Information contained in A Brief History, Clergy and Church Families is taken in part from the "History of 1st Church in Pocahontas", 1883-1970, SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Parish, Pocahontas , Iowa. Complete copies of this book can be found at the historic site.

1875 Father T.M. Lenahan of Ft. Dodge, held the first Catholic Mass in the schoolhouse at Pocahontas, maintaining an occasional service until 1881. If the priest could not make the trip to Pocahontas, baptisms and marriages necessitated a trip to St. Patrick's on the Lizard in horse drawn wagons with several families traveling as a group. After 1881, Father Mathew Norton, pastor of St. Patrick's celebrated Mass and the sacraments once a month in Pocahontas. 

1882 Warrich Price donated three acres of land one-half mile east of town for church and cemetery. On July 20, 1882, the first load of material for the construction of a 32' x 40' church was hauled to this location. The project was directed by Will Hubbel, assisted by men of the Bohemian settlement, at a cost of approximately $2,000.

The main altar was built in Spillville Iowa by Mr. Charles Andera and donated by Mrs. Mary Payer, who also donated a picture of SS. Peter and Paul that was painted in Bohemia. She was also the donor of the tolling bell. The church bells were named, Agnes and Joseph, and were brought from St. Louis. 

1894 The church was moved to its present location, with an addition of 30 feet. Father J.P. Broz was the first resident pastor from June 1891 until April 1895, building a rectory during his tenure. 

1895 Father W.A. Pape became pastor, enlarging and remodeling the church at a cost of $1,800. 

1901 Father V.A. Duda, a native of Moravia, arrived and the church was established as a Bohemian national parish, one of the very few in the United States, with papers to guarantee its continued existence. 

1912 A new hand-powered organ was purchased to accompany an excellent choir, but it was replaced with a Moeller electric organ in 1923. Father Michael Kolvek was pastor in 1923 and spoke the words of God in the parish native tongue. 

1957 Parishioners painted, put in a new floor, pews, altar and railing. In April 1964 the church was again redecorated. Shortly after that, due to the Vatican II change in church liturgy, some men of the parish changed the altar so the priest would face the congregation while saying Mass. In 1967 a new Allen organ was purchased with donations.

1973 The decree of Bishop Frank Gretamann established the two parishes (Sacred Heart and SS. Peter and Paul) as one, "The Resurrection of Our Lord" with the request that until such time as the new parish should build a new church, services would be maintained as usual in both churches. 

1983 SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church was permanently closed. 

1994 SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

First Baptism: Mary Votruba, August 17, 1891

First Wedding: Joseph Halousek and Anna Subert, December 7, 1891

First Funeral: Margaret Cotte, December 24, 1891

Last Wedding: Brian and Wanda (Shimon) Rittgers, ?, 198?

Last Mass: 50th Wedding Anniversary of Byron and Janet (Otto) Poduska, August 11, 1997

This is the main Altar in 1958, prior to it facing the congregation.

A current picture of the church from the choir loft. Note the pictures hanging on the wall in between the windows. These have been donated by past members. Your donations are also welcome, and you are invited to vist the Church next time you visit Pocahontas.

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