St James the Less

Parish History

Founded in 1836 by German immigrants who built their first log chapel at Sugar Creek within two years of arriving in Iowa, St. James the Less holds the distinction of being the site of the first Catholic church in Lee County. A brick church followed in 1853, and in 1867 Father Matthias Michels became the parish's first resident pastor. The present Gothic church — 60 by 140 feet with a 165-foot bell tower — was built under Father Weikmann and dedicated by Bishop Henry Cosgrove on September 19, 1883.

• 1836: German settlers found the Sugar Creek community.
• 1838: First log chapel built (24 × 36 ft); site now marked by a statue of Mary.
• 1853: Bishop Loras authorizes a brick church on the present property.
• 1867: Father Matthias Michels appointed first resident pastor.
• 1873: Father Weikmann begins service; present Gothic church erected.
• September 19, 1883: Church dedicated by Bishop Henry Cosgrove.
• August 13, 1887: Cyclone damages the church.
• 1890: Fire (from a fallen chandelier) causes further damage.
• June 18, 1893: Restored church consecrated by Bishop Cosgrove.
• September 12, 2001: Bishop William Franklin blesses the newly redecorated interior.

Architecture & Sacred Spaces

The parish's signature feature is its Gothic-style church with a soaring 165-foot bell tower, visible for miles across southeast Iowa. Built between 1873 and 1883, the church measures 60 by 140 feet and was rebuilt and consecrated in 1893 after suffering both an 1887 cyclone and a 1890 fire. The interior was extensively refurbished in 2001 under a dedicated committee and Fr. Dennis Hoffman. The grounds also include a statue of Mary marking the site of the original 1838 log chapel.

Clergy, Staff & Parish Council

St. James is currently served by Father Dan Dorau (pastor since July 2020) and Deacon Mike Linnenbrink. The parish staff includes Liz Linnenbrink (Director of Religious Education), Jen Merschman (Administration / Bookkeeper), and Liturgy Coordinator Dixie Booten, along with Joan Holtkamp and Rebecca Hannum. A four-parish Parish Council meets monthly on the second Wednesday at 6:30 PM in St. James Hall in St. Paul; meetings are open to parishioners.

• Father Dan Dorau — Pastor (since July 2020); phone 319-371-8474 / 319-469-2001
• Deacon Mike Linnenbrink — phone 319-316-2115
• Liz Linnenbrink — Director of Religious Education (319-837-6808)
• Jen Merschman — Administration / Bookkeeper (319-837-6808)
• Dixie Booten — Liturgy Coordinator (319-371-5043)
• Joan Holtkamp and Rebecca Hannum — parish staff
• Parish Council meets 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM in St. James Hall

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Liz Linnenbrink serves as Director of Religious Education, coordinating the parish's religious education program for children and families, including preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. The parish also hosts Vacation Bible School and welcomes youth ministry help.

• Religious Education Teacher and Substitute roles
• Sacrament preparation: Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation
• Vacation Bible School
• Youth Ministry

OCIA & Adult Faith Formation

The parish offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for adults seeking to enter fully into the Catholic faith — those never baptized as well as baptized Christians preparing for Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Inquiries can be directed to the parish office.

• OCIA / RCIA for unbaptized adults
• OCIA for baptized adults preparing for Confirmation and Eucharist
• Contact the parish office to begin the journey

Liturgical Ministries

Parishioners serve at Mass as Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, altar servers, cantors, musicians, ushers, greeters, bulletin distributors, and gift bearers. A Liturgy Coordinator (Dixie Booten) helps organize these roles, and the parish is always looking for new volunteers.

• Eucharistic Minister
• Lector
• Altar Server
• Cantor and Musician
• Usher
• Greeter / Bulletin Distributor
• Gift Bearer

Devotions & Prayer Life

Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish supports a Prayer Chain, Rosary Leaders, sanctuary and altar candle caretakers, decorators of the church and altar, and a First Saturday devotion with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. These quiet ministries sustain the prayer life of the community throughout the week.

• Prayer Chain
• Rosary Leader
• Votive / Sanctuary / Altar Candles
• Decorating Church / Altar
• Pew Sanitizers
• First Saturday Devotion with Confession

Outreach, Charity & Community Life

St. James lives out the call to serve through homebound ministry, a parish food pantry, end-of-the-month meals, baptismal garments and blankets for newborns, cooking and baking for funerals, and a Grief Ministry. The parish also runs the St. James God's Acre Sale Committee and shares a bulletin and pastoral team with neighboring parishes.

• Visiting the Homebound / Elderly
• Communion to the Homebound
• Food Pantry
• End-of-the-Month Meals
• Baptismal Garments / Blanket Makers
• Cooking / Baking for funerals
• Grief Ministry
• St. James God's Acre Sale Committee
• St. John the Baptist Harvest Festival Committee
• A&R Committees for St. James and St. John

Getting Involved — Stewardship

The parish Stewardship Form lays out dozens of ways to share time and talent in three areas — Spirituality, Infrastructure, and Community — plus Growth roles such as Welcome New Members and Stewardship Team. Whether teaching CCD, counting the collection, maintaining the grounds, leading the rosary, or greeting newcomers, parishioners are invited to plug in.

• Spirituality: RE teacher/sub, Youth Ministry, VBS, Eucharistic Minister, Prayer Chain, Musician, Cantor, Usher, Lector, Rosary Leader, etc.
• Infrastructure: Grounds Care, Minor Repairs, Painting
• People: Scrip, Collection Counter, Cooking/Baking for funerals
• Growth: Welcome New Members, Sponsor Couple, Stewardship Team, Parish Council, Finance Council
• Community: Homebound visits, Food Pantry, God's Acre Sale, Grief Ministry

Sacraments

St. James the Less offers the full range of Catholic sacraments — Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Reconciliation (Confession), Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick. Families and adults can contact the parish office for preparation and scheduling.

• Baptism
• First Communion
• Confirmation
• Reconciliation (Confession)
• Matrimony (Marriage)
• Anointing of the Sick

Visiting & Contact

Worship takes place in the historic Gothic church at 2044 Locust Street, Saint Paul, Iowa. The parish office is shared with St. John the Baptist and is located at 205 Denning Street, Houghton, IA 52631, with office hours on Tuesdays (9 AM – 2 PM) and Thursdays (9 AM – 1 PM). The mailing address for the office is PO Box 100, Houghton, IA 52631.

• Church: 2044 Locust Street, Saint Paul, IA 52657
• Parish Office: 205 Denning Street, Houghton, IA 52631 (PO Box 100, Houghton, IA 52631)
• Phone: 319-469-2001
• Office Hours: Tuesday 9 AM – 2 PM; Thursday 9 AM – 1 PM
• Website: https://stjj.weconnect.com