About St. Columba · Iona, Minnesota
St. Columba is a small Catholic parish in the rural farming community of Iona, in Murray County, southwestern Minnesota, named for the 6th-century Irish missionary who founded the abbey on the Isle of Iona off Scotland. The parish grew up alongside the town of Iona itself, which was platted and named by its founding priest, Fr. Martin McDonnell, in the late 19th century. After more than a century as a standalone congregation, on August 1, 2024 St. Columba was merged with St. Ann Parish in Slayton (the Diocesan directory dates the formal merger as October 15, 2024) and today is served as a mission church by the Catholic Parishes of St. Ann, Slayton; St. Mary, Lake Wilson; and St. Columba, Iona within the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. The church remains an active part of the faith life of the Iona community, with weekend Mass celebrated on a rotating schedule and supported by a parish school tradition and the historic St. Columba Cemetery.
- Established
- 1891
- Patron
- St. Columba of Iona
- Rector
- Father Peter Schuster
- Diocese
- Diocese of Winona-Rochester
Why belong here
St. Columba is a small-town Catholic community with deep roots in Murray County — a parish founded by the same priest who platted the town of Iona, whose families sent twenty-five women into religious life and raised up multiple priests and seminarians. Today, as a mission church of the Catholic Parishes of St. Ann, Slayton; St. Mary, Lake Wilson; and St. Columba, Iona, it offers weekend Mass on a rotating schedule, a historic 1948 church hall still used for parish and community gatherings, the St. Columba Cemetery, and a warm, multi-parish family of about 400 households served by Pastor Fr. Peter Schuster and Parochial Vicar Fr. Antony Arokiyam. Visitors and parishioners are warmly welcomed to register, attend Mass, and share in the sacramental and faith-formation life of the parish.
Mass times at St. Columba
Weekly Mass schedule
History of St. Columba Parish
St. Columba Parish traces its origin to the missionary vision of Fr. Martin McDonnell, who platted the town of Iona and named it for the Scottish island where its patron saint had once established Christianity. From its earliest days the parish ran a school, an orphanage (the Sacred Heart Home), and a long line of resident pastors. The 1948 church hall and the present 1971 church remain central to parish life.
- Cornerstone of first church laid July 14, 1891 by Bishop Joseph Cotter
- Sacred Heart Home orphanage built before the first church
- School opened in 1901; first class graduated 1921; last high school class 1964
- Church hall built in 1948, still in use
- New church dedicated July 11, 1971 under Fr. Donald Olson
- Merger with St. Ann of Slayton effective August 1, 2024 (Diocese of Winona-Rochester records October 15, 2024)
Parish Priesthood & Vocational Heritage
St. Columba has a remarkable vocation story. The first 'St. Columba son' ordained was Fr. Aloysius Wirchen, followed by Frs. Louis Scheuring, Raymond Lies, Joseph Galour, Francis Galles, and Tim Biren (William Culbert died while in the seminary). Fr. Edward Scheuring later retired to his home parish and enabled daily Mass to continue for about twenty years. Twenty-five young women from the parish entered religious life.
- Fr. Aloysius Wirchen – first priestly vocation from St. Columba
- Frs. Louis Scheuring, Raymond Lies, Joseph Galour, Francis Galles, Tim Biren – additional priestly vocations
- William Culbert – died while in seminary
- Fr. Edward Scheuring – retired to St. Columba; supported daily Mass for ~20 years
- Twenty-five young women from the parish entered religious life
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
The combined parish family coordinates faith formation for children and adults across its three mission churches. Diann Timmerman coordinates Faith Formation, and Pat Merrick directs OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those preparing to enter the Catholic Church.
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Diann Timmerman – [email protected], (507) 401-1038
- OCIA: Pat Merrick – (507) 407-1063
- Baptism preparation: call Dana at the parish office
- Marriage preparation: begin at least six months before the wedding; contact the pastor
Parish Staff & Contacts
The merged parishes of St. Ann, St. Mary (Lake Wilson), and St. Columba (Iona) share a unified staff based at the parish office in Slayton. Fr. Peter Schuster is pastor and Fr. Antony Arokiyam serves as parochial vicar.
