St. Clement Catholic Church — Bankston, Iowa
Some of Iowa’s most historic church stories aren’t in big cities — they’re in small rural communities where faith and fellowship were the center of everyday life. St. Clement Catholic Church in Bankston is one such place: a parish with deep roots in immigrant settlement, rural life, and community resilience that’s worth a stop on any eastern Iowa road trip.
📍 Address
St. Clement Catholic Church
24287 New Vienna Road
Bankston, IA 52045
Full gallery of photos of St. Clement Church in Bankston, Iowa
A Church Born from Settlement on the Prairie
In the early 1850s, Bishop Matthias Loras — then Bishop of Dubuque — traveled the countryside on horseback, visiting settlers in what would become Bankston. These early settlers included immigrants from Ireland, Germany, and Luxembourg, many of whom traveled miles by horse or on foot to attend Mass at nearby mission churches.
It was Reverend Dr. John Alyward who organized St. Clement’s Parish in 1860, celebrating the very first Mass in a parishioner’s home while the community prepared to build its first church. The land for the church and cemetery was donated by Maurice Kirby, who lived just west of the present site.
Over the first hundred years of its existence, St. Clement’s was shepherded by a series of devoted pastors who helped the parish grow and meet the needs of its expanding community.
From White Frame to Brick and Stone
The original church was a white frame building erected in 1859, large enough to seat about 400 parishioners. As the parish grew, this building became a beloved center of worship and community life.
In 1898, work began on the present Gothic‑style brick and Bedford cut‑stone church — a project led by Father William Banfield and completed around 1900. Parishioners helped with the construction while women of the congregation raised funds through bazaars and suppers. The finished church featured pointed arches, murals, three gold‑and‑white altars, a pipe organ, and seating for hundreds, making it one of the most impressive rural churches in northern Iowa.
Community, School, and Parish Life
Around the turn of the 20th century, St. Clement’s became more than a church — it was the heart of parish life:
- A school was opened in 1908, staffed by Mercy Sisters from Detroit.
- A high school opened in 1914 and served students until 1959, when it consolidated with other local Catholic schools.
- Mercy and later Presentation Sisters taught generations of parish children.
The parish community even built a gymnasium and hall, fostering social gatherings, dinners, events, and community celebration — a tradition that continues today with the Father Paul Weis Pavilion.
Growth, Changes & Parish Partnerships
Over the decades, St. Clement’s continued to evolve:
- In 1993, the church interior was refreshed and a handicap‑accessible entrance added.
- With school closures and parish collaborations, Bankston now shares pastoral leadership with neighboring parishes as part of the St. Elizabeth Pastorate.
Despite changes over time, the parish’s identity has remained strong — rooted in faith, hard work, and Catholic traditions passed down through generations.
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Why It’s Worth the Stop
St. Clement Catholic Church in Bankston is more than just stone and steeple — it’s a story of faith, immigration, and community persistence on the Iowa prairie. From its earliest Masses in private homes to the brick and stone sanctuary that stands today, this parish reflects the heart of rural Catholic life in Iowa.
Whether you’re a historian, architecture lover, parish pilgrim, or road trip seeker, St. Clement’s offers a glimpse into the enduring legacy of faith and fellowship that helped shape this part of the state.
