About St. Wenceslaus · Iowa City, Iowa
St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church is a historic Bohemian-heritage parish in Iowa City, Iowa, founded in 1893 by Czech immigrants who settled around the church in what is still a tight-knit neighborhood of bricklayers, masons, and tradesmen. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Davenport and is known for its cruciform architecture — the only church in Iowa City built on this early-church plan — along with its 1908-era Felgemacher pipe organ and stained glass donated by original parishioners. Today it remains an active, family-oriented parish offering daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, a Knights of Columbus council, the Catholic Daughters, and a robust outreach including a Free Lunch program serving roughly 120 people and the Gifts of Hope ministry for new families.
- Established
- 1893
- Patron
- St. Wenceslaus (Duke of Bohemia, patron of the Czech people; the parish also honors St. Ludmilla)
- Rector
- Rev. John Lamansky
- Diocese
- Diocese of Davenport
Why belong here
St. Wenceslaus welcomes anyone who wants a parish family rooted in both Catholic tradition and Czech heritage. The parish is known for its warm, multigenerational community — a Bohemian-founded neighborhood church where active outreach (a Free Lunch program serving about 120 people, Gifts of Hope for new parents, and a Culture of Life team) is matched by deep liturgical life, including weekday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and a strong youth faith-formation program through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Mass times at St. Wenceslaus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. (followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:00 p.m.)
- Saturday 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- 1st Thursday of the month 3:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Adoration times
- Wednesday 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
Welcome & Parish Identity
St. Wenceslaus positions itself as an active, growing parish family rooted in Bohemian Catholic heritage, with active outreach and liturgical ministries open to all. The pastor, Rev. John Lamansky, invites parishioners and visitors to share concerns or suggestions by phone at 319-337-4957 or by email at [email protected]. A Welcome Committee can arrange a personal visit, and a recent Parish Pictorial Directory is available at the church office to help newcomers get acquainted.
- Active outreach ministry
- Liturgical ministries open to all
- Supports Regina Catholic Education Center
- Strong support for Catholic Homeschooling
- Weekly bulletin (printed and online) lists current announcements and Parish Officers
- Welcome Committee and Parish Pictorial Directory for newcomers
History of St. Wenceslaus
St. Wenceslaus was founded by Bohemian immigrants in 1893 in a neighborhood they themselves built as bricklayers, masons, and carpenters. A succession of 12 pastors — from Rev. Joseph Sinkmajer through the current pastor — shaped the parish, including the 1921 cruciform addition, the pipe organ, Regina High School, S.H.A.R.E., and the west entrance. The narrative below follows the parish's own published history.
Bohemian Origins and Early Years
German, Irish, and Czech immigrants arrived in Iowa in the mid-1800s, fleeing Austrian political and religious oppression. Czech Catholics in Iowa City first attended St. Francis Xavier Church (which burned) and then St. Mary's (where German homilies created a language barrier). In 1891, Rev. Joseph Sinkmajer was sent as a Bohemian priest, becoming St. Wenceslaus' first pastor. By 1893, more than 2,000 Bohemians lived in Iowa City, settling the area around the new church.
- Land purchased in 1892 for $825
- Excavation began April 15, 1893; contractor Frank Novak
- Original 40' x 80' building cost about $7,000
- First Midnight Mass Christmas Eve 1893
- Rectory purchased in 1897 for $3,300
The 1921 Addition and Cruciform Shape
Under Rev. Panoch (1919–1934), the 1921 addition and remodeling gave the church its cruciform shape — the only church in Iowa City built on this early-church pattern. Father Panoch himself laid much of the brick and helped pour the concrete foundation, with most labor contributed by parishioners. The stained glass from this period shows a different style than the 1892 originals; two windows depict St. Ludmilla and St. Wenceslaus.
- Cruciform shape — only church in Iowa City with this layout
- Parishioner-donated stained glass (1892 originals + 1921 addition)
- Father Panoch personally laid brick and poured concrete
Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Rev. John Lamansky (Pastor) with Fr. Terry serving as Assistant Priest and Deacon Christopher Kabat supporting sacramental life. A full lay staff supports parish life, including Rachel Luppens (Community Engagement), Sophia Joseph (Events and Communications), Kristina Staab (Operations), Gavin Bailey (Executive Assistant), Ian Udell (Liturgy Coordinator), and Emily Gayle (Administrative Assistant).
- Pastor: Rev. John Lamansky ([email protected])
- Assistant Priest: Fr. Terry ([email protected])
- Deacon Christopher Kabat
- Director of Community Engagement: Rachel Luppens ([email protected])
- Director of Events and Communications: Sophia Joseph ([email protected])
- Director of Operations: Kristina Staab ([email protected])
- Executive Assistant: Gavin Bailey ([email protected])
- Liturgy Coordinator: Ian Udell ([email protected])
- Administrative Assistant: Emily Gayle ([email protected])
Faith Formation
The parish runs the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) for children ages 3–12 in three Atria located in the attic and lower level of the Youth Ministry house. CGS is rooted in the Montessori method and the Liturgy/Bible. Adults preparing for Catholic initiation gather weekly for Introduction to Catholicism (RCIA-adjacent) in the Parish Hall, and the parish supports both the Regina Catholic Education Center and Catholic homeschooling.
- CGS Level 1 (ages 3–5): Wednesday 4:15–5:45 p.m.; Thursday 9:00–10:30 a.m.
- CGS Level 2 (ages 6–8): Wednesday 6:00–7:30 p.m.; Thursday 9:00–10:30 a.m.
