Mass, and former parishioners are invited to continue stewarding its upkeep. It is one of three Greene County Catholic Churches (with St. Columbkille in Churdan and St. Joseph in Jefferson) sharing a single pastor, so visiting Catholics become part of a tight-knit cluster of farming-community parishes. Anyone in the Grand Junction area seeking a historic, family-centered Catholic worship site will find a welcoming congregation proud of its 19th-century Irish-American roots.
Mass times at St. Brigid
Weekly Mass schedule
Overview & Identity
St. Brigid is a Roman Catholic mission (now oratory) in Grand Junction, Iowa, belonging to the Diocese of Sioux City. It was founded in 1878 to serve Irish Catholic settlers in Greene County and is named after St. Brigid of Ireland, whose feast day is celebrated on February 1. The parish mailing address and parish office are located at 602 E. Hager Street, Grand Junction, IA 50107.
- Patron: St. Brigid of Ireland
- Feast day: February 1
- Diocese: Sioux City
- Founded: 1878
- Type: Mission / Oratory (since July 2018)
History
The parish was organized in 1878 with Fr. Edward O'Farrell as its first resident pastor. Under Fr. M. J. Quirk (1879-1887) the parish was thoroughly organized, Mt. Calvary Cemetery was opened, the brick church was built, and the school established. The brick church was moved in 1896 to adjoin the school. St. Mary's Academy opened in September 1888. As Greene County grew, daughter parishes were formed at St. Patrick's Cedar Township, St. Mary's Franklin Township, and various missions.
- 1878: Parish organized; Fr. Edward O'Farrell first resident pastor
- 1879-1887: Fr. M. J. Quirk consolidates parish, opens Mt. Calvary Cemetery, builds brick church
- 1888: St. Mary's Academy opens on block 79
- 1896: Brick church moved to its present site adjoining the school
- 1987: Present church building constructed
- 2013 (approx.): New roof installed
- 2016: Placed on Diocese of Sioux City's Ministry 2025 transition list
- 2017: Parishioners vote to merge three Greene County parishes; diocese declines
- July 2018: Reduced to oratory status
Greene County Catholic Churches Cluster
St. Brigid is part of the Greene County Catholic Churches, a single parish family that includes St. Brigid in Grand Junction, St. Columbkille in Churdan, and St. Joseph in Jefferson, plus the historic St. Patrick's church building in Cedar. The cluster is served by one pastor and was formed as rural Iowa Catholic populations consolidated under the Diocese of Sioux City's Ministry 2025 plan.
- St. Brigid, Grand Junction
- St. Columbkille, Churdan
- St. Joseph, Jefferson
- St. Patrick's (historic), Cedar
- Single pastor for the cluster: Fr. Jeff Schleisman
Ministry 2025 & Oratory Status
In February 2016 the Diocese of Sioux City announced its 'Ministry 2025' pastoral plan, targeting 40 of 108 diocesan parishes for transition. St. Brigid was placed on the list and offered two options: close or become an oratory. After a 16-month process, the parish was formally reduced to oratory status in July 2018. An oratory is 'a place of prayer' that does not host regular weekend Masses or faith-formation programs; the building may still be used for weddings, funerals, and special Masses, but maintenance is the responsibility of former parishioners without diocesan funding.
- Plan announced February 2016
- Options offered: close or become oratory
- 2017 parishioner merger proposal not approved
- Oratory status effective July 2018
- Building remains open for weddings, funerals, St. Brigid's Day Mass, one other annual Mass
Sacraments & Visiting
Under oratory status, sacramental life at St. Brigid is limited to weddings, funerals, the annual feast-day Mass, and one additional annual Mass. Those wishing to arrange a wedding or funeral, or to visit the historic church building, should contact the parish office at [email protected] or (515) 738-2254.
- Weddings by arrangement
- Funerals by arrangement
- Annual feast-day Mass (Feb. 1)
- Contact: [email protected] / 515-738-2254
Location & Contact
The parish office and historic church building are at 602 E. Hager Street in Grand Junction, Iowa 50107. The mailing address uses the parish center. Phone: (515) 738-2254. Email: [email protected]. The parish website is http://www.stbrigidcc.org/, and the Greene County Catholic Churches cluster maintains a Facebook page.
- Address: 602 E. Hager St., Grand Junction, IA 50107
- Phone: (515) 738-2254
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.stbrigidcc.org/
- Facebook: facebook.com/greenecountycatholicchurches/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Edward O'Farrell1878-1879
First resident pastor at Grand Junction; established the parish community.
- Rev. M. J. Quirk1879-1887
Built up the congregation; oversaw construction of the brick church, opening of Mt. Calvary Cemetery, and organization of the parish. Died June 19, 1880 record at Grand Junction noted in his biography.
- Rev. George Costello1885
Appointed to St. Patrick's in Cedar Township (carved from St. Brigid's territory).
- Rev. P. C. Kenny1887-1888
Succeeded Quirk as pastor of Grand Junction.
- Rev. Jeff Schleismancirca 2013-2018+
Pastor of the Greene County Catholic Churches; led the fight against oratory/closure under Ministry 2025.