St. Joseph’s Catholic Church — Elkader, Iowa
Some churches seem to belong in big cities — but then you stumble on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Elkader, and realize that small‑town Iowa has its own grand stories to tell. With roots stretching to the mid‑1800s, twin stone church buildings on one site, and soaring Gothic architecture, this parish is a standout stop on any northeast Iowa road trip.
📍 Address
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
330 1st Street SW
Elkader, IA 52043
A Church Built by Early Settlers
Long before Elkader was a bustling little city on the Turkey River, Catholic missionaries were traveling the frontier to serve settlers. The first Mass in Elkader was celebrated in a log cabin in the mid‑1840s — on the site where the post office now stands.
The parish’s first resident pastor, Rev. Peter McGinnis, arrived in 1856, purchased land, and began construction of a stone church out of limestone quarried from the hill behind the site. That original building took years to complete — parishioners worshiped standing or kneeling until pews could be installed — and was used for decades before it outgrew its congregation.
Today, that “Old Rock Church” survives just feet from the current church and serves as the parish hall, reminding visitors of the parish’s deep roots.
A Gothic Masterpiece for a Growing Parish
By the late 1890s, the parish had outgrown the original rock church. With Elkader prospering, a new structure was planned — one that could reflect both faith and permanence.
- April 24, 1898: The cornerstone of the present church was laid.
- Thanksgiving Day, 1900: The new Gothic Revival church was dedicated.
Built of solid stone quarried from the hill directly behind the church and trimmed with limestone and dolomite, the building rises with grace and strength. Its steeple reaches 142 feet to the top of the cross — a landmark visible for miles.
Inside, the church features a traditional three‑nave layout separated by rows of ornamental columns and a vaulted ceiling, originally decorated with frescoes and circular saint portraits.
Treasures Within: Bells and Stained Glass
Some features of St. Joseph’s highlight the craftsmanship and devotion of the parish:
- In 1876, a set of three brass bells — cast in Cincinnati and weighing more than 5,400 pounds — was purchased and housed in a separate belfry before being moved to the new church tower.
- The church contains 33 stained‑glass windows crafted in 1897–1898 that have withstood Iowa’s weather for more than a century.
In the 2000s, the parish undertook an extensive restoration of these windows — a project made possible by community fundraising and a grant from the State Historical Society — bringing these historic features back to vibrant life.
Honoring the Past, Serving Today
Major renovations in the 1960s and again in the 1990s brought updates while respecting the church’s historic identity. Some original furnishings were removed or repurposed, and new features such as an ambo, baptismal font, and ambry were created to complement the Gothic interior.
The old stone church next door — now the parish hall — was beautifully restored with updated lighting and HVAC in 2019, serving as the center for parish dinners, meetings, and events.
For more than a century, St. Joseph’s has also been a center for Catholic education, with a parish school historically operated by both Franciscan and Presentation Sisters from Dubuque.
Planning Your Visit
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church makes a rewarding stop for travelers exploring northeast Iowa, especially those interested in architectural history, local heritage, and community stories.
Visitor Tips:
- The church is visible from downtown Elkader and is often open for self‑guided visits.
- Photograph the soaring steeple from First Street SW, especially in late afternoon light.
- Pair this stop with other attractions in Elkader, such as the Keystone Bridge and historic downtown sites.
Why It’s Worth the Stop
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church isn’t just a building — it’s a story etched in stone. From its frontier beginnings in log cabins to its grand Gothic Revival sanctuary, this Elkader parish reflects the faith, resilience, and craftsmanship of generations of parishioners. For road trippers seeking history and architecture with heart, St. Joseph’s is a destination that speaks across time