- CGS Level 3 (ages 9–12): Wednesday 6:00–7:30 p.m.; Thursday 9:00–10:30 a.m.
- Each session capped at 8 children per Level
- CGS Program Coordinator: Kelsey
- CGS Assistant Coordinator: Michelle Cain
- Introduction to Catholicism for Adults (RCIA): Sundays 6:00–7:30 p.m. in Parish Hall
Sacraments
Information about celebrating the sacraments at St. Wenceslaus is available through the parish office. Parents expecting a baptism are asked to contact Sophia at [email protected] at least six months before the desired baptism date and to attend a Baptism Preparation Retreat for Parents. First Communion preparation and Confirmation (which includes seven main classes, a retreat, and active youth ministry participation) are ongoing programs.
- Baptism: contact Sophia 6 months in advance; parent retreat required
- First Communion preparation
- Confirmation (7 classes + retreat + youth ministry participation)
- Reconciliation (scheduled times; see above)
- Marriage and Anointing of the Sick through the parish office
Ministries, Groups & Outreach
St. Wenceslaus is well known for its lay-led groups. The Knights of Columbus Council #14385 (founded 2007 under Fr. Michael Phillips) leads the rosary before every weekend Mass, hosts the annual Culture of Life Dinner, and runs a monthly pro-life can drive. The Catholic Daughters of the Americas and the Altar and Rosary Society partner in a monthly sewing/weaving workshop that produces diapers, dresses, sanitary pads, and plastic-bag sleeping mats (in 2025 alone, 788 diapers, 1,323 baby washcloths, 117 dresses, and more). The parish also runs a Free Lunch program serving about 120 people, the Gifts of Hope ministry for new families (which had helped 52 families as of late 2025), the Cor Men's Group, the Seven Sisters Apostolate (hourly prayer for the pastor), S.H.A.R.E., the Welcome Committee, and Coffee & Donuts hospitality after Sunday Mass.
- Knights of Columbus Council #14385 (founded 2007)
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas (second Tuesdays)
- Altar and Rosary Society + Sewing Group (second Tuesdays, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.)
- Cor Men's Group
- Seven Sisters Apostolate (Anchoress: Judee Albert, 319-325-4026)
- Gifts of Hope (first-year-of-life necessities for families)
- Culture of Life team (Creighton Model FertilityCare grants, Cycle Show workshop)
- Free Lunch Program (~120 people served)
- S.H.A.R.E. (food at reduced cost in exchange for community service)
- Welcome Committee
- Coffee & Donuts after Sunday Mass
- Liturgical ministries open to all
Parish Life & Events
Beyond weekly Mass and adoration, the parish gathers for hospitality, retreats, and seasonal processions. Coffee & Donuts is served in the Parish Hall after Sunday Mass. The annual Parish Picnic is held at Happy Hollow Park (800 Brown St., Iowa City). The annual Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession travels from St. Wenceslaus to St. Mary's, and the parish prepares for Lent, Advent, and other solemnities with parish-wide programming.
- Coffee & Donuts after Sunday Mass in Parish Hall
- Annual Parish Picnic at Happy Hollow Park (800 Brown St.)
- Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession (to St. Mary's)
- Bible Study (weekly in Parish Hall)
- Communion Services at Walden Place Senior Living and Emerson Point
Contact, Office & Visiting
Parish office hours run Monday–Thursday with extended hours on Wednesday; the office is closed Saturday and Sunday. The parish office is at 630 E. Davenport St., Iowa City, IA 52245, while the church building itself is at 623 Fairchild St, Iowa City, IA 52245. All mail should be sent to the church address. The parish publishes a weekly bulletin listing announcements, parish officers, and Mass intentions.
- Parish Office: 630 E. Davenport St., Iowa City, IA 52245
- Church: 623 Fairchild St., Iowa City, IA 52245
- Phone: (319) 337-4957
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; Tue 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; Wed 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; Thu 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; Fri 8:30 a.m.–noon
- Church open hours: Sun 6:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.; Mon–Sat 6:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Wed until 7:30 p.m.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph Sinkmajer1891–
Bohemian priest, first pastor; oversaw founding and construction of the church (land purchased 1892; first Mass Christmas Eve 1893).
- Rev. Aloys Cihal1904–
Installed the parish's pipe organ; numbered pew rentals introduced.
- Rev. Koerner1912–
Maintained High Mass / Low Mass tradition; all-girls choir at the time.
- Rev. Panoch1919–1934
Completed 1921 addition/remodeling that gave the church its cruciform shape; he himself laid brick and poured concrete.
- Father Neuzil1934–1970
Longest-serving pastor; helped found Regina High School; transitioned Masses from Latin to English.
- Msgr. Madsen1970–1981
Year-long renovation after Vatican II; communion rail removed, tabernacle relocated.
- Rev. Joseph Denning1981–1987
Encouraged youth participation; active on Regina Board of Education.
- Rev. Harry Linenbrink1987–1998
Procured the Felgemacher organ replacing the 1908 original; renovated altar area; founded S.H.A.R.E.
- Rev. Paul Deyo1998–2000
Started the parish picnic; blessing of the animals; Jubilee 2000 logo contest.
- Fr. Michael Phillips2000–2013
Built the west entrance; beloved preacher.
- Fr. Gary Beckman2013–
Refreshed sanctuary with tile, paint, sanctuary lamp, holy art, and gold leafing; previously pastor of St. John (Houghton) and St. James (St. Paul).