About St. Henry/St. Francis of Assisi Parish · Marshalltown, Iowa
St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Marshalltown, Iowa is a unified Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, formed in 2018 by the joining of historic St. Mary Church, St. Henry Church, and the Immaculate Conception Oratory in Haverhill. The parish is bilingual (English and Spanish) and operates across multiple worship sites, including St. Henry Church (221 W. Olive St.) and St. Mary Church (11 W. Linn St.), alongside St. Francis Catholic School (310 Columbus Drive) and an active jail, youth, and social-justice ministry. It traces its roots back to 1869, making it one of the oldest Catholic communities in central Iowa, and continues to serve Marshalltown's growing immigrant population with Mass in English, Spanish, and a Sunday bilingual liturgy.
- Established
- 1869
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Alan Dietzenbach
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Dubuque
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi is a bilingual, multi-generational Catholic family rooted in Marshalltown since 1869, where the rhythms of faith, school, and neighborly service are woven tightly together. Worship is offered in English, Spanish, and a Sunday bilingual Mass, and the parish walks with members through every stage of life — parish school, faith formation, youth Kairos retreats, marriage, baptism, funerals, and the sacraments. It is also a place that puts faith into action through jail ministry, a Good Samaritan Fund, immigration resources, an emergency shelter, and a Social Justice Committee that connects anyone in need with help.
Mass times at St. Henry/St. Francis of Assisi Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday — 6:00 PM at St. Mary Church (continues until all are heard)
- Saturday — 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM at St. Henry Church
Adoration times
- Monday — 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (St. Mary Church)
- Tuesday — 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (St. Mary Church)
- Wednesday — 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (St. Mary Church)
- Thursday — 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (St. Mary Church)
- Friday — 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (St. Mary Church)
About St. Francis of Assisi Parish
St. Francis of Assisi Parish is a unified Roman Catholic parish in Marshalltown, Iowa, in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. It was formed in 2018 from the historic parishes of St. Mary's (founded 1869), St. Henry's (founded 1959), and the Immaculate Conception Oratory in Haverhill. The parish is bilingual and operates across multiple worship sites, with St. Henry Church at 221 W. Olive St. and St. Mary Church (and the parish office) at 11 W. Linn St.
- Worship sites: St. Henry Church (221 W. Olive St.), St. Mary Church (11 W. Linn St.), Immaculate Conception Oratory (Haverhill)
- School: St. Francis Catholic School, 310 Columbus Drive
- Parish office phone: (641) 752-6278
Parish History
Catholic worship in Marshalltown began in 1869 with the founding of Immaculate Conception, which was later renamed St. Mary's. The current St. Mary's Church, a Romanesque building designed by L.J. Carter, was constructed in 1890. In 1959, St. Henry's was established as a new parish carved from St. Mary's, with the railroad tracks serving as the dividing line. Over the following decades the two parishes gradually merged their ministries: faith formation in 2012, youth ministry in 2014, and the schools in 2015. In 2018 a Unification Mass officially created St. Francis of Assisi Parish under pastor Father Alan Dietzenbach.
- 1869: Immaculate Conception (later St. Mary's) founded
- 1890: Current St. Mary's Church built in Romanesque style by L.J. Carter
- 1959: St. Henry's established
- 2012: Faith formation programs united
- 2014: Youth ministry programs united
- 2015: Parish schools merged at the St. Henry's campus as St. Francis Catholic School
- 2018: Unification Mass creates St. Francis of Assisi Parish
St. Francis Catholic School
St. Francis Catholic School is a parish school serving about 255 students from three-year-old preschool through sixth grade, located at 310 Columbus Drive, Marshalltown. The school is the result of the 2015 merger of the former St. Mary's and St. Henry's schools at the renovated St. Henry's campus, and operates as part of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Principal Julie Graber leads the school with a staff that includes school counselors, a librarian associate, food service, and a maintenance director.
- Address: 310 Columbus Drive, Marshalltown, IA 50158
- Phone: (641) 753-7977
- Enrollment: ~255 students, PK–6
- Principal: Julie Graber
- School theme 2025: 'Rise Up'
- Annual fundraiser: Booster Club, SCRIP, Trash for Cash
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation programs for parish youth have been unified across the parish since 2012. The parish also offers the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for anyone wishing to become Catholic, and sacramental preparation for First Communion, Confirmation, and other sacraments. The Parents Engaged in Prayer (PEP) group supports the spiritual life of school families.
