5 Remarkable Catholic sites to discover in Iowa

While Iowa's rolling prairies might not immediately make you think of Catholic pilgrimage, the Hawkeye State has a strong Catholic history that began in 1673 with a visit from French Jesuit missionary Reverend Jacques Marquette. 

The first Catholic missionaries in Iowa arrived in the 1830s, and the local church grew with the arrival of Irish and German immigrants. Pope Gregory XVI established the Diocese of Dubuque, which included all of Iowa and much of the western United States, in 1837. 

From historic German-built churches to modern spiritual centers, Iowa holds many testimonies to Catholic faith and heritage in America's heartland.

Here are Catholic sites worth visiting next time you find yourself in Iowa.

Note: Always check current visiting hours and Mass schedules before planning your trip, as times may vary seasonally.

This stunning Gothic Revival basilica rises unexpectedly from Iowa's countryside. It's one of only 53 basilicas in the United States and the only one set in the midst of cornfields.

Its twin 212-foot spires can be seen for miles across the farmland. The interior features hand-carved altars, 64 stained glass windows, and hand-painted stations of the cross imported from Germany.

The “Mother Parish of the Great Northwest” is the oldest congregation of any Christian denomination in the state.

As the mother church of Iowa's oldest diocese, this magnificent cathedral stands as a testament to the faith of German and Irish immigrants who settled the area. Built in 1857, its limestone walls and soaring tower are iconic landmarks of Dubuque's skyline. 

The cathedral's stunning stained-glass windows tell Biblical stories through vibrant colors and intricate details. The acoustic properties make it an exceptional venue for sacred music.

Just outside Dubuque, the Trappist monks of New Melleray Abbey support themselves by making and selling simple wooden caskets and burial urns — and give them away to parents who have suffered the loss of a child. 

Guests are welcome to visit the monastery and share in the monks’ daily liturgy. There is also a gift shop, guest house, and monastic center offering hospitality to all who come to New Melleray.

While you’re in the area, drive 20 minutes down the road to Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey, a contemplative community of Trappistine nuns. Visitors are welcome to attend liturgies or tour the grounds. But what we recommend most is a stop by the gift shop, where the sisters sell their Monastery Candy. It’s the best candy you’ll ever eat, and that’s a promise.

Known as the “Grotto of the Redemption,” this extraordinary folk art masterpiece is considered the largest man-made grotto in the world. Built by Father Paul Dobberstein over decades, it contains nine separate grottos depicting scenes from the life of Christ.

The grottos are constructed from an amazing collection of precious stones, crystals, and petrified materials from around the world, valued at over $4.3 million. Locals call it “the eighth wonder of the world” and over 100,000 people visit each year.

This unique prayer garden and shrine complex features a 33-foot stainless steel statue of Mary, Queen of Peace, and a matching statue of Jesus the King. The 16-acre grounds include multiple gardens, shrines, and a life-size sculpture of the Last Supper.

The St. Joseph Center contains religious art, artifacts, and a gift shop. The peaceful grounds offer visitors a place for prayer and spiritual renewal.

St. Donatus Church is a remarkable example of early German Catholic architecture that sits atop a limestone bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Built in 1860, it was designed to replicate the Luxembourgian churches familiar to its immigrant founders.

Beside the church is the Stations of the Cross hillside climb, the first outdoor Way of the Cross in the U.S. The hillside and old cemetery offer stunning river views and a glimpse into Iowa's Catholic immigrant history. 

The village of St. Donatus itself, named after the patron saint of protection from lightning strikes, is a rare example of Luxembourg village architecture in America.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ The entire village is on the National Register of Historic Places.