About St Mary · Riverside, Iowa
St. Mary's Catholic Church is a historic parish of the Diocese of Davenport located in the small town of Riverside, Iowa. The parish was established in 1876 to serve the German and Irish Catholic families who had settled in Riverside after the railroad arrived, and the present Gothic Revival church has stood at the corner of St. Mary's and Washburn Streets since 1907. Since the late 1990s, St. Mary's has been clustered with Holy Trinity Parish in Richmond and St. Joseph Parish in Wellman, sharing clergy and pastoral staff under a single pastor who resides in the Riverside rectory. The entire parish complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as St. Mary's Parish Church Buildings.
- Established
- 1876
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary)
- Rector
- Fr. Ben Snyder
- Diocese
- Diocese of Davenport (transferred from the Diocese of Dubuque when the Diocese of Davenport was established in 1881)
Why belong here
St. Mary's welcomes parishioners into a historic small-town Catholic community in the Diocese of Davenport, where the matching-brick 1907 Gothic Revival church and its St. Mary's Education and Conference Center host a full schedule of cluster-wide liturgies and faith-formation programs. As one of three clustered parishes (with Holy Trinity in Richmond and St. Joseph in Wellman), the parish offers RCIA, religious education for preschool through 8th grade, Vacation Bible School, a youth group for grades 7-12, Knights of Columbus fellowship, the Legion of Mary, Bible study, and a monthly food pantry — all under the care of a pastor and deacon who live in the parish. Visitors are invited to attend Sunday Mass at 10:00 a.m. or Friday daily Mass at 8:30 a.m. and to become part of a community that has served Riverside's Catholics since 1876.
Mass times at St Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
About St. Mary's Catholic Church
St. Mary's Catholic Church is a historic parish of the Diocese of Davenport located in the small town of Riverside, Iowa. Established in 1876 to serve the German and Irish Catholic families who had settled in Riverside after the railroad arrived, the parish has worshipped on the same block at the corner of St. Mary's and Washburn Streets for nearly 150 years. Since the late 1990s, St. Mary's has been clustered with Holy Trinity Parish in Richmond and St. Joseph Parish in Wellman, sharing clergy and pastoral staff under a single pastor who resides in the Riverside rectory. The entire parish complex — church, rectory, former church/parish hall, and former school building — is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as St. Mary's Parish Church Buildings.
- Cluster parishes: Holy Trinity (Richmond) and St. Joseph (Wellman)
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1979)
- Part of the Diocese of Davenport
Parish History
Catholic life in the area predates the town of Riverside itself. In 1846 the Rev. John Alleman organized a parish named St. Vincent two miles west of present-day Riverside, near the English River, where he built a log church and laid out a townsite called Strassburg. After the Muscatine Western Railroad built a line through the area in 1872, residents of nearby Yatton crossed the river to be near the railroad and helped establish Riverside. As German and Irish Catholic families grew in number, the community decided to build a church in town.
Founding and the First Church (1876–1907)
St. Mary's parish was established in 1876 with the Rev. William Purcell as its first pastor. The original brick church, built by H.L. Swift, was completed in time for its first Mass on Palm Sunday in 1877. At the time, the parish belonged to the Diocese of Dubuque; five years later, in 1881, it transferred to the newly established Diocese of Davenport. A rectory was built to the north of the church in the 1880s, and during the pastorate of Rev. A.J. Drexler a combination school and convent building was constructed west of the church in 1888–1889.
- Founded 1876; first Mass Palm Sunday 1877
- Original brick church built by H.L. Swift
- First pastor: Rev. William Purcell
- Transferred to Diocese of Davenport in 1881
The Jacobsmeier Building Program (1905–1912)
The Rev. Bernard Jacobsmeier began a 40-year pastorate in 1905 and immediately launched a building program that produced the present Gothic Revival church, designed by architect Martin Herr. The new church was built on the site of the old rectory, which was removed; the original 1877 church was converted into a parish hall with a second-floor auditorium; and a matching-brick rectory was built next to the church in 1908. In 1912 a new school completed the parish complex, and the combination school/convent was remodeled for exclusive use as a convent.
- 40-year pastorate of Rev. Bernard Jacobsmeier beginning in 1905
- Present church designed by Martin Herr (Gothic Revival)
- Rectory built 1908; new school built 1912
Schools Through the Years
St. Mary's has operated schools at various points across its history. The first grade school opened in 1878, and a combination school building and convent was constructed west of the church in 1888–1889. Franciscan Sisters taught in the school from 1889 to 1902, followed by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A parish-supported high school opened in 1912 but was discontinued in 1960; the grade school closed for the first time in 1969. Under the Rev. Thomas Mohr, the grade school reopened in 1978, enrolling 36 students in preschool through sixth grade. The Franciscan Sisters of Christ the Divine Teacher from Davenport began teaching in the school in the 1980s, but financial burden and low enrollment led to another closure. The school building has since been sold and the convent torn down and replaced by a parking lot.
- First grade school opened 1878
- Franciscan Sisters taught 1889–1902
- Sisters of Charity of the BVM succeeded them
- Parish high school 1912–1960
- Grade school reopened 1978 under Rev. Thomas Mohr
- School building sold; convent replaced by parking lot
Renovations and the Education Center
Many updates have been made to the historic church grounds over the decades. A copper roof was installed on the church in 1986. The church basement was renovated and an entrance added to serve as the Parish Hall during the pastorate of Rev. John Gallagher. A replacement of the original Italian-carved marble statue of St. Mary — sculpted by the same Italian firm that fashioned the original — was delivered to the church in 2006. Under Rev. Richard Adam, the convent was leveled to make room for a new addition known as St. Mary's Hall, and the interior was renovated to create the St. Mary's Education and Conference Center, dedicated in August 2011.
