St. Mary Parish in Rock Valley celebrates 125 year anniversary

By JAMIE MCCLURE, Globe Intern
August 23, 2007

ROCK VALLEY - Parishioners, including some from the Trinity Cluster, filled the pews at St. Mary Parish Aug. 19 to celebrate the church's 125th anniversary.

As parishioners entered the church, greeters handed them roses which were placed in front of the Statue of Mary. Meanwhile, a rosary was prayed for continued support from the Blessed Mother.

During the homily, Father Doug Klein, pastor for St. Mary, explained that everyone was to give thanks for the gift of St. Mary Parish and to all who have worshipped in the Rock Valley community of faith over the years.

"No matter how diverse the origins, hopes and dreams of the many who traveled to the northwestern part of Iowa, the common denominator was their faith," said Father Klein. "They had received the faith and passed it on to their children and future generations of believers who would be drawn to this valley by the Rock River."

One of the many future generations of believers is Judy Graves, who has been a parishioner for 64 years. "I feel gratitude that the church is celebrating 125 years," said Graves. "I was baptized, confirmed, first communicated and married in this church. It is the most beautiful church and we parishioners try to maintain it and keep it clean because we don't want to wear out Father Klein."

Along with St. Mary Parish, Father Klein is the pastor for Sacred Heart Parish in Alvord and Christ the King in Sioux Center, which together forms the Trinity Cluster. The oldest of the cluster, St. Mary Parish was founded in 1882.

At that time, Rock Valley had a Catholic population of 13 families. Today, that number has grown to 105 English-speaking families and 60 Spanish-speaking families.

"The Rock Valley community has a lot in store for the future because we have a whole new population coming in and our church is bursting at the seams with membership," said Marla McGill, a 15-year parishioner. "I think it's awesome that we have many people joining, including the Spanish population."

The first St. Mary Church was built for $400 on land that was given to families by the founding fathers of Rock Valley. Many priests have served at the parish and Father Klein adds to its history.

"I have been here for a little over four years now, and I think 125 years marks another milestone," said the priest. "We need to challenge our faith and pass that faith on in order to keep St. Mary Parish open."

"I'm really excited that the church is celebrating so many years because some of my ancestors were the first people here, and they dug the basement with horses," said Al Miller, a 35-year parishioner. "If you look back to what the church used to be and what it is now, it has evolved into something beautiful."

According to Father Klein, the parish celebrates the church's existence every 25 years to remind them not to take their faith or their parish for granted. He also said Catholics should embrace the fact that they are free to worship their faith in this country.

After Mass, the parishioners continued their celebration with a roasted chicken dinner in the church basement.