- Pastor: Fr. Peter Schuster – [email protected] – (507) 304-2541
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Antony Arokiyam – [email protected] – (608) 547-2259
- Parish Administrator: Dana Clarke – [email protected] – (507) 360-3536
- Faith Formation: Diann Timmerman – [email protected] – (507) 401-1038
- Custodian: Dave Schreiber – (507) 836-8030
- Parish Office: 2747 29th St, Slayton, MN 56172 – (507) 836-8030
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM; Mon–Thurs 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Parish Office & How to Give
The unified parish office for the Catholic Parishes of St. Ann, St. Mary, and St. Columba is located in Slayton, with St. Columba's church site at 451 McDonnell Ave, Iona. Online giving is offered through the parish website, and donations can also be directed to the parish office.
- Parish Office: 2747 29th St, Slayton, MN 56172 – (507) 836-8030
- St. Columba site: 451 McDonnell Ave, Iona, MN 56141
- Online giving available via www.acmcatholic.org
- Mailing address and contact: [email protected]
St. Columba Cemetery
St. Columba Cemetery is located in Iona and is part of the parish's historic ministry to the Catholic community of Murray County. It is listed as one of the parish locations served by the Catholic Parishes of St. Ann, Slayton; St. Mary, Lake Wilson; and St. Columba, Iona.
- St. Columba Cemetery, Iona – maintained as part of the combined parish
Patron: St. Columba of Iona
The parish is named for St. Columba (Colmcille), the 6th-century Irish abbot and missionary (c. 521 – 9 June 597) who founded the famous abbey on the Isle of Iona off the western coast of Scotland. From Iona he and his twelve companions evangelized the Picts and helped spread Christianity throughout Scotland; he is one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland and a patron of Derry, Ireland, and Scotland. The connection between the Minnesota town of Iona and its Scottish namesake runs through the parish itself, founded by a priest who deliberately chose the name in honor of Columba's mission.
- St. Columba / Colmcille (521 – 9 June 597)
- Feast day: June 9
- Founded the abbey on the Isle of Iona, Scotland
- Apostle to the Picts; one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland
- Patron of Derry, Ireland, Scotland, bookbinders, poets, and protection against floods
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Martin McDonnell19th c. (founding pastor)
Platted and planned the town of Iona, naming it after the Isle of Iona in Scotland; built first church and the Sacred Heart Home orphanage.
- Fr. Mathias Borresch
Served after Fr. McDonnell when St. Columba became a mission of Fulda.
- Fr. Francis Freckman1900
First resident pastor of St. Columba Parish.
- Fr. Mathias Jostock
Resident pastor.
- Fr. Joseph Schneider
Resident pastor.
- Fr. John Dolle
Resident pastor.
- Fr. Anthony Hennekes
Resident pastor.
- Fr. Paul Britz
Resident pastor.
- Fr. Stephan Majerus
Resident pastor.
- Fr. Malley
Resident pastor.
- Fr. George Smith
Resident pastor.
- Fr. James Fasnacht
Resident pastor.
- Fr. Edward Klein
Resident pastor.
- Fr. Harold Gavin
Resident pastor.
- Fr. Clayton Haberman
Resident pastor.
- Fr. Harry Jewison
Resident pastor.
- Fr. Don (Donald) Olson
Resident pastor; oversaw dedication of the new church on July 11, 1971.
- Fr. Charles Quinn
Resident pastor.
- Fr. Don (Donald) Lovas
Resident pastor.
- Fr. Donald Zenk1978
First pastor when St. Columba became a mission of St. Ann Parish in Slayton.
- Fr. Donald Halloran
Pastor after Fr. Zenk under St. Ann in Slayton.
- Fr. Hilary Brixius
Pastor under St. Ann in Slayton.
- Fr. Greg Leif
Served while parishes were a mission of St. Gabriel in Fulda.
- Fr. Eugene Egan
Served while parishes were a mission of St. Gabriel in Fulda.
- Fr. Mark McNea
Pastor under St. Ann in Slayton mission arrangement.
- Fr. Patrick Arens
Pastor under St. Ann in Slayton mission arrangement.
- Fr. James Seitz
Pastor under St. Ann in Slayton mission arrangement.
- Fr. Gregory Parrott
Pastor under St. Ann in Slayton mission arrangement.
- Fr. Thien Van Nguyen
Pastor under St. Ann in Slayton mission arrangement.
- Fr. Peter Schuster
Current pastor; oversees the merged Catholic Parishes of St. Ann, Slayton; St. Mary, Lake Wilson; and St. Columba, Iona.
- Fr. Edward Scheuring
Parish son; retired to St. Columba and served daily Mass for approximately 20 years.