About St. Matthew · Cedar Rapids, Iowa
St. Matthew Catholic Community in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a parish founded in 1922 that has grown from a handful of families into a vibrant faith community centered on sacraments, prayer, and service. The parish features a historic brick church-school-rectory built in 1926 and continues to be staffed by the Sisters of Mercy. It serves a diverse congregation, including a Vietnamese Catholic community, and is actively involved in pastoral planning initiatives like 'Journey in Faith' to renew its mission. The parish offers multiple Masses, Adoration, and a wide range of ministries and faith formation programs.
- Established
- 1922
- Patron
- Saint Matthew
- Rector
- Father Hoang
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Dubuque
Why belong here
Join a community that is fully alive in Christ, offering sacraments, prayer, and action to joyfully transform lives. Participate in ministries, faith formation, and outreach programs that build a strong, welcoming parish family. The parish welcomes all, including the Vietnamese Catholic community, and is actively involved in pastoral planning to renew its mission.
Mass times at St. Matthew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before each daily/weekend Mass
Adoration times
- Wednesdays, 8:30 AM - 1 PM
About
Saint Matthew Catholic Community in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a parish founded in 1922 that has grown from a handful of families into a vibrant faith community centered on sacraments, prayer, and service. The parish features a historic brick church-school-rectory built in 1926 and continues to be staffed by the Sisters of Mercy. It serves a diverse congregation, including a Vietnamese Catholic community, and is actively involved in pastoral planning initiatives like 'Journey in Faith' to renew its mission. The parish offers multiple Masses, Adoration, and a wide range of ministries and faith formation programs.
History
Saint Matthew Parish began in August 1922 when Archbishop James J. Keane assigned Father Daniel P. Mulcahy from Vinton to Cedar Rapids. He had no church at the time and only a few parishioners. In 1926, a combined brick church-school-rectory was completed and dedicated. The Sisters of Mercy staffed the school from the beginning and continue to be part of the faculty. During Father Behan’s pastorate (1926–1936), the parish grew from a dozen families to 240, and the school grew from 40 students to 200 by 1939.
Ministries
The parish offers a wide range of ministries including Pastoral Care, Faith Formation, Sacraments, and the 'Journey in Faith' initiative. It also serves the Vietnamese Catholic community with Masses in Vietnamese and maintains a strong connection with St. Matthew Catholic School, staffed by the Sisters of Mercy.
- Pastoral Care
- Faith Formation
- Sacraments
- Journey in Faith
- Vietnamese Catholic Community
- St. Matthew Catholic School