St. Patrick’s Church – rural Cummings, IA - Country Churches on Waymarking.com

This peaceful country church has a wealth of history, from the early Irish settlement of this region to the most recent visit from Pope John Paul II in 1979.

Irish farmers first flocked to central Iowa in the mid 19th Century and missionary Father Timothy Mullen recognized the need for a Catholic church in the area. The first log worship center occupied a small parcel of farmland until 1868 when the present wood frame church was built. The building underwent a renovation in 1968 before its centennial celebration. The original stain glass windows give an elegant touch to the worship center and the medallion window over the altar filters warm sunlight above the crucifix. A bust of Pope John Paul II is mounted inside the entry, one of four fashioned by an Irish sculptor.

St. Patrick’s Irish Settlement Church is a place of hospitality, where God welcomes the sinner, and the congregation welcomed the Holy Father to its humble place of worship. It was a memorable afternoon in 1979 when Pope John Paul II stepped from the helicopter with an entourage of secret service and media. Joy filled the church where more than 200 people attended the brief prayer service and received blessings and memories to last a lifetime. Amid the corn shocks and pumpkins, St. Patrick’s Church was a place of harvest, not only of crops but of souls as well.

Church Name: St. Patrick’s Irish Settlement Church Church In Use (even only just occassionally): yes Date Church Built: 1868 Rate this church.:

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2. Church sign (schedule sign with Church name on it &/or gate with Church name, etc).

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