About St. Mary · Grinnell, Iowa
St. Mary Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Grinnell, Iowa, part of the Diocese of Davenport. The parish's roots go back to 1864, when the first Mass in Grinnell was celebrated in a railroad worker's home; the present church at 1002 Broad Street was designed by architect John Normile, built by Nettcott Brothers, and dedicated on February 22, 1927. Today the parish offers Sunday and weekday Masses, Saturday confessions, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a range of faith-formation, family-life, social-action, and liturgical ministries. The current Parochial Administrator is Rev. Dominic Nguyen, who serves alongside Deacon John Osborne, Director of Religious Education Angelina Willard, and Office Manager Jay Deitrich.
- Established
- 1864
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (parish name: St. Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Dominic Nguyen (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Davenport
Why belong here
St. Mary is a welcoming mid-sized parish rooted in 160 years of Catholic life in Grinnell, anchored by a beautiful 1927 church on Broad Street. Parishioners are drawn into community through ministries organized under Faith Formation, Family Life, Social Action, Church Life, and Worship & Spirituality — including religious education for children, ongoing opportunities for stewardship of time and talent, and a clear liturgical rhythm of Sunday Mass, weekday Masses, Saturday confessions, and weekly Thursday Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction. Whether you are a long-time parishioner, a newcomer to Grinnell, or just passing through, the parish invites you to register, get involved, and make St. Mary your spiritual home.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 1:45 PM – 2:55 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Adoration with Exposition & Benediction)
Parish History
St. Mary traces its origins to 1864, when Catholic railroad workers stranded in Grinnell by the failure of the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad gathered for Mass in private homes. The parish's first church, St. Columbanus, was built in 1883 under Father John Kempker. The present church, designed by architect John Normile and built by the Nettcott Brothers, was dedicated on February 22, 1927, and has been repeatedly renovated over the past century, most recently for the 1984 centennial rededication.
- 1864 — First Mass in Grinnell celebrated in the home of John Smith.
- November 1883 — St. Columbanus Church dedicated under Father John Kempker; about 25 parish families.
- January 1913 — Father Maurice J. Hannon arrives as Grinnell's first resident pastor; launches the building fund for a larger church.
- July 22, 1919 — Corner lot at Broad Street and 5th Avenue purchased (contract signed by John Ford).
- 1926 — Architect John Normile and builder Nettcott Brothers hired.
- February 22, 1927 — Present church dedicated; Very Rev. F.J. Leonard officiates.
- 1950 — Exterior remodeled; 1952 — Interior redecorated for the silver jubilee.
- 1964 — New altar installed; 1977 — Ceiling lowered and restrooms remodeled; 1979 — Kitchen remodeled.
- 1984 — Complete renovation for the centennial; church and parish center rededicated.
- July 18, 1993 — Religious Education Center dedicated (former Coast to Coast building across the street).
- Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1996 — Fr. William Reynolds celebrates his first Mass in Grinnell.
- September 2003 — Parish numbers 563 families and growing.
- Early 2027 — Parish celebrates 100th anniversary of the present church building.
Leadership & Staff
The parish is served by a small, dedicated staff and an active Parish Council.
- Rev. Dominic Nguyen — Parochial Administrator
- Dcn. John Osborne — Deacon
- Angelina Willard — Director of Religious Education
- Jay Deitrich — Office Manager
- Parish Council (monthly published minutes)
Office Hours & Contact
The parish office welcomes visitors and calls during business hours. Messages left for Anointing of the Sick or other appointments are returned by staff.
- Monday – Thursday — 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 12:30 PM – [4:30 PM]
- Friday — 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Phone — (641) 236-7486
- Email — [email protected]
- Address — 1002 Broad Street, Grinnell, IA 50112
Ministries
The parish organizes its ministries under five umbrella areas, and invites parishioners to share their time and talent through a Time & Talent commitment process. Every area — from teaching the faith to feeding the hungry to singing in the choir — is part of the parish's life-blood.
