About St. Mary · Centerville, Iowa
St. Mary's Catholic Church in Centerville, Iowa, is a Roman Latin rite parish of the Diocese of Davenport founded in 1870. For 86 years it was served by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.), from 1938 until July 2024, when pastoral care passed to diocesan clergy. The parish describes itself as a welcoming Catholic community whose life is rooted in fidelity to the Gospel, the Magisterium, and the Church, walking with parishioners 'from the happiest and most exciting of days to days that are dark and full of struggle.' Today it is pastored by Fr. Ron Hodges, who also serves neighboring St. Patrick's in Melrose with Deacon Ed.
- Established
- 1870
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary)
- Rector
- Fr. Ron Hodges
- Diocese
- Diocese of Davenport
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a small but lively Catholic community with a long heritage in Centerville — 150+ years of worship in the same parish since 1870. Visitors will find the classic round of parish life: weekday and weekend Mass, monthly Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction, Saturday confession, and a faith formation program for children and youth, along with sacramental preparation for adults. Because it is now served directly by the Diocese of Davenport under Fr. Ron Hodges, the parish is intentionally 'on the move, rising to the challenge of faith in modern times,' welcoming people in every stage of life and faith journey.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:30 pm
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Third Thursday of the month, following the 8:00 am Mass, concluding with Benediction at 5:00 pm (8:30 am – 4:30 pm adoration)
About St. Mary's Catholic Church
St. Mary's is the Catholic parish of Centerville, Iowa, in Appanoose County. The parish was founded in 1870 and for most of its modern life was served by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.) from 1938 until July 2024, when pastoral care passed to the Diocese of Davenport. The parish's website opens with the greeting 'Celebrating Together' and emphasizes that 'the Catholic Faith is deeply instilled in our church community and serves as the foundation for everything we do.' It is a Roman Latin rite parish under the Diocese of Davenport.
- Parish name: St. Mary's Catholic Church
- Founded: 1870
- Location: Centerville, Iowa
- Rite: Roman Latin
- Diocese: Davenport
Parish History
St. Mary's traces its origins to 1870. The defining era of its recent history began in 1938, when the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.) arrived to staff the parish. Founded in 1815 by St. Gaspar del Bufalo and brought to the United States in the 1840s, the C.PP.S. are devoted to renewal of the Church through preaching of the Word and devotion to the Precious Blood of Christ. They served St. Mary's continuously for 86 years, until July 2024, when the parish transitioned to direct diocesan care.
- Founded: 1870
- C.PP.S. presence: 1938 – July 2024
- Pastoral transition to Diocese of Davenport: July 2024
- Heritage congregation: Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Mary's is offered for parishioners of every age, with a stated goal of inviting people 'in every season of life to commit to growing in spirit and faith.' The Religious Education Program supplements the formation that begins in the home and supports Catholic school-age children, while RCIA welcomes adults preparing to enter full communion with the Church.
- Religious Education for children
- Youth Ministry
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
- Bible Study / Small Group Bible Study
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for all the standard Catholic sacraments. Families preparing for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, or Matrimony are asked to contact the parish office; adult Confirmation candidates and those interested in RCIA are directed to the parish office for next steps.
- Baptism (infant and adult through RCIA)
- First Reconciliation
- First Holy Communion
- Confirmation
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- Reconciliation (Confession)
Our Clergy & Staff
St. Mary's Centerville and St. Patrick's Melrose share a pastoral team under Fr. Ron Hodges, with the assistance of a permanent deacon. Fr. Hodges was originally ordained a priest of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood at St. Meinrad Archabbey in 2006 and was incardinated into the Diocese of Davenport on March 3, 2013, bringing nearly two decades of pastoral experience to the assignment he began in summer 2024.
- Pastor: Fr. Ron Hodges
- Deacon: Deacon Ed (ordained a permanent deacon in 2013)
- Linked parish: St. Patrick's, Melrose
Support the Parish
The parish facilitates online giving for the support of its mission and ministries. Visitors and parishioners can give through the link on the parish website.
- Online Giving (via parish website)
Contact & Visit
St. Mary's is located on South 18th Street in Centerville, the county seat of Appanoose County in south-central Iowa. The parish rectory phone line is staffed for inquiries about Mass, sacraments, faith formation, and pastoral needs.
- Address: 828 S 18th Street, Centerville, IA 52544
- Phone: (641) 437-1984
- Website: stmaryscenterville.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.)1938 – July 2024
The C.PP.S. served St. Mary's continuously for 86 years following their arrival in 1938. Specific individual pastors are not listed on the current parish website.
- Fr. Ron HodgesSummer 2024 – present
Ordained in 2006 at St. Meinrad Archabbey as an order priest of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood; incardinated into the Diocese of Davenport on March 3, 2013. Previously served at Our Lady of Victory in Davenport, and as parochial vicar at St. Mary, Pella and St. Mary, Oskaloosa (2011–13); then pastor of St. Mary, Grinnell and priest moderator of Immaculate Conception, Colfax. Assigned to St. Mary's Centerville and St. Patrick's, Melrose in summer 2024.