Celebrating 50 Years on Chapel Lane: Immaculate Conception prepares for dedication anniversary

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

From the wreckage of the deadly 1968 Charles City tornado came new homes, new business buildings – and new churches.

The 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Chapel Lane will be celebrated with events all next week, including a special parish dinner and vigil Mass on Wednesday evening, Dec. 7, the 50th anniversary of the building’s dedication in 1972.

The roast beef dinner will be held 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the social hall, and will be followed at 6:45 p.m. by the Mass celebrating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is observed Dec. 8 in the Catholic Church.

Father Bernie Grady, who ministered in the parish in 1972, will be concelebrating the Mass with current pastor Father Tom Heathershaw.

“The 50 days leading up the celebration have included weekly historical background, a display of memorabilia, sharing of memories, including the years that services were held in the school gym,” said Sister Diana Blong, the IC pastoral associate.

“At one point, a complex that would house the Baptist, Methodist and Catholic churches under one roof was considered,” she said.

Central United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church joined to create the current Trinity United Methodist Church, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in October, but the Baptist and Catholic churches decided to build their own facilities.

Bill Krall recalls in the church bulletin that at first church services were moved to the IC School gym and some people wanted to continue using that space as the church, but that proved unworkable. After the existing church was condemned because of tornado damage the parish realized it would have to construct a new church.

“Many decisions had to be made: where to build, what type of structure, how large a church, the availability of parking, and finding a means for financing the project,” Krall recalled. “The biggest difficulty was to try to find a location that would be most satisfying to everyone. Everyone in the parish had their own choice location for building a new church. It came down to nine choices.”

He said the prices for the land at all the locations proved too expensive except for the current location, which the city favored as it was included in the post-tornado urban renewal plan and offered to the parish at a reduced price.

“On December 7, 1972, the vigil of our patronal feast, Archbishop James J. Byrne, archbishop of Dubuque, dedicated our new church,” Krall wrote.

“It was a glorious evening. The church was filled to overflowing. Fr. John Gallagher, a former pastor, preached the homily and music was provided by the choir of Columbus High School of Waterloo.”

Other events next week at Immaculate Conception include:

• Thursday, Dec. 8 – Mass at 9:15 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.; IC School concerts at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 9 – Mass at 8 a.m. followed by 20-minute video from “The Chosen” series on the Nativity, along with refreshments.
• Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10-11 – “Holiday Dedication Delights” in the social hall after each Mass; purchase holiday cookies, candies and snacks with proceeds going to the IC playground project.
• Saturday, Dec. 10 – “Mananitas” prayer, rosary and music from 10 p.m. to midnight.
• Sunday, Dec. 11 – Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration with 2 p.m. Mass and procession followed by “a fiesta of food and fun for the family.”