About St Mary of the Visitation · Ottumwa, Iowa
St. Mary of the Visitation is the oldest Catholic parish in Ottumwa, Iowa, established in 1849 when Bishop Mathias Loras of the Diocese of Dubuque sent Father Jean Baptiste Villars to found a congregation in what was then called Louisville. Today it is a multicultural Catholic parish in the Diocese of Davenport that celebrates Mass in English and Spanish, and on special occasions also in Chuukese for its Micronesian community. The parish's striking Late Gothic Revival church, completed in 1930 of Bedford limestone, stands at the corner of 4th and Court Streets facing Central Park in downtown Ottumwa. On July 1, 2025, St. Mary's merged with neighboring St. Patrick Parish by decree of Bishop Dennis Walsh to form the new St. Joseph Parish; both historic church buildings remain open as worship sites.
- Established
- 1849
- Patron
- The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph Sia (pastor through 2025 merger; now pastor of the merged St. Joseph Parish)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Davenport
Why belong here
St. Mary's welcomes parishioners into the oldest Catholic community in Ottumwa, with a downtown landmark church where Mass is celebrated in English, Spanish and occasionally Chuukese, reflecting its multicultural character. The parish shares a strong faith-formation program (Religious Education on Wednesdays, First Communion and Confirmation preparation, OCIA, and a high-school youth group) with neighboring St. Patrick and St. Mary Magdalen-Bloomfield. As part of the new St. Joseph Parish since July 1, 2025, the community has chosen to come together 'to put God first,' combining worship sites, staff and ministries so that spiritual formation, outreach and evangelization can be carried out with greater strength.
Mass times at St Mary of the Visitation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–4:00 PM
- By appointment (call 641-682-4559)
History of St. Mary of the Visitation
St. Mary of the Visitation Parish was established in 1849 when Bishop Mathias Loras of the Diocese of Dubuque sent Father Jean Baptiste Villars from Keokuk to purchase lots and a cemetery in the pioneer community of Louisville (later Ottumwa) for $1,100. Father Villars organized the congregation and built a small wooden St. Nicholas Church near today's Court and Fourth streets. Father Alexander Hattenberger succeeded him in 1850, built the first small brick church, and was the first priest to celebrate Mass in what would become Des Moines before being reassigned in 1853. Father John Kreckel then took over and served until his death in 1899, overseeing a vast 13-county territory and founding churches at Eddyville, Georgetown and Bauer. The parish built a larger native-limestone church in 1860–61, which was razed in 1929 to make way for the present Late Gothic Revival church.
- 1849 — Parish founded by Father Jean Baptiste Villars at the direction of Bishop Mathias Loras.
- 1850–1853 — Father Alexander Hattenberger builds the first brick St. Mary's.
- 1853–1899 — Father John Kreckel's 46-year pastorate; 13-county territory.
- 1860–61 — Second, larger native-limestone church built on the same site.
- 1881 — Parish becomes part of the newly created Diocese of Davenport.
- 1929 — 1861 church razed to make way for the current building.
- 1930 — Current Late Gothic Revival church completed and dedicated.
The 1930 Church Building
The present St. Mary of the Visitation Church was designed by C.I. Krajewski of Dubuque, Iowa in the Late Gothic Revival style and built of blocks of Bedford limestone. It features an asymmetrical facade and a corner bell tower crenellated across the top, with finials on three corners and a copper-covered lantern topped by a cross on the fourth. Inside, the traditional Latin Cross floor plan has a long, narrow nave flanked by two side aisles separated by Gothic arches, with a transept forming the cross. Large Emil Frei stained-glass clerestory windows line the walls, the light fixtures were designed by the Beardslee Chandelier Company of Chicago, and a large pipe organ was installed in the 1990s.
