St. Ludmila (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)

St. Ludmila (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)

'“As the Czech population of Cedar Rapids grew early in this century, many had to find homes farther from Saint Wenceslaus Church. It was the only Czech-speaking Catholic church in the city and it was on the east side of the Cedar River. Some of the parishioners living west of the Cedar began to ask for a church of their own, in their desire to have their parish church nearby. A house with almost four acres was purchased on the West Side in early 1914 and remodeled for school use. In October 1914 the school opened to 65 students taught by four Notre Dame Sisters from Fenton, Missouri.  At Saint Ludmila church the Sisters established their first American novitiate, which was later transferred to Omaha.”'

-Kurt, Rev. Msgr. Edgar, “Parish Profile #221,” The Witness, April 21, 1991.

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.

English.

Various primary and secondary sources.

ca. 1906-
History of the parish over the span of 113 years, including information about its priests and parishioners.

Kolach Festival (1 document)
History (4 documents)
Parish Brochure (2 documents)
Pastor cards (1 collection)
Pastor List (4 documents)
The Year of Our Lord (1 document)

“Czechoslovak Wit and Wisdom With Great Kolache Recipes from St. Ludmila Parish,” compiled by Pat Martin. Iowa City: Penfield Press, 1984.

Joens, George A., “Do Not Tear Down My People’s Church, Honor Czech Pioneers who build Ludmila’s.” Cedar Rapids: The Gazette, 1999.