- Faith Formation (Religious Education for children, directed by Angelina Willard)
- Family Life
- Social Action
- Church Life
- Worship & Spirituality
- Stewardship of Time and Talent
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Mary is led by Director of Religious Education Angelina Willard. The program prepares children and families for the sacraments and ongoing Catholic life, using the Religious Education Center across the street from the church (the former Coast to Coast building dedicated July 18, 1993).
- Children's religious education classes
- Director of Religious Education: Angelina Willard
- Dedicated Religious Education Center on Broad Street
Worship & Spirituality
Beyond the regular Mass and confession schedule, the parish cultivates a Eucharistic spirituality centered on Thursday Adoration with Exposition and Benediction, with opportunities for holy hours combining adoration and confession announced through the Parish Council.
- Thursday Eucharistic Adoration with Exposition & Benediction, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Periodic Holy Hours combining adoration and confession (announced in Parish Council minutes)
- Communion Service on Fridays at 8:30 AM when no Mass is scheduled
Family Life
Family Life ministries gather the parish around shared meals and celebrations, from pancake breakfasts after Sunday Mass to the annual Eucharistic Procession and Consecration that walks from the church through surrounding Grinnell streets.
- Pancake breakfast (e.g., hosted June 7 in conjunction with the Eucharistic Procession)
- Eucharistic Procession & Consecration (community walk from the church)
- Parish hospitality and fellowship events
Social Action
The Social Action umbrella channels parishioner outreach to those in need, both locally and through the wider Diocese of Davenport community.
Church Life
Church Life ministries cover the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the parish running — from Parish Council leadership to facility rentals and stewardship.
- Parish Council (monthly published minutes)
- Facility rental for family reunions, birthdays, and organization meetings
- Time & Talent stewardship sign-up
Sacraments
Information about celebrating the sacraments at St. Mary is shared through the parish office.
- Eucharist — see Mass schedule (Sun 10:30 AM; Sat 4 PM; Tue 5:30 PM; Thu 8:30 AM)
- Reconciliation — Saturday 1:45 PM – 2:55 PM, or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — call the parish office at (641) 236-7486 to schedule
- Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction — Thursdays 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Parish Life & Events
The parish keeps an active public calendar of events — from the annual Pancake Breakfast and Eucharistic Procession in early June, to All Saints Day Masses, to the 100th-anniversary celebration of the current church building in early 2027, when Bishop Walsh was scheduled to preside at both the Saturday and Sunday liturgies.
- June 7 — Eucharistic Procession & Consecration (annual)
- Pancake breakfast after Sunday Mass (parish hospitality)
- 100th anniversary of the present church building — early 2027 (Bishop Walsh visiting)
- All Saints Day Mass — November 1 at 7:00 AM
- Weekly bulletin published on the parish website
Facility Rental
St. Mary welcomes outside groups and parishioners to reserve space in the parish facility for family or organizational events.
- Parishioner Request form (family events)
- Organization Request form (meetings and group events)
- Reservations handled through the Parishioner Portal
Diocese of Davenport
St. Mary is one of the parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport, which covers the southeastern portion of Iowa. The diocese is currently led by Bishop Dennis G. Walsh, who was scheduled to celebrate the 100th-anniversary Masses of the present church building in early 2027.
- Diocese of Davenport
- Bishop Dennis G. Walsh (bishop-elect announced in 2024)
- Email uses the diocesal domain: @diodav.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John Kempker1883 (founding)
Driving force behind the building of the parish's first church, St. Columbanus, which he designed and which was dedicated in November 1883.
- Father Maurice J. HannonJanuary 1913
Grinnell's first resident pastor; launched the building fund that led to the present church.
- Father William Reynoldsfrom Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1996
Celebrated his first Mass in Grinnell on Thanksgiving Day 1996.
- Rev. Dominic Nguyen
Current Parochial Administrator of St. Mary Parish, Grinnell.