- Faith Formation (unified since 2012)
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Sacramental preparation
- Parents Engaged in Prayer (PEP)
Youth Ministry and Kairos Retreat
Youth ministry has been unified across the parish since 2014. The flagship youth event is the Kairos Retreat, a four-day retreat for 10th and 11th graders held at Pilgrim Heights. 'Kairos' means 'the Lord's time,' and the retreat gives students space to explore their hearts and grow closer to God and one another. The retreat is offered in English and Spanish, with parish youth and adult leaders carrying the message forward after the weekend ends.
- Kairos Retreat for 10th–11th graders (English and Spanish)
- Held at Pilgrim Heights
- Adult and youth leaders from the parish
Jail Ministry
The parish jail ministry has been bringing Christ's message of forgiveness to inmates of the Marshall County Jail for over 20 years. Led by Deacon Gary Pusillo, the program includes a Sunday worship service for men and women structured as a 'Mass without a Priest' under diocesan guidelines, with music, media, discussion, and a prayer line with the laying on of hands. During the pandemic the team delivered a weekly liturgy guide in English and Spanish; they hope to resume on-site meetings soon.
- Sunday service for men and women at Marshall County Jail
- Format: 'Mass without a Priest' with music, media, and discussion
- Weekly liturgy guide in English and Spanish
- Contact: Deacon Gary Pusillo, 641-751-7277
Social Justice, Outreach, and the Good Samaritan Fund
St. Francis of Assisi Parish has long served Marshalltown's immigrant community, providing education and direct connections to vital services. The parish hosts a free immigration attorney, Know Your Rights seminars for undocumented immigrants, and financial literacy classes in Spanish. The Social Justice Committee and Good Samaritan Fund connect anyone who walks into the parish office to helpful organizations and financial assistance. Originally created to assist with immigration needs, the Good Samaritan Fund expanded dramatically after the July 2018 EF3 tornado and the 2020 derecho and continues to adapt to the community's changing needs.
- Free immigration attorney on site
- Know Your Rights seminars
- Financial literacy classes in Spanish
- Good Samaritan Fund (emergency financial assistance)
- Social Justice Committee
- Emergency overnight shelter for unhoused individuals
Marshalltown Catholic Radio
Marshalltown Catholic Radio, displaced by the July 2018 tornado, has set up its studio in the St. Henry Parish Hall. While it streams online, the station is not yet broadcasting over the airwaves.
- Studio at St. Henry Parish Hall
- Streams online; not yet broadcasting over the air
Becoming a Parishioner
Anyone wishing to register as a parishioner can download the registration form from the parish website, print it, complete it, and bring it to the parish office. Registration makes sacramental preparation, religious education enrollment, funeral planning, and parish mailings simpler. Anyone interested in becoming Catholic is invited to inquire about RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, through the parish office.
- Parish office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–4:30 PM; Fri 10:30 AM–2:30 PM
- Registration form available on st-francis.net
- RCIA inquiries welcomed at the parish office
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is served by a bilingual pastoral team led by Father Alan Dietzenbach (pastor) with Father Michael McAndrew as associate pastor and Deacon Gary Pusillo assisting with jail ministry and parish life. The school is led by Principal Julie Graber with a staff of teachers, counselors, and support personnel. The parish office is staffed Monday through Friday.
- Pastor: Rev. Alan Dietzenbach
- Associate Pastor: Rev. Michael McAndrew
- Deacon: Gary Pusillo
- School Principal: Julie Graber
- Parish office: (641) 752-6278
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Don Czaplauntil 2019
Former parish priest of St. Henry's; reassigned to St. Matthew's in Cedar Rapids in July 2019 when the parishes unified.
- Rev. Alan Dietzenbach2019–present
Previously pastor of St. Mary's; became pastor of the newly unified St. Francis of Assisi Parish at the 2018 Unification Mass. Bilingual; of German ancestry.
- Rev. Michael McAndrew2019–present
First associate pastor of the unified parish; ordained May 25, 2019. University of Northern Iowa graduate; studied at Mundelein Seminary near Chicago. Bilingual; of Irish and Honduran descent.