The Catholic Church did not have a church building in Mount Ayr until the parish purchased the old Christian Church on September 23, 1914. After extensive repairs, St. Joseph Catholic Church was dedicated on December 9, 1914.

Mount Ayr Record News
Ringgold County Progress Edition
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa, 1987

St. Joseph Parish has completed work on the mobile unit recently purchased from the Mount Ayr Community School.

The unit, which has been installed west of the church, is connected to it by an enclosed passageway. The passageway is also accessible directly from the street.

The facility houses a small bedroom-study, kitchen, bath, and a large multi-purpose room. it is currently being used for CCD classes for all children and for the special confirmation class.

Plans are that it will also be used for various parish functions.

St. Joseph Church was purchased from the Christian Congregation in 1913, who had built it in 1883.

St. Joseph Church was purchased from the Christian Congregation in 1913, who had built it in 1883.

The 97-year-old structure is the only Catholic Church ever to be in Mount Ayr. After being a part of the Maloy parish since 1874, St. Joseph's was designated at mission of that place in 1913. It continued as such until the Leon Regional Catholic Community was organized in 1971.

St. Joseph Parish comprises approximately 45 families, all of whom have cooperated wholeheartedly in the project. Led by the Parish Council, they have provided much of the labor and material in addition to the initial outlay for the unit.

Submitted by Mike Avitt, May of 2012

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, August 02, 1990

Rev. Father Thomas J. COENEN has assumed his position as Roman Catholic Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Maloy and St. Joseph's Parish in Mount Ayr.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2015

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, February 21, 1991

Approval has been given to Mount Ayr St. Joseph's Catholic Church's plans for a new church building. This and determining the final specifications were the last hurdles to go over before ground could be broken in April.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2016

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, October 08, 1998

Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Mount Ayr is beginning a fund drive to add stained glass windows to the church, which was built in 1992. The church is planning to install six windows in the worship area with two other windows in the parish hall and office area to be purchased as funds become available.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2012

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, June 20, 2013

Des Moines Bishop Richard Pates has made the following priest assignment.

Effective July 30, Father David POLICH, who is pastor of St. Patrick Church in Perry, will become pastor of St. Bernard Parish in Osceola, St. Patrick Parish in Grand River and St. Joseph Parish in Mt. Ayr.

The Diocese of Des Moines includes 81 parishes in 23 counties in central and southwest Iowa.

SOURCE: TERRY, Jack R. A Centennial History of Mount Ayr, Iowa: 1875 - 1975 p. 109. Mount Ayr Record-News Mount Ayr. 1975

Compilation by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2009; updated June of 2013; updated September of 2015