St. Mary

Welcome to Holy Mary Cluster

St. Mary's Catholic Church in Larchwood and Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids together form the Holy Mary Cluster, a paired-parish arrangement that allows the two small northwest Iowa communities to share a pastor and resources. The cluster is led by Rev. Francis Makwinja of the Diocese of Sioux City, with a retired deacon, Jeff Gallagher, also serving. The parish office for St. Mary's can be reached at (712) 477-2273 or [email protected].

Becoming a Parishioner & Newcomers

Anyone moving into the area or simply wishing to register at St. Mary's is warmly welcomed. Newcomer registration forms are available in the main entrance of the church, by contacting the parish office by phone or email, or by downloading a Membership form from the parish website.

• Registration forms in the main entrance
• Available by phone (712) 477-2273
• Available by email — [email protected]
• Membership form downloadable from the parish website

Sacraments

The seven sacraments are central to parish life at St. Mary's. Parents expecting a baptism are asked to contact the pastor to schedule, and a Baptism Register form is available. Couples preparing for marriage should contact the pastor at least nine months before the wedding date. Adults seeking full membership in the Catholic Church journey through the parish's RCIA program, which runs each year from September to Easter.

• Baptism — contact the pastor; Baptism Register form provided
• Marriage Prep — contact pastor at least 9 months in advance
• Reconciliation — half hour before weekend Masses or by appointment
• RCIA (Adult Inquiry) — September through Easter

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Religious education is one of the parish's ongoing ministries, listed alongside the weekly bulletin and calendar of events on the parish website. The parish also points parishioners to Formed.org, the Augustine Institute's digital Catholic content platform, for at-home faith enrichment for all ages.

• Religious Education program (parish-based)
• Formed.org access for parishioners
• Volunteer Ministry schedule published in the bulletin

Parish Organizations & Lay Groups

St. Mary's has a long tradition of lay organizations that have sustained parish life since the early twentieth century. The Catholic Order of Foresters was founded among the men in 1901; the Altar Society followed in 1912; the Women's Catholic Order of Foresters started in 1948; and the Holy Name men's club was formed in 1951. St. Mary's Sodality was begun in 1940, and the Catholic Students' Mission Crusade organized parish youth two years earlier. These groups remain part of the cluster's life today under the broader heading of 'Women's Organizations' and the Holy Name Men's Group.

• Altar Society (since 1912)
• Catholic Order of Foresters (since 1901) / Women's Catholic Order of Foresters (since 1948)
• Holy Name Men's Club (since 1951)
• St. Mary's Sodality (since 1940)
• Catholic Students' Mission Crusade
• Women's Organizations and Holy Name Men's Group (current cluster ministries)

Stewardship & Giving

The parish website lists 'Ways to Give' among its top navigation items and points parishioners to the Financial Report page. AmazonSmile links are also published so members can direct a portion of their Amazon purchases to St. Mary's and to Holy Name at no extra cost.

• Ways to Give (parish website)
• Parish Financial Report page
• AmazonSmile donation links for both St. Mary's and Holy Name

Bulletin, Calendar & Communications

The parish's Weekly Bulletin carries the most up-to-date information about Mass intentions, schedules, and ministry activities, and is published on the parish website along with a Calendar of Events. A Volunteer Ministry Schedule helps parishioners know when they are scheduled to serve. The parish also maintains an active Facebook presence under the name 'St. Mary Catholic Church-Larchwood, Iowa.'

• Weekly Bulletin (parish website)
• Calendar of Events (parish website)
• Volunteer Ministry Schedule
• Facebook: facebook.com/stmarylarchwood

A Walk Through Parish History

St. Mary's story is one of immigrant Catholic families settling the Iowa–South Dakota borderland and building a parish that has lasted more than 125 years. The first Mass in Larchwood was celebrated in 1887 in Father Phelan's Land and Weighing office by nine Catholic families. After a school house was donated for worship in 1888, the community was officially established as a parish in 1898 with Father George Cooke as the first resident pastor. The original church was built that year and moved to its present location in 1905. Over the decades the parish erected a new grade school (1965), produced four priests and seventeen women religious, sent a lay missionary to Brazil (1964), and partnered with Holy Name in Rock Rapids to form today's Holy Mary Cluster.

• 1887 — First Mass in Larchwood, offered by Father Phelan of Rock Valley
• 1888 — Old school building donated for Catholic worship
• 1898 — Parish officially established; Father George Cooke first resident pastor
• 1905 — Church moved to its present location; new rectory purchased
• 1912 — Altar Society formed
• 1940 — St. Mary's Sodality begun
• 1965 — New grade school constructed
• 1964 — Marvin Schuttloffel joins Papal Volunteers to Latin America
• Today — Paired with Holy Name (Rock Rapids) as the Holy Mary Cluster, Diocese of Sioux City