The award comes through the Iowa Rural Heritage Revitalization Grant program, administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s State Historic Preservation Office and funded by the National Park Service’s Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants Program. Sacred Heart was one of eight rural properties across the state to share in $750,000 announced in late June, with individual awards capped at $150,000 for communities of fewer than 50,000 residents.

The grant funding will help to cover critical repairs to the church’s clay tile, flat and asphalt roofing systems, along with drainage improvements meant to stop the leaks that have damaged the structure since it closed.

Leading the effort is Preserve Fort Dodge — Saving Sacred Heart, a nonprofit formed by parishioners which has also been recognized as a 501(c)(3). The group, which initially organized as the Sacred Heart planning committee, has also partnered with local organizations, nominated the church to the National Register of Historic Places, completed a historic structures report to prioritize repairs, and secured a string of grants and donations.

“The initial grants ran through the city’s Historic Preservation Commission,” said Carissa Harvey, board member with Preserve Fort Dodge, in a statement through the Sioux City Diocese. “It’s great to have teamwork and cooperation amongst all the groups because the city has a goal to make sure that our buildings are viable, usable and in good condition.”

In 2022, the group was able to get the church listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which opened up additional avenues for grant funding for the rehabilitation of the church.

“In 2024, we received state funds to do a historic structures report that helps us to prioritize what improvements should come first,” said Harvey. “It outlines what features we should be trying to save in the structure. We have quotes to repair the clay tile roof, flat roof and the drainage systems because they each have drains in them. That’s where we are seeing the most damage to the building,”

The latest award, announced last week, from the Iowa Economic Development Authority State Historic Preservation Office will help to repair those areas in need to prevent more water damage.

“Our hope is to get this project to a point that Preserve Fort Dodge can take it over and make it a property that continues to serve the Fort Dodge area for another century,” said Msgr. Kevin McCoy, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish.

According to Harvey, the partnership with Msgr. McCoy, the parish, and parishioners are what has led to the success of this project.

“None of this would happen without the partnership of the church because we are not the current owner,” said Harvey. “We have worked on agreements with the church and indicated that it is our intent that Preserve Fort Dodge will eventually own the structure.”

The long-term vision is to renovate the building for a new community use, and eventually transfer it to a private owner who would keep it in service.

“It’s a beautiful structure and served the community for so many years,” said Harvey. “We want to keep it as an important part of our community and our community skyline, too.”

Total preservation of the Romanesque Revival style church is estimated at $8 million, and the group plans to continue raising private funds, pursuing additional grants and applying for state and federal historic tax credits to reach that goal.

“We also intend to apply for historic tax credits — state and federal credits. We will work with a qualified architect in order to apply for those,” Harvey said.

Sacred Heart Church was designed by famed Iowa architect William L. Steele, who also designed the Sioux City St. Boniface Church and the Churdan St. Patrick Church, as well as many others throughout the area, adding to its historical significance. Construction on the church began in 1915 and was completed in 1921.

Sacred Heart served the area’s Catholic community for nearly a century before holding its final Mass in 2019, when Holy Trinity Church was built to serