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1800's
Saints Mary and Mathias Catholic Parish has a history dating back to 1800's. Fr. Samual Mazzuchelli, Italian Missionary, and Mathias Loras came to Iowa in the 1830's. Fr. Mazzuchelli celebrated the first Mass in Bloomington (Now known as Muscatine) on January 25th 1841.
By 1842 a stout little church was floated down the Mississippi River from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin to be Muscatine's first Catholic Church. The Church still stands today on the property of Saints Mary and Mathias.
"My friend, I send you to Muscatine for a month and afterwards, we'll see." Bishop Loras was speaking to a young man only recently ordained to the priesthood - The Reverand Philip Laurent. And the "month" lasted fifty-one years; from 1851 to 1902 Father Laurent was pastor of Saint Matthias.
In 1856 ground was purchased and construction of a new church began. In 1858 St. Matthias Catholic School is erected. By 1866 the enrollment is 300 students.
In 1876 construction begins on a new German Parish - St. Mary's and by 1880, St. Mary's School opens.
In 1887 St. Matthias School is destroyed by a fire and a new brick building is built to replace it.
1900's
The present St. Mathias Church was built in 1910-1911 on the site of the previous church which was demolished to make way for construction. The altar is from the previous church building and the stations of the Cross were brought to Muscatine by Fr. Laurent. The stained glass windows were imported from France.
In 1955 Muscatine Catholic High School Opens but by 1969, Muscatine Catholic High School becomes Hayes Catholic Elementary School.
Under the direction of Fr. Gannon, the parish raised money and constructed a new parish hall in 1986. Gannon Hall is named in his honor.
In 1999 St. Mary's Parish and St. Matthias Parish merge to form Saints Mary and Mathias catholic Parish.
2000's
In 2000 Hayes Catholic Elementary School officially merges with Saints Mary and Mathias Catholic Church and becomes Bishop Hayes Catholic School.
In 2008, the parish need for space to conduct faith formation classes was at a crisis point. Fr. Jason Crossen launched a fund raising effort to build 8 new classrooms, a multi-purpose room, a youth center and the necessary administrative space to relieve the problem. The new faith formation center, known as the Mazzuchelli Center, is attached to Saints Mary and Mathias Catholic School.
In 2010 Bishop Hayes Catholic School is renamed Saints Mary and Matthias Catholic School.
The parish celebrated its 175th Anniversary in 2017. Throughout the many years of its existance our parish has touched the hearts of so many people. We look forward to continuing to be the Catholic Church of Muscatine and serving our community with FAITH, ALIVE and ACTIVE.