About St. Joseph · Marion, Iowa
St. Joseph Catholic Church is the only Catholic parish in Marion, Iowa, a community of about 6,000 members across roughly 2,000 households in the Cedar Rapids metro area. Belonging to the Archdiocese of Dubuque, the parish is known for its welcoming, friendly atmosphere and a steady rhythm of newcomers — about 10 percent of members are new faces each year, largely due to staffing changes at the area's largest employers. The parish offers weekend and daily Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), Confirmation preparation, a Catholic school (PreK-8), small groups, women's and young-adult ministries, and home visits for the homebound, all rooted in a parish family that traces its roots back to the earliest Catholic settlers of Marion in the 1850s.
- Established
- 1869
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Neil Manternach
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Dubuque
Why belong here
St. Joseph is the only Catholic parish in Marion, Iowa, with a centuries-old tradition of welcoming — built today on roughly 6,000 members and a steady flow of new families. Parishioners of every age and stage find a place here: daily and weekend Mass, Monday Eucharistic Adoration with Exposition and Benediction, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), Confirmation preparation, parish schools of religion, a PreK-8 Catholic school, small faith-sharing groups, women's ministries, a young-adult ministry (YAM) for ages 21–39, and a pastoral team that brings Communion to the homebound. If you are looking for a parish where Sunday Mass and the sacraments are at the heart of parish life, St. Joseph has been that place for the Marion community since 1869.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM (prior to the 4:00 PM Mass)
- By appointment: call the parish office at 319-377-4869
Adoration times
- Monday 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (begins with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and closes with Benediction; no Adoration on Memorial Day)
- Monday 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM at Old St Joseph Church (995 5th Ave, Marion, IA) — interim/expanded schedule as posted
Parish Overview
St. Joseph Parish is the only Catholic church in Marion, Iowa. The parish describes itself as a welcoming, friendly community that embraces members — both new and long-standing — through spiritual, social, educational, and service opportunities. With roughly 6,000 members across 2,000 households, the parish sees about 10 percent turnover each year, largely reflecting employment changes at the area's largest employers. Visitors are invited to attend daily or weekend liturgy or any one of the parish's many activities.
- ~6,000 members in 2,000 households
- Only Catholic parish in Marion, Iowa
- Part of the Archdiocese of Dubuque
- Welcomes new members to register through the parish office
Parish History
Catholic life in Marion began in the 1850s when Father Edmonds came up from Iowa City to offer Mass in the log cabins of early settlers. In 1867 the small group of parishioners decided to build a church, and in 1869 a 24' x 50' wooden structure named Saint Mary was completed at 3rd Avenue and 8th Street. With the coming of the railroad and a wave of Irish families, the church was replaced in 1905 by a larger brick Saint Joseph at 5th Avenue and 10th Street. By the late 1930s and 1940s the parish was growing so fast that religious education classes had spilled into the rectory kitchen.
- 1838: First Catholic settlers travel to Iowa City or Dubuque for Mass
- 1850s: Father Edmonds begins celebrating Mass in settlers' homes
- 1867: Parishioners decide to build a church
- 1869: 24' x 50' wooden Saint Mary church opens at 3rd Ave & 8th St
- 1905: Larger brick Saint Joseph church built at 5th Ave & 10th St
- Late 1930s–1940s: Rapid parish growth; catechism classes overflow into the rectory kitchen
- 1977: Current church completed on land donated by Alma Henderson; seats nearly 800
- 1995: Altar and sanctuary area undergo major renovation
Pastor & Staff
The parish is currently served by Fr. Neil Manternach, who began as pastor in July 2024 after 39 years of priesthood in the Archdiocese of Dubuque — including assignments at Sacred Heart (Waterloo), St. Wenceslaus and St. Ludmila (Cedar Rapids), Sacred Heart (Fillmore), St. Elizabeth Seton (Hiawatha), and Epiphany Parish (Mason City), plus a year of graduate study at Notre Dame, seven years as Director of Liturgy for the archdiocese, and seven years as a high school theology teacher at Waterloo Columbus and Cedar Rapids LaSalle. Three deacons assist the parish: Deacon Dennis Ternes, Deacon Ken Bauer, and Deacon Jeff Volker (Pastoral Minister).
