About St. John's · Adel, Iowa
St. John's Catholic Church in Adel, Iowa, is a vibrant parish dedicated to loving God, loving neighbors, sharing the Gospel, and building the Kingdom of God. Founded in 1917 as a mission church, it moved into a modern facility in 1970 and expanded with a $2.2 million addition completed in 2014. The parish serves over 400 families and offers a wide range of ministries including youth ministry, adult faith formation, Bible study, and Eucharistic Adoration. It is part of the Diocese of Des Moines and is led by Rev. Michael Hutchison, the canonical administrator.
- Established
- 1917
- Patron
- St. John
- Rector
- Rev. Michael Hutchison
- Diocese
- Diocese of Des Moines
Why belong here
Join St. John’s to experience a warm, welcoming community that offers Bible study, youth ministry, adult faith formation, and Eucharistic Adoration. The parish is committed to building the Kingdom of God through service, prayer, and outreach, with opportunities for all ages to grow in faith and connect with neighbors.
Mass times at St. John's
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday: 9:00–10:00 AM, 1:30–2:30 PM during Adoration
- Saturday: 3:30–4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Friday: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Every second Tuesday from 6–7 PM (Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:00 PM)
Parish History
Catholic faith in the area began in the 1860s with periodic Masses led by Father John Brazill. By 1917, a Gothic-style brick church was built on the corner of 11th and Main Streets, named St. John’s, and dedicated by Bishop Austin Dowling. The parish moved to a modern facility in 1970, with its first Mass held on Christmas Eve 1969. In 1992, Father Martin Chevalier became the first resident priest. A major expansion was completed in 2014 to add a parish hall, bathrooms, classrooms, and offices.
Ministries
St. John’s offers a wide range of ministries including youth ministry, adult faith formation, Bible study, and Eucharistic Adoration. The parish also has committees focused on safety, finance, fellowship, and respect life, ensuring a well-rounded community of service and spiritual growth.
- Youth Ministry (High School)
- Adult Faith Formation
- Bible Study
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Rosary
- Works of Mercy Committee
- Respect Life Committee
- Safety Committee
- Fellowship Committee
- Finance Council
- Pastoral Council
- Faith Formation Advisory Committee
Mass & Sacraments
Mass is celebrated on weekends and weekdays, with multiple times each day. Confession is available on Friday and Saturday. Eucharistic Adoration is held Friday mornings and every second Tuesday evening. The parish offers sacraments including Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders.
Faith Formation
The parish offers K-12 Faith Formation, Adult Faith Formation, and the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA). Bible Study is held every Thursday after Mass. The parish also hosts events like the Back to School Picnic and the Christ Our Life Conference.
- K-12 Faith Formation
- Adult Faith Formation
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
- Bible Study
- Back to School Picnic
- Christ Our Life Conference