About St. Mary · Solon, Iowa
St. Mary Catholic Church in Solon, Iowa is a Christ-centered sacramental parish community of over 600 (now 700+) families that traces its roots back to 1853, when Irish-born Father Mathias Hammon celebrated the first Mass with four families gathered in a Solon home. Today the parish offers daily and weekend Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, a full K–9 faith formation program, youth ministry, RCIA/OCIA, and an array of liturgical and outreach ministries under the leadership of Fr. Charles Fladung. Its mission is to 'come to know, love and serve God by knowing, loving and serving our neighbors through the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ.'
- Established
- 1853
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (parish name 'St. Mary')
- Rector
- Rev. Charles Fladung
- Diocese
- Diocese of Davenport
Why belong here
St. Mary's draws members by its warm, family-sized atmosphere and its strong celebration of the Sunday Eucharist. The parish serves over 600–700 families in the Solon area and offers Word, Worship and Service ministries for every stage of life — daily and weekend Masses, Monday and Friday Adoration, weekly Confession, K–9 faith formation, youth ministry, RCIA/OCIA, music ministry, and a parish nurse. Newcomers are personally welcomed by the pastor and can register by calling the parish office.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Mondays 5:00 PM – 6:45 PM
- Saturdays 4:00 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Mondays 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- Fridays 9:00 AM Rosary followed by Adoration until Noon
Welcome & Parish Identity
St. Mary's describes itself as a family-style parish that has served Catholic families in the Solon area since 1853. Its stated mission is to 'come to know, love and serve God by knowing, loving and serving our neighbors through the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ,' and its vision is 'to be a Christ centered sacramental parish community, forming intentional disciples while nurturing personal relationships with Jesus.' Newcomers are invited to introduce themselves to Fr. Charles Fladung after a weekend Mass and to register by calling the parish office at 319-624-2228.
- Parish Mission (Divine Mercy focus)
- Parish Vision (intentional disciples)
- New-member registration via parish office
- Pastor personally welcomes visitors after Mass
History of St. Mary Parish
The parish began as a mission of St. Mary's Church in Iowa City. The first Mass in Solon was offered by Rev. Mathias Hannon in 1853 to four families in a home. In 1858 the congregation built a wooden church under the direction of Rev. Edmonds; that structure later burned. Work on the present brick church began in 1875, with parishioners contributing bricks (fired on the Meyer farm), sand (hauled from the river by the Costello brothers), and limestone (from the Beuter quarry). It was dedicated May 17, 1882. At the turn of the century the parish was known for hosting socials, oyster suppers, ice cream sociables, and the annual Fourth of July celebration.
- 1853 — first Mass celebrated by Fr. Mathias Hannon with four families
- 1858 — first wooden church built under Fr. Edmonds, later destroyed by fire
- 1875–1882 — community-built brick church dedicated May 17, 1882
- Late 1800s/early 1900s — lawn parties, oyster suppers, Fourth of July picnics
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Charles Fladung and served by two deacons, a parish secretary/bookkeeper, a Director of Religious Education, a Youth Minister, a Director of Music Ministry, a parish nurse, and custodial staff. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
- Fr. Charles Fladung — Pastor
- Deacon Mitch Holte
- Deacon David Krob
- Nichole Wander — Parish Secretary/Bookkeeper
- Erin Guthrie — Director of Religious Education / SEC
- Jerrod Hilton — Youth Minister
- Cary Brock — Director of Music Ministry
- Nancy Upmeyer — Parish Nurse
- Kristen Ward & Dann Krafka — Custodial Staff
Faith Formation (K–9)
Faith formation at St. Mary's is built on the National Directory for Catechesis and serves children from kindergarten through 9th grade, with Wednesday evening classes that begin with a communal meal prepared by parish families. The program welcomes volunteer catechists, meal-prep teams, and hall monitors, and supports sacramental preparation for First Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation.
- K–9th Grade Wednesday evening classes
- First Eucharist & Reconciliation preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Catechist / Co-Catechist volunteer roles
- Meal Prep & Hospitality teams
- Childcare / Hall Monitor roles
- Contact: Erin Guthrie, DRE
Becoming Catholic (RCIA / OCIA)
The parish runs an OCIA (formerly RCIA) process for adults discerning Catholic faith. The multi-stage journey follows the traditional steps of Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment (culminating in the Rite of Election with Bishop Martin Amos at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport), the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, and ongoing Mystagogy. Inquirers are invited to contact Fr. Charles Fladung at 624-2228.
- Inquiry (summer, no commitment)
- Catechumenate (weekly gatherings)
- Purification & Enlightenment (Lent, Rite of Election)
- Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil
- Mystagogy (ongoing formation)
- Welcomes unbaptized adults, Christians from other traditions, and returning Catholics
Adult Faith Formation & Online Resources
Beyond sacramental prep, the parish promotes adult faith formation, including summer formation opportunities for adults, and recommends the FORMED digital platform for ongoing Catholic content. The parish encourages parishioners to continue growing in their gift of faith through parish offerings and at-home study.
- Adult Faith Formation
- Summer Formation Opportunities for Adults
- FORMED digital content platform
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical ministry is one way the baptized share their gifts with the faith community — whether welcoming as greeters, proclaiming Scripture, leading song, or serving as ushers. The parish invites parishioners to prayerfully consider joining a liturgical ministry.
- Greeters
- Ushers
- Lectors / Scripture readers
- Music ministry (Director: Cary Brock)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (at 10:30 Mass)
- Little Lamb Nursery (at 10:30 Mass)
Parish Life & Outreach
Parish life at St. Mary's is marked by simple, repeated opportunities to gather: a Tuesday potluck follows the 12:10 PM Mass, and the parish hosts community-wide events such as Christ Our Life. The Parish Nurse ministry (Nancy Upmeyer) is part of the parish's holistic care for members. The parish office can be reached at 319-624-2228 or [email protected].
- Tuesday potluck after 12:10 PM Mass
- Christ Our Life regional Catholic event (announced in parish communications)
- Parish Nurse ministry
- Parish office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Visiting & Contact
Visitors can find St. Mary's at 1749 Racine Ave NE, Solon, IA 52333 (clickable directions link is provided on the website). Phone: (319) 624-2228. Fax: (319) 624-3564. Email: [email protected]. Newcomers are warmly invited to introduce themselves to Fr. Fladung after a weekend Mass.
- Address: 1749 Racine Ave NE, Solon, IA 52333
- Phone: (319) 624-2228
- Fax: (319) 624-3564
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Mathias Hannon1853
Irish-born priest who celebrated the first Mass in Solon with four families gathered in a home.
- Rev. Edmonds1850s
Took charge of building the parish's first church (a wooden structure completed in 1858, later destroyed by fire).
- Rev. (unnamed)1875–1882
Oversaw construction of the brick church dedicated May 17, 1882.