- Pastor: Rev. Neil Manternach (since July 2024)
- Deacon Dennis Ternes — coordinates infant baptism preparation and the Prayer Chain
- Deacon Ken Bauer
- Deacon Jeff Volker — Pastoral Minister; coordinates home visits for the homebound and Women's Ministries
- Adult Faith Formation Director: Bridget Becker ([email protected])
- Confirmation Coordinator: Kristen Perreault
- School Principal (historically): Casey Kettmann
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a full sacramental and faith-formation program for children, teens, and adults. Confirmation preparation begins in 9th grade with the sacrament typically celebrated in 10th grade; OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) is open to non-baptized adults, baptized Christians seeking full communion, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Eucharist or Confirmation. Adult Faith Formation is led by Bridget Becker.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — free; contact Bridget Becker ([email protected])
- Confirmation Prep — begins 9th grade, sacrament in 10th grade; contact Kristen Perreault
- Parish School of Religion (Youth Faith Formation)
- Small Groups — facilitated parish groups of 5–10 adults meeting during the school year
- Adult Faith Formation led by Bridget Becker
St. Joseph Catholic School
St. Joseph Catholic School, located at 1430 14th Street, Marion, IA, serves preschool through 8th grade. Founded in 1947 and accredited by NCEA, NAEYC, and the National Middle School Association, the school integrates Catholic faith throughout the curriculum with 30 minutes of religion instruction four days a week, monthly adoration, and weekly Mass. Extracurriculars include band, choir, Lego League, Mock Trial, Spring Musical, Student Council, Future Scientists and Engineers of America, and instrumental music; the school fields teams in baseball, basketball, football, softball, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling.
- Grades PreK–8; ~173 students; average class size 16; 12:1 student-teacher ratio
- Faith integrated across disciplines: daily religion classes, monthly adoration, weekly Mass
- 7 interscholastic sports; 8+ extracurriculars
- Yearly tuition ~$2,450; financial aid available
- Address: 1430 14th Street, Marion, IA 52302 · 319-377-6348
- Year founded: 1947
Ministries & Outreach
Beyond the sacraments, St. Joseph runs ministries for adults, women, young adults, and those who cannot easily leave home. A Pastoral Minister coordinates home visits bringing Holy Communion to parishioners unable to attend Mass, and an active prayer chain is supported by the deacons. Small groups, women's events, and a young-adult group (YAM) round out the parish's outreach to adults.
- Eucharist for Homebound — coordinated by Deacon Jeff Volker
- Prayer Chain — contact Deacon Jeff (319-377-4869)
- Small Groups for adult faith enrichment and community
- Women's Ministries (incl. Women's Connection for those who have lost a loved one)
- Young Adult Ministry (YAM) for ages 21–39 — contact Tim and Lisa DeWees
- Volunteer Opportunities (sign-up via the parish website)
- Advanced Care Planning Consultants — parish volunteers who help with health-care directives
Sacraments
St. Joseph prepares parishioners for and administers all seven sacraments. Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation, and Matrimony are arranged through the parish office; OCIA prepares adults for the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
- Baptism — preparation for parents via Deacon Dennis Ternes
- Eucharist — including First Communion and ongoing adoration
- Confirmation — 9th–10th grade preparation
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:00–3:30 PM or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — call 319-377-4869
- Matrimony — appointment with a priest or deacon
- Holy Orders — discernment via the parish and the Archdiocese of Dubuque (dbqpriesthood.org)
Self-Guided Tour
The parish website offers a self-guided tour page for visitors who want to learn more about the church building and its features before visiting.
- Available at stjoesmarion.org/self-guided-tour
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone at 319-377-4869. The main church and parish office are at 1790 14th Street, Marion, IA 52302, with the school just down the street at 1430 14th Street.
- Parish Office: 1790 14th Street, Marion, IA 52302
- Phone: 319-377-4869
- School: 1430 14th Street, Marion, IA 52302 · 319-377-6348
- Website: stjoesmarion.org
- Livestream Mass: YouTube (St. Joseph Catholic Church Marion)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Edmonds1850s
Came up from Iowa City to offer Mass in the homes (usually log cabins) of Marion's early settlers.
- Fr. Hartiganearly 1900s
His parishioners purchased property and collected funds for the 1905 brick St. Joseph church.
- Rev. David O'Connorthrough ~2024
Listed as Pastor in the parish bulletin of October 11, 2020.
- Rev. Neil Manternachstarted July 2024
Current pastor; arrived after 39 years of priesthood ministry across the Archdiocese of Dubuque.