Iowa Catholic Church purchased from Archdiocese of Dubuque

DOUGHERTY | A local non-profit organization has acquired the former St. Patrick's Catholic Church, which was closed by the Archdiocese of Dubuque in July 2012, and plans to preserve it.

The official transfer of the 142-year-old church, as well as the rectory and former parochial school, from the Archdiocese to the Society To Preserve Antiquated Town Structures (S.T.P.A.T.S.) took place in late February for the price of $1.

Dougherty resident Dennis Campbell, chairman of S.T.P.A.T.S., said plans for the buildings are still "a work in progress."

"This is all new to everyone here and to the Archdiocese," he said. "We have to keep reminding ourselves this is our property now."

The church building is no longer a Roman Catholic church because it no longer belongs to the Archdiocese.

Although prayer services and Christian weddings and funerals can take place there, Mass cannot be celebrated.

Even so, people still make the sign of the cross when walking or driving past the church, according to Campbell.

As for the inside, "we are going to try to keep it as original as possible," he said.

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