Sioux City - Immaculate Conception

SIOUX CITY - When Bishop P. J. Garrigan was named the first bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City, he soon divided St. Joseph's Parish for the convenience of the parishioners who lived in the south and east sections of Sioux City. While the buildings were being constructed, Mass and parish business took place in a private home across the street from the new church-school. Father J. F. Kerby, an associate at the Cathedral, became the first pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish.

In 1905, a small frame church and school combination building was completed on the corner of Rustin Avenue and Davis Avenue by 20 families who comprised the parish. The building still stands and has been converted into an apartment house. While this church was being used, Father Kerby rented a nearby house for a rectory.

The school, with 72 students, was simultaneously opened in the basement of the church and Bishop Garrigan dedicated both. The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Dubuque were in charge of the school until 1912 when the Servants of Mary, whose mother house was at that time in Cherokee, came to staff the school. The Servants of Mary taught at Immaculate Conception School until 1995.

New families moved in rapidly in Morningside and by 1909, there were 100 families in the parish. Father Thomas Coghlin served as administrator of the parish until he was assigned to establish the new Blessed Sacrament parish on the north side of Sioux City. A convent was built during Father Coghlin's pastorate.

In 1918, Father James J. Murphy was appointed pastor. It was during his administration that the present site of Morningside and Ridge Avenues was acquired for a new facility. The parish had outgrown its original site and in 1922 the construction of the church-school building was completed at a cost of $58,646. Four sisters taught 140 students in the new school, which held grades 1-8.

Father Edward Smith was appointed to IC and added a third floor to the church-school. It was soon apparent that a new, larger church was necessary. Construction of the new Immaculate Conception Church began in 1952. It was completed and dedicated on Dec. 8, 1953, the feat of the Immaculate Conception. The colonial-style church, designed by the Catholic University School of Architecture, was recognized for its simple beauty. The cost of construction was $300,000.

Msgr. Frank Brady and Msgr. Thomas Donahue succeeded Msgr. Smith. A new parish center was built at a cost of $500,000. In 1967, 275 members in south Morningside were incorporated into the Nativity Parish. Since this time, the two Morningside parishes have cooperated in Catholic school education.

In 1993, Father Paul-Louis Arts became the sixth pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish. A 10-year plan for the physical plant of the parish was developed under Father Arts' leadership. In January of 2001, the new $4 million education center was dedicated, replacing the 1922 school building.

In cooperation with Nativity Parish, the grade school was reorganized in 1996 to Mater Dei School. Pre-school through fifth grade are at Immaculate Conception and the middle school is at Nativity Parish. The grade school has approximately 380 students.