- Architect: C.I. Krajewski, Dubuque, Iowa
- Style: Late Gothic Revival
- Material: Bedford limestone
- Stained glass: Emil Frei, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri
- Light fixtures: Beardslee Chandelier Company, Chicago
- Pipe organ installed in the 1990s
- Carved fleur-de-lis symbols flank the main entrance, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary
Parish Schools
Catholic education in Ottumwa has deep roots at St. Mary's. The Visitation Sisters opened a convent and academy for girls in 1862; the Congregation of the Humility of Mary began teaching boys in the rectory in 1877 and took over the parish school after purchasing the Visitation convent as their motherhouse in 1890. High school grades were added in 1926, and in 1935 the three Ottumwa parishes joined to support Central Catholic High School; a new building in 1954 was renamed Walsh. After a community vote closed Walsh and the parish grade schools in 1970, the Ottumwa parishes opened a new joint grade school in 1975 named Seton, with classes held in the St. Mary's and St. Patrick's school buildings.
- 1862 — Visitation Sisters found convent and academy for girls.
- 1877 — Congregation of the Humility of Mary opens boys' school in the rectory.
- 1926 — High school grades added.
- 1935 — Three Ottumwa parishes found Central Catholic High School.
- 1954 — New high school building; renamed Walsh.
- 1970 — Walsh and parish grade schools close by community vote.
- 1975 — Seton Catholic grade school opens as inter-parochial school.
Becoming St. Joseph Parish (2025 Merger)
After years of pastoral clustering, strategic planning and consultation with diocesan leaders, Bishop Dennis Walsh decreed on July 1, 2025 that St. Mary of the Visitation and St. Patrick parishes would be canonically merged into a single new parish named St. Joseph. The two church buildings remain open as worship sites and retain their individual names. The merger was celebrated on June 29, 2025 with a 1.3-mile Eucharistic procession from St. Patrick Church to St. Mary of the Visitation, ending in Central Park with Benediction. Participants sang the Glorious Mysteries of the rosary and hymns in English, Spanish and Chuukese, drawing an estimated 200 people.
- Merger effective July 1, 2025 by decree of Bishop Dennis Walsh.
- New parish name: St. Joseph Parish — honoring the former Catholic hospital in Ottumwa.
- Both St. Mary's and St. Patrick church buildings remain open as worship sites.
- Father Joseph Sia, previously shared pastor, continues as pastor of St. Joseph Parish.
- Father Isaac Doucette serves as parochial vicar.
- Pastoral planning led by Father Sia, Bishop Walsh and diocesan director Dan Ebener.
Clergy and Staff
Father Joseph Sia has been the pastor of the Ottumwa Catholic community since 2023, when he arrived as shared pastor of St. Mary's, St. Patrick's and St. Mary Magdalen-Bloomfield. Following the 2025 merger he became pastor of the new St. Joseph Parish, with Father Isaac Doucette as parochial vicar. Ana De La Torre serves as Director of Religious Education, and Anna Maria Billy — a member of the Micronesian community — serves as Director of Evangelization and OCIA.
- Pastor: Rev. Joseph Sia
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Isaac Doucette
- Director of Religious Education: Ana De La Torre (641-680-2797)
- Director of Evangelization / OCIA: Anna Maria Billy (641-682-4559)
- Parish Office (Hablamos Español): 641-682-4559 — Tuesday–Friday, 10 AM–4 PM
Multicultural Worship: English, Spanish and Chuukese
St. Mary's has long been a multicultural parish. As Hispanic Catholic families settled in the Ottumwa area, the parish became the home of Spanish-language Mass; more recently, a growing Micronesian community (including families from Chuuk / the Federated States of Micronesia) has added Chuukese hymn-singing and devotions, especially for special occasions like the 2025 merger procession. The parish office maintains bilingual signage and is staffed to serve Spanish speakers in person and by phone.
- English-language Masses on Saturday Vigil and Sunday mornings.
- Spanish-language Mass each Sunday at 12:45 PM and Friday evening at 5:15 PM.
- Chuukese hymns and prayers used for major parish events and devotions.
- Parish office bilingual (English/Spanish): 'Hablamos Español'.
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious Education is shared across St. Mary of the Visitation, St. Patrick and St. Mary Magdalen-Bloomfield and is administered by Ana De La Torre. Classes in Ottumwa meet on Wednesday evenings from September through April; Sacramental preparation for First Communion is offered for students in 2nd grade and up, and Confirmation preparation is offered for 8th graders, with the Confirmation ceremony alternating between St. Mary's and St. Patrick. The parish also runs an OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program under Anna Maria Billy and a High School Youth Ministry that meets about once a month. With Catholic Extension Society grant support, monthly Family Formation Nights bring 80–100 families together for bilingual catechesis — Father Sia leading in Spanish and the parochial vicar leading in English.
- Wednesday-evening Religious Education, September–April.
- First Communion preparation (2nd grade and older).
- Confirmation preparation (8th grade); ceremony in fall, alternating between the two churches.
- OCIA for adults — contact Anna Maria Billy, 641-682-4559.
- High School Youth Ministry — monthly meetings.
- Family Formation Nights with Catholic Extension grant, bilingual catechesis.
Sacraments
St. Mary's celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments, with scheduled parish programs for First Communion and Confirmation and OCIA for adults seeking Baptism, Eucharist or Confirmation. Reconciliation is heard Saturday afternoons before the Vigil Mass and by appointment. Couples should contact the parish office for marriage preparation; the Anointing of the Sick is available by appointment, and arrangements can also be made for families in hospitals or care facilities.
- Baptism — by arrangement with the parish office.
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:00–4:00 PM and by appointment.
- First Communion — preparation for 2nd grade and up.
- Confirmation — 8th-grade preparation; ceremony in fall.
- Marriage — contact the parish office.
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment.
- OCIA — for adults, led by Anna Maria Billy.
Getting Involved and Parish Life
Parishioners are encouraged to register as members, join the many ministries (Religious Education, OCIA, Youth Ministry, Hispanic and Chuukese community outreach, liturgical ministries) and support the parish's strategic plan. As one parish leader put it, the community sees itself 'growing in commitment to Christ, proclaiming the Good News and offering charity to all.' Following the 2025 merger, the combined parishes are pooling volunteer, financial and human resources so that ministries can be sustained and new outreach — including evangelization and family catechesis — can grow.
- Parish registration through the parish office.
- Volunteer opportunities in Religious Education, Youth Ministry, OCIA, Hispanic and Micronesian outreach, and liturgical ministries.
- Participation in Family Formation Nights and the parish's strategic plan.
- Support of Seton Catholic School as the inter-parish grade school.
Visiting St. Mary's and Central Park
The church sits at the corner of 4th and Court Streets in downtown Ottumwa, facing Central Park — the civic center of the community, flanked by the Wapello County Courthouse, the Ottumwa Public Library and Ottumwa City Hall. Street parking is available on the surrounding downtown blocks. The parish office is a short walk away at 222 N. Ward St., open Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM.
- Worship site: 216 N. Court Street (4th & Court Streets), facing Central Park.
- Parish Office: 222 N. Ward Street, Ottumwa, IA.
- Open hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM.
- Phone: 641-682-4559 (Hablamos Español).
- Setting: Central Park civic district, downtown Ottumwa.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Jean Baptiste Villars1849–1850
Sent by Bishop Mathias Loras from Keokuk; founded the parish and built the first small wooden St. Nicholas Church.
- Rev. Alexander Hattenberger1850–1853
Built the first brick St. Mary of the Visitation Church; first priest to celebrate Mass in what would become Des Moines; transferred to Fort Madison.
- Rev. John Kreckel1853–1899
Served until his death; oversaw an enormous 13-county territory and founded churches at Eddyville, Georgetown and Bauer.
- Rev. F.W. Hoppearly 1900s
Credited with planning and financing the current Gothic Revival church; died in 1924.
- Rev. J.M. Walshafter 1924
Succeeded Father Hopp and oversaw construction of the present church building.
- Rev. Joseph Sia2023–2025 (merged)
Arrived 2023 as shared pastor of St. Mary's, St. Patrick's and St. Mary Magdalen-Bloomfield; led the parishes into the July 1, 2025 merger that created St. Joseph Parish.