News : St. Mary's Catholic Church part of Catholic Church's reorganization

Benton County map of the Catholic Church consolidations

The Archdiocese of Dubuque announced its plan to reorganize 160 parishes across Iowa into 24 pastorates beginning July 14, 2026. This yearlong “Journey in Faith” is aimed at strengthening evangelization, leadership formation and pastoral planning.

Vinton's St. Mary's Catholic Church is on the list of congregations that will be dispersed to join other congregations. The church boasts 639 parishioners, and 263 families. 

Archbishop Thomas Zinkula said that the archdiocese, spanning 30 counties in northeast Iowa, serves more than 180,000 Catholics. After gathering input from parishioners and reviewing demographics, sacramental and financial data from each parish a new pastorate structure and priest assignments were decided.

The new pastorates will group parishes together sharing pastoral leadership, ministries and resources. Zinkula explained that each pastorate will have a pastor and one or more parochial vicars, and weekend Mass locations have been determined. He noted that “every parish church is a place where Christ is made present in the Eucharist.” Concerning Sunday Mass locations he urged unity during the transition.

“There are voices and concerns that risk dividing us, particularly around Sunday Mass in some communities,” he said. “Even so, I am confident that, as we remain united in the Holy Spirit and grounded in the Eucharist, wherever we gather for worship, the Lord will bring this process to a good and grace-filled outcome.”

He said that the pastorates will be guided through a local discernment process on how parishes can work together “as a unified and strengthened community.” 

What this means for area churches. Local congregations in Vinton and Walker and Coggin will have to find another location to worship and Urbana might be the nearest location to attend mass.

Van Horne and Norway congregations will continue to meet in those churches while Newhall, Blairstown, Belle Plaine and Watkins will have to find a new location to worship. 

Churches can appeal this decision but will have to go the legal route to do so. There are petitions being curculated in support of keeping the church functioning as if. If you feel called to support the effort, there is a petition at LaGrange Pharmacy.

More information on the pastorates can be found here as well as a timeline for the planned implementation.