History
Our two Catholic Churches are located in Northern Polk County. St. Mary Church is located in the town of Elkhart, Iowa, and Holy Cross Church is located East of Elkhart near Farrar, Iowa. Our members are a diverse group coming from many communities in the area - Adel, Alleman, Altoona, Ames, Ankeny, Baxter, Bondurant, Boone, Cambridge, Clive, Colfax, Collins, Des Moines, Elkhart, Huxley, Kelly, Lucas, Madrid, Maxwell, Mingo, Mitchellville, Nevada, Polk City, Prairie City, Sheldahl, Slater, and West Des Moines.
Priests serving as Pastor of St. Mary-Holy Cross Parish:
- 2023, February 7 Father Ross Parker, also works at te Diocese
• 2022, July 14 Father Michael Amadeo, Canonical Administrtor
- 2018 Father Andrew Windschitl to July 13, 2022
- 2008 Father Dan Krettek, also worked at Emmaus House
• 2007 Father Robert Harris
• 1998 Father Michael Amadeo, also worked at the Diocese
• 1997 Father Dan Kirby
• 1990 Father John Acrea, also worked at the Diocese
• 1987 Father Philip Kruse, also worked at the Diocese
• 1984 Monsignor Joseph Schulte
• 1982 Father Dennis Trausch
• 1980 Father Joseph Devlin
• 1973 Monsignor John J. Gorman
• 1972 Father John E. Cunningham
• 1969 Father Michael J. Flood
• 1967 Father Richard Bergman
• 1960 Monsignor John Mcllhon was Pastor while holding other positions in the Diocese
• 1959 Father Joseph P. Ryan, Pastor after teaching at Dowling High School
• 1955 Monsignor Raymond Conley, was Pastor while remaining editor of the Messenger
• 1924 Father G. C. Jermaine, who was Pastor until 1955 when he died.
• 1917 Father F. J. Larkin, who was Pastor until 1924 when he established St. Joseph Parish in Des Moines.
• 1915 Father James Manning
Priests who served the territory in NE Polk County:
• 1893 Father Thomas Sheehy, Pastor of Valeria
• 1882 Father James Quinn, who rebuilt the Valeria Church
• 1881 Father John J. McAleese, Newton
• 1880 Father Patrick Feely, Newton
• 1876 Father J. Fogarty of Sacred Heart, Newton
• 1860 Father F. Brazil, St. Ambrose, Des Moines