- Copper roof installed 1986
- Parish Hall renovation under Rev. John Gallagher
- Replacement St. Mary statue delivered 2006
- St. Mary's Education and Conference Center dedicated August 2011
Architecture and Notable Features
The present church is a Gothic Revival brick building designed by architect Martin Herr and begun in 1905. Its interior is adorned with original stained glass windows donated by ancestors of member families, original wooden altars, beautiful murals above the side altars, and a fresco of St. Cecilia. St. Mary's also houses one of the very few remaining pneumatic Wanger pipe organs, maintained in original, unaltered condition. The 1877 original church still stands on the grounds and has been incorporated into the St. Mary's Education and Conference Center.
- Gothic Revival style by architect Martin Herr
- Original stained glass windows donated by member families' ancestors
- Pneumatic Wanger pipe organ maintained in original condition
- Fresco of St. Cecilia above the side altars
Cluster Parishes
Since the late 1990s, St. Mary's has been clustered with two neighboring parishes, sharing clergy and pastoral staff under a single pastor who resides in the Riverside rectory. The cluster is sometimes referenced on the parish website as 'Holy Family Parish.'
- St. Mary's, Riverside
- Holy Trinity, Richmond
- St. Joseph, Wellman
Staff
The cluster parishes are served by a small pastoral team led by the pastor, who resides at the Riverside rectory, together with a deacon, business administrator, financial secretary, and youth minister.
- Fr. Ben Snyder — Pastor
- Dcn. Derick Cranston — Pastoral Associate
- Jane Duwa — Business Administrator
- Tami Plank — Financial Secretary
- Angie Goodwin — Youth Minister
Faith Formation
The Faith Formation Commission develops, implements, and evaluates programs that enrich the faith life of children, youth, and adults across the cluster. Religious education classes for preschool through 8th grade are held on Wednesday evenings throughout the school year. The cluster also offers RCIA, sacramental preparation for all seven sacraments, Vacation Bible School for ages 4–12, a youth group for grades 7–12, and Bible study.
- Religious education preschool–8th grade (Wednesday evenings)
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Sacramental preparation for all seven sacraments
- Vacation Bible School (ages 4–12)
- Youth Group (grades 7–12)
- Bible Study
Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry exists to introduce youth and teenagers to Jesus, nurture them in their faith, and equip them for a lifetime of glorifying God. Holy Family Youth Ministry includes Vacation Bible School (open to all children ages 4–12) and Youth Group (open to all students in grades 7–12). Activities include service projects, trips, and fundraisers.
- VBS ages 4–12
- Youth Group grades 7–12
- Youth Minister: Angie Goodwin
Parish Life and Social Activities
The Church & Parish Life Commission develops a sense of community within the parish through welcoming newcomers, parish socials, dinners, and receptions. The annual Fall Festival/Dinner/Labor Day Celebration features dinner, raffle, bake sale, craft sale, and silent and live auctions. A Funeral Dinner Committee coordinates meals for bereaved families, and the parish also participates in ecumenical activities through the Mid-Prairie Council of Churches (Songfest, Christmas Mission Market, Summer Picnic, Baccalaureate).
- Welcoming committee for new parishioners
- Annual Fall Festival / Labor Day Celebration
- Funeral Dinner Committee
- Mid-Prairie Council of Churches ecumenical activities
Stewardship and Evangelization
The Stewardship & Evangelization Commission educates parishioners and develops stewardship as a way of life within the cluster parishes, coordinating the annual Stewardship Renewal of Time, Talent and Treasure. Lay apostolates active in the cluster include the Knights of Columbus, the National Catholic Foresters, the Legion of Mary, and the Christian Experience Weekend for men and women ages 18 and older.
- Knights of Columbus (KC Breakfast, Coffee & Donuts, Holy Trinity Days, Annual Golf Tournament)
- National Catholic Foresters
- Legion of Mary
- Christian Experience Weekend (men and women, 18+)
Justice, Peace and Social Action
The Justice, Peace & Social Action Commission encourages parishioners to carry out the Church's mission to build a just society locally and globally. Activities include local social action efforts and addressing the root causes of injustice and poverty. The cluster operates a food pantry located at St. Mary's, open the second Saturday of each month, distributing non-perishable food items to community members in need.
- Monthly food pantry at St. Mary's (second Saturday)
- Designated charities for monthly second-weekend collection
- Prayer support for parishioner requests
Visiting and Contact
Visitors are welcome at Sunday Mass at 10:00 a.m. or Friday daily Mass at 8:30 a.m. at St. Mary's. The parish office, Holy Family Parish Office, can be reached by phone during parish hours.
- Address: 51 St. Mary's St., Riverside, Iowa 52327
- Mailing: P.O. Box 41, Riverside, IA 52327
- Phone: 319-648-2331
- Website: http://www.clusterparishes.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Alleman1846-
Organized the original St. Vincent parish west of present-day Riverside near the English River; built a log church and laid out the townsite of Strassburg.
- Rev. William Purcell1876-
Founding pastor of St. Mary's parish in Riverside.
- Rev. A.J. Drexler1888-1889
Pastor during construction of the combination school building and convent west of the church.
- Rev. Bernard Jacobsmeier1905-
40-year pastorate; launched the building program that produced the present church (1907), rectory (1908), and new school (1912).
- Rev. Thomas Mohr
Reopened the parish grade school in 1978.
- Rev. John Gallagher
Renovated the church basement and added an entrance to create the Parish Hall.
- Rev. Richard Adam
Oversaw the building of St. Mary's Hall and renovation into the St. Mary's Education and Conference Center, dedicated August 2011.
- Fr. Ben Snyderpresent
Current pastor of the cluster parishes; resides in the Riverside rectory.