St. Mary (Dubuque, Iowa)

St. Mary (Dubuque, Iowa)

"Saint Mary Parish came into being in response to the petition of German families to Bishop Loras in 1819 for permission to establish a parish to provide for the German speaking Catholics of Dubuque. The first church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was built of stone in 1851 on the corner of 8th and White Streets in Dubuque. Because of rapid growth, plans for a new building were made in 1863, and the structure became a reality in 1867 at the corner of 15th and White Streets. It was named Saint Mary’s under the title of her Assumption. In late afternoon of January 9, 1976, the interior of the church was extensively damaged by fire and smoke. Msgr. Anthony Sigwarth, the pastor, directed the restoration of Saint Mary’s to its former glory."

- Rev. Msgr. Edgar Kurt, Parish Profile #14, The Witness, March 8, 1987.

The Archdiocese of Dubuque.
The Center for Dubuque History at Loras College.

Loras College
Kucera Center for Catholic Thought
Frank and Ida Goedken Series: "Spiritual Life in the Upper Mississippi River Valley"

Burback, Emily. Burns, Daniel. Gibson, Michael. Oberfoell, Carol. Waldmeir, Helen. Waldmeir, John.

Primarily English, some German.

Various primary and secondary sources.

1867-
History of the parish over the span of 151 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.

CHURCH DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE (19 pages)
ENCYCLOPEDIA DUBUQUE ENTRIES (3 documents)
LISTS OF PARISH PASTORS, INDIVIDUALS (10 documents)
OLD HOLY TRINITY CHURCH (7 documents)
PARISH BULLETINS, PROMOTIONAL ITEMS (11 documents)
PARISH ENTERTAINMENT (9 documents)
PARISH FINANCES, INCLUDING PEW RENTALS (5 documents)
VOCATIONS FROM PARISH: CLERGY AND FEMALE RELIGIOUS ORDERS (5 pages)

“Centennial Brochure: St. Mary’s Church; 1584 White Street, Dubuque, Iowa; Sunday, October 29th 1967.”

Friedl. “Centennial, St. Mary’s Parish.” 29 October, 1967.

Hoffman, Peter. “St. Mary’s Church, Dubuque.” Unknown date.

Kurt, Edgar. “Parish Profile #14: Saint Mary Parish, Dubuque.” The Witness, 8 March 1987.

Schroeder, Karl G. “History of St. Mary’s Church.” 20 November, 1935.

Sigwarth, Anthony. “Continuation of St. Mary’s History 1967.” 1967.

Stricker, Gabriella. Segment from Sr. Bonaventure Schoeberle’s “Out Missions.” 1869-1879.

Unknown author(s). “Gefcheidt’ste Schwabenstreich (History of the Swabian Kingdom).” Dramatic pageant program. Printed by Gelbstverlag des Unbersannten (german).

Unknown author. “Information for ‘The Official Catholic Directory.’” Survey form. 27 November, 1917.

Unknown author. “Marian Year Report.” 1954.

Unknown author. “St. Mary’s Church. Dubuque, Iowa. Diamond Jubilee.” Unknown date.

Unknown author. “St. Mary’s Dubuque.” Unknown date.