About St Mary · Wilton, Iowa
St. Mary Catholic Church is a small, welcoming parish in Wilton, Iowa, part of the Diocese of Davenport. Its story stretches back to 1857, when Father Peter Magne celebrated the first Mass in the community; the parish traces its current location on East 3rd Street to a small frame church built the following year. Today the parish gathers for Sunday Mass at 8:30 a.m. and is served by Deacon Dan Freeman as Parish Life Coordinator, with Rev. Robert 'Bud' Grant as Sacramental Minister, and supported by a Director of Religious Education and a parish Office Manager. Its mission, as stated on the website, is to be a faith community 'rooted in Jesus' and dedicated to prayer, worship, stewardship, faith formation, evangelization, and service.
- Established
- 1857
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Robert 'Bud' Grant (Sacramental Minister); Deacon Dan Freeman (Parish Life Coordinator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Davenport
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a small, family-sized Catholic community where parishioners truly know one another. The parish is grounded in prayer and worship in the Catholic tradition, with active faith formation for all ages, Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays from September through April, and a full calendar of lay ministries (music, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, greeters, ushers, RCIA, and more). Members take pride in their stewardship and ecumenical cooperation with neighboring congregations in Wilton and Durant, and in their hands-on tradition of keeping the parish alive and thriving — even through decades when there was no resident priest. Today they worship in a beautiful 2007 church that seats 350, supported by an engaged Pastoral Council, an EPIC social committee, and a welcoming community dedicated to evangelization and service.
Mass times at St Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Adoration times
- Thursdays 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, September through April (Eucharistic Adoration with the Blessed Sacrament exposed; volunteers sign up for one hour or more)
Parish History
St. Mary's traces its origins to 1857, when Father Peter Magne celebrated the first Mass in a home on the east end of 4th Street in Wilton. A small frame church was built on the present East 3rd Street property in 1858, and Father Philip Shannahan became the parish's first resident pastor in 1863. A brick church replaced the original in 1868, gaining a steeple in 1900–1901. The interior was remodeled in 1929–1930 and again in 1950; a new parish hall was added in 1961; major liturgical updates followed in 1966 with the altar reconfigured to face the congregation. The 1980s brought a new choir loft, sacristy, office, and classrooms (1981), and the razing of the original brick church in 1987 due to structural problems.
The 1990s and Survival of the Parish
When Fr. T.J. Reilman departed in 1991, Saint Mary's lost its resident priest. Redemptorist priests from St. Alphonsus in Davenport helped celebrate Sunday Masses, but the day-to-day operation fell to a group of dedicated lay parishioners who handled bulletins, finances, bills, diocesan reports, and meetings for seven years until Fr. Brian Shepley arrived as resident priest in 1998.
- Parish hall used for worship from 1987 until the 2007 church dedication
- Lay leadership kept parish alive from 1991 to 1998
Building the 2007 Church
In 2003, Father Shepley approached Bishop William Franklin about the need for a new church building. A Steering Committee was formed, with Christine Reinhart as liturgical consultant and Larrison and Associates of Davenport as architects. After planning, fundraising, and a corporate resolution to the Diocese of Davenport in July 2006, groundbreaking took place on September 8, 2006 (the memorial of the Birth of the Blessed Mother). The new church was dedicated on June 10, 2007 — the Solemnity of Corpus Christi — also marking the 150th anniversary of the first Mass in Wilton. The worship space seats 350.
- Groundbreaking: September 8, 2006
- Dedication: June 10, 2007 (Solemnity of Corpus Christi)
- Architect: Larrison and Associates, Davenport
- Capacity: 350
Hall Renovation and Recent Improvements
A major parish hall renovation began in January 2017, funded by parish contributions and an estate donation of over $200,000. The project added storage, upgraded electrical and lighting, drywall on side walls, a new ceiling, restrooms, a day chapel, three classrooms, and a fully remodeled kitchen. The stained glass window from the original church was refurbished and incorporated into the hall. New tables and chairs arrived in 2018. In 2020, a ramp to the Altar was built and a south parking lot was poured; in 2021, a north parking lot followed.
- Hall renovation completed 2017
- Stained glass from original church preserved
- Accessibility ramp to Altar (2020)
- Two new concrete parking lots (2020 and 2021)
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is served by a Sacramental Minister and a Parish Life Coordinator (deacon), supported by an Office Manager and a Director of Religious Education.
- Rev. Robert 'Bud' Grant — Sacramental Minister
- Deacon Dan Freeman — Parish Life Coordinator (cell 563-320-2462)
- Rosemary Sullivan — Office Manager
- Director of Religious Education
Priests Serving St. Mary 1857 to Present
The parish maintains a record of priests who have served St. Mary's since the first Mass in 1857. Early missionaries included Fathers Peter Magne and William Emonds; the first resident pastor was Father Philip Shannahan in 1863. The 20th- and 21st-century succession includes Fr. T.J. Reilman, a lay-led era (1991–1998), Fr. Brian Shepley (1998–2004), Rev. James Vrba (2006–2010), Rev. Robert Busher (2010–2016), Rev. David Steinle (2016–2021), and the current Sacramental Minister, Rev. Robert 'Bud' Grant (2021–present).
