Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish
Location: 3303 160th St, Little Turkey
Map Founded: 1903 Current church built: 1915 Parishioners: 92 families Heritage: Czech and German Patronal Feast Day: August 15 |
In 1902 the early founders of Assumption Parish purchased the vacant Methodist Church, which was built on the site of the present St. Mary’s Cemetery. Rev. Joseph Dostal celebrated the first Mass in the church on March 19, 1903. Rev. Godfrey Kramolis was appointed the first resident pastor in 1903.
The parish was incorporated as Assumption Church of Little Turkey on December 28, 1911. In 1915, under the direction of Rev. Vincent Opava (1914-1921), a new and larger church was built for its 55 families. On May 19, 1918, a tornado struck the area, causing extensive damage to the new church, but it was rebuilt by September.
Assumption Parish celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1928. The Rosary Society was founded in 1936. In 1951, under the direction of Rev. Valentine J. Hlubek (1946-1953), the present rectory was built. Rev. Hlubek was also the last priest to preach in both Czech and English. In 1953, the church celebrated its Golden Jubilee. The church was repainted and redecorated in 1957. By 1960 the parish consisted of about 60 families, two-thirds of Czech origin and one-third German.
The parish celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in 1978, and a bus trip to Des Moines to see Pope John Paul II was organized in 1979. In the 1980s Sister Laura Reicks, RSM, took her final vows in Little Turkey, the church was redecorated, and a pictorial directory with 70 families was published. In July 1989 the pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Lawler, Rev. J. David Pepper, was assigned to serve Little Turkey, making Rev. Mark McGovern (1987-1989) the last resident priest.
Assumption Parish grew to 100 families and celebrated its 100 year anniversary on June 29, 2003. A continued favorite tradition is the yearly parish picnic on August 15th, which regularly draws over 1,000 people from far and wide. In 2008, the parish joined five other area churches to form the Christ Our Hope Cluster.
Today, Assumption Parish is considered to be a small but vibrant and youthful community which continues to grow even in challenging times.
The parish was incorporated as Assumption Church of Little Turkey on December 28, 1911. In 1915, under the direction of Rev. Vincent Opava (1914-1921), a new and larger church was built for its 55 families. On May 19, 1918, a tornado struck the area, causing extensive damage to the new church, but it was rebuilt by September.
Assumption Parish celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1928. The Rosary Society was founded in 1936. In 1951, under the direction of Rev. Valentine J. Hlubek (1946-1953), the present rectory was built. Rev. Hlubek was also the last priest to preach in both Czech and English. In 1953, the church celebrated its Golden Jubilee. The church was repainted and redecorated in 1957. By 1960 the parish consisted of about 60 families, two-thirds of Czech origin and one-third German.
The parish celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in 1978, and a bus trip to Des Moines to see Pope John Paul II was organized in 1979. In the 1980s Sister Laura Reicks, RSM, took her final vows in Little Turkey, the church was redecorated, and a pictorial directory with 70 families was published. In July 1989 the pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Lawler, Rev. J. David Pepper, was assigned to serve Little Turkey, making Rev. Mark McGovern (1987-1989) the last resident priest.
Assumption Parish grew to 100 families and celebrated its 100 year anniversary on June 29, 2003. A continued favorite tradition is the yearly parish picnic on August 15th, which regularly draws over 1,000 people from far and wide. In 2008, the parish joined five other area churches to form the Christ Our Hope Cluster.
Today, Assumption Parish is considered to be a small but vibrant and youthful community which continues to grow even in challenging times.
Additional history on Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish
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Cemetery Records: Assumption BVM, St. Mary: Little Turkey |
Christ Our Hope Cluster Office: 110 Commercial Ave, PO Box 205, Protivin, IA 52163, 563-569-8259