Rock Valley - St. Mary

ROCK VALLEY - St. Mary Parish, the oldest of the parishes of Trinity Cluster - including Sacred Heart in Alvord and Christ the King in Sioux Center - was founded in 1882, however it is recorded that the first Mass was celebrated in 1872 with the location unknown. Father John Smith of Emmetsburg offered Mass there for four Catholic families.

In 1879, Father Lynch from Sheldon visited Rock Valley and celebrated Mass in the public school. By the end of 1882, Rock Valley had a Catholic population of 13 families and Father John A. O'Reilly came from Sheldon to say Mass.

The first church, erected at a cost of about $400, was built on land that had been given to the families by the founding fathers of Rock Valley. Rock Valley remained a mission church to Sheldon until 1885 when Bishop Hennessy of Dubuque appointed the first resident priest, Father John Phelan. The church was enlarged in 1888. That same year four acres of ground were purchased for $160 to be used as a Catholic cemetery.

The cornerstone for the present St. Mary Church was laid on June 30, 1913. The church, which was completed in 1915, is a magnificent example of early 20th century church architecture. It features 10 large stained glass winders depicting scenes from the life of Christ and seven smaller ones that were ordered from Europe.

A school was established in 1891. Classes were discontinued prior to World War II and the building was razed in 1968. The rectory built in 1899, contains the offices for the Trinity Cluster of parishes. St. Mary currently serves approximately 110 families. Mass is celebrated at St. Mary in English at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.

Priests that have served our faithful were: Fathers John A. O'Reilly, John Phalen, David T. McGoey, Ed Hoffman, Msgr. Richard Zenk, Fathers Gerald Zeman, John Thomas, William Wingert, Patrick Nooney, Donald Smith, Dale George and now Father Gene Murray.

The Trinity Cluster of Catholic Churches of northwest Iowa came to fruition in 1995. Christ the King in Sioux Center, Sacred Heart in Alvord and St. Mary in Rock Valley are all active members of the cluster community. The cluster family is served by one priest, Father Gene Murray as well as a pastoral minister, Nancy Michels and cluster secretary, Leah Cauthron.

Each has its own parish council, committees, directors of religious education, and catechists. Cluster Masses are celebrated several times a year, usually on Holy Days of Obligation and holidays.

Originally established to serve the immigrant families from Europe the