Mass and Liturgy
Sunday Mass is celebrated at 8:30 a.m. in English. Holy Day and special Masses are added to the calendar (e.g., Ash Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.; the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15 at 7:00 p.m.; Holy Thursday at 6:00 p.m.; Good Friday at 6:00 p.m.; Easter Vigil at 8:30 p.m.). The parish maintains a detailed annual schedule with ministry assignments and feast day observances.
- Sunday Mass: 8:30 am
- Religious Education: Sundays 9:30 am during the school year
- Lay Ministry Schedules posted for each Mass (Announcers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Gift Bearers, Ushers, Altar Servers)
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious Education classes meet on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. during the school year, with grade-level programming and sacramental preparation (Reconciliation in Grade 2; First Communion in Grade 4). Vacation Bible School is offered each summer (e.g., June 8–12, 2025, 8:30–11:30 a.m.). A Faith Formation Committee meets monthly.
- Sunday RE classes 9:30 am during school year
- Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation and First Eucharist
- Vacation Bible School (one week each June)
- Monthly Faith Formation Committee meetings
RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) prepares adult candidates for the Catholic sacraments of initiation. The parish lists RCIA among its ministries on the website.
Parish Ministries
St. Mary's offers a wide range of lay ministry opportunities for parishioners of all ages. From serving at the altar to welcoming at the door, every member is invited to take an active role in the parish's liturgical and community life.
- Music Ministry
- Altar Servers (grade 3 and up, including adults)
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Baptism Preparation
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- EPIC Committee (social activities)
- Offertory Counters
- Liturgy Committee
- Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)
- Greeters
- Lectors
- RCIA
- Ushers
- Sacristans
Sacraments
The parish prepares families and adults for the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation, and supports the homebound and sick through Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. A reconciliation room was constructed in the church during the 1970s for the celebration of Penance.
- Baptism Preparation for parents
- First Communion (typically in spring)
- Reconciliation / Penance
- RCIA for adults
- Communion brought to the sick and homebound
Facilities
The parish campus includes the 2007 church (seating 350), the renovated parish hall (originally built 1958, fully renovated 2017 with a day chapel, three classrooms, and a commercial-grade kitchen), and two concrete parking lots. The brick rectory, built in 1953 after the original was destroyed by fire, sits on East 3rd Street. A refurbished stained glass window from the original 1868 brick church has been preserved in the hall.
- Church (2007) – seats 350
- Parish hall (1958, renovated 2017)
- Rectory (rebuilt 1953)
- Two concrete parking lots
Calendar and Special Observances
The parish maintains a detailed annual schedule including Ash Wednesday, Blessing of Throats (early February), First Communion, Parish and Finance Council elections, Liturgy Committee meetings, Recognition of Veterans (November), Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15), Thanksgiving week with no RE classes, Advent and Christmas, and Lent/Easter Triduum.
Contact and Visiting
St. Mary's is located at 701 East 3rd Street, Wilton, IA 52778. The rectory phone is 563-732-2271 and the parish email is [email protected]. Deacon Dan's cell is 563-320-2462. The parish welcomes visitors and those interested in joining — online registration is available via the 'Join St. Mary Parish' page.
- Address: 701 East 3rd Street, Wilton, IA 52778
- Rectory: 563-732-2271
- Email: [email protected]
- Deacon Dan cell: 563-320-2462
Joining the Parish
The parish encourages new members to register online through the 'Join St. Mary Parish' page. St. Mary's serves approximately 180 registered households. The current church was built in 2007 and is described on the website as 'a true home' for the parish community.
- Online registration available
- Approximately 180 registered households
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Peter Magne1857 – ~1863
Celebrated the first Mass in Wilton in 1857 in a home; built the first frame church in 1858.
- Father William Emonds1858 – 1863
Traveled with Fr. Magne to celebrate Mass in the new frame church.
- Father Philip Shannahan1863
First resident pastor of the parish.
- Father Patrick McGinnis
Served the parish after Fr. Shannahan.
- Father Philip Laurent
Came from Saint Mathias in Muscatine to serve.
- Father John J. McCabe
Served the parish in the years following Shannahan.
- Father Quigley
During his pastorate in 1867, plans were made for a new brick church.
- Father P. A. McCabeuntil 1872
Completed the new brick church in 1868.
- Fr. T.J. Reilmandeparted 1991
His departure left Saint Mary's without a resident priest; Redemptorists from St. Alphonsus (Davenport) assisted.
- Fr. Brian Shepley1998 – 2004
Arrived as resident priest; in 2003 he began the campaign for a new church building with Bishop William Franklin.
- Rev. James Vrba2006 – 2010
- Rev. Robert Busher2010 – 2016
A personal friend of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who visited the parish in 2014.
- Rev. David Steinle2016 – 2021
- Rev. Robert 'Bud' Grant2021 – present
Current Sacramental Minister.