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Corpus Christi Church
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| Location: | 416 N. 8th Street, Fort Dodge, Iowa |
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| Built: | 1881 |
| Architect: | Fred Herr A.V. Lambert |
| Architectural style: | Romanesque Revival |
| Governing body: | Private |
| MPS: | Oskaloosa MPS |
| NRHP Reference#: | 76000812 [1] |
| Added to NRHP: | October 8, 1976 |
Corpus Christi Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Sioux City. The church is located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Corpus Christi parish can trace its beginnings to a Mass that was held in the home of Michael Collins in 1855.[2] At the time the Fort Dodge area was a part of the Diocese of Dubuque, which covered the state of Iowa. The parish was founded the following year and the Rev. John Vahey was sent as its first pastor. It was the first parish founded in what would become the Diocese of Sioux City.[2] The first piece of property purchased for the parish was in 1857 at a cost of $200.[2] The first church and rectory were built on the property the same year.
The stone for the current church was quarried starting 1879 with construction starting the following year. It was completed in 1881. The church was built in the Romanesque Revival style for $37,892.59.[2] The convent, rectory and central heating plant were built between the years 1909 and 1932.
In July 2000, Corpus Christi became part of a "team ministry" that brought together the five parishes in Webster County. In addition to Corpus Christi the parishes include: Sacred Heart and Holy Rosary in Fort Dodge, St. Matthew's in Clare, and St. Joseph's in Barnum.[2]
The parish school opened in 1859 during the pastorate of Father Marsh, although classes were being held prior to this time in the church. The first school building was a two story structure with a cupola. The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary taught in the school from 1862 to 1865. Lay teacher taught in the school from 1865 to 1873. The Sisters of Mercy were next to teach in Fort Dodge from 1873 to 1902. In 1900 Mother Mary Catherine discovered a fire that completely destroyed the school. "The Academy" of Corpus Christi Parish was opened in 1902. The new school was built for $20,000.[2] The year it opened the Sisters of Charity BVM returned to the school and taught in Fort Dodge for the next 100 years. High school classes ended at Corpus Christi in 1956 when to St. Edmond High School opened. The Academy building was torn down in 1975.
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