The annual list of imperiled buildings was released by Preservation Iowa last month and aims to garner attention and potential resources to save properties that are “slowly and gradually slipping away from us.”

Also named to the list was the James Townsend’s Traveler’s Rest in West Branch. The home was believed to have been part of the Underground Railroad.

“Many times we aren’t aware of how historic buildings contribute to our sense of place until they are no longer there,’ said Leigh Ann Randak, coordinator for Preservation Iowa’s Most Endangered Properties program. “We may not know their history or how that history is woven into the history of our communities. We may not recognize how the structures have played a part in the uniqueness of our communities. Even if we are aware of their history and importance, we may take for granted their presence, and our attention needs to be drawn to the fact that they need attention and care in order for them to continue to be an asset to our communities Preservation Iowa hopes that by having these structures recognized by a statewide, historic preservation organization, it will draw the public to look more closely at the importance of these sites to their communities.”

Sacred Heart Church was designed by Prairie School architect William Steele and displays a mix of Romanesque and Prairie style detailing and architecture. Construction on the church began in 1915 and was completed section by section over a number of years. The main part of the church was completed and dedicated in 1922. The distinctive Munich stained glass windows were added in the 1930s.

-Messenger file photo
The Rev. Brian Feller looks over the interior of Sacred Heart Catholic Church after serving Mass in the church’s chapel. The last Mass at Sacred Heart was held in September 2019.

With its notable exterior, Sacred Heart Church served as an anchor for the Fort Dodge Catholic community and a staple of the neighborhood for over 100 years. In addition to church services, the church was host to concerts and artistic displays for all denominations.

In 2006, the Catholic churches of Webster County merged to form Holy Trinity Parish. A newly constructed church now serves the entire parish and was dedicated in 2020. The individual churches, including Sacred Heart Church closed. The last Mass celebrated at Sacred Heart was in 2019 and at present the building is unused.

Since becoming vacant, water problems have continued within the structure through leaks in the clay-tile roof as well as flooding in the basement. Water has also contributed to the deterioration of parts of the interior walls and ceiling and mold has grown.

According to Randak, Sacred Heart Church was nominated for the Most Endangered designation. Preservation Iowa then reviews nominated properties and evaluates them based on the historic significance of the building, site, or structure as well as the present condition of the building, as well as urgency and nature of the threats and possible solutions that would remove threats to the place.

In many cases, the designation groups that have been named to the Most Endangered Properties list are able to then leverage financial resources to restore and preserve properties.

The non-profit group Preserve Fort Dodge was formed after Sacred Heart Church’s closure with the purpose of mapping out a plan to save the former church. Through the group’s efforts, the structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2022 and a consultant was hired to complete a historic structures report.

Over the past 25 years, Preservation Iowa has designated more than 200 archaeological sites, commercial buildings, homes, churches, landscapes and a variety of other properties in 70 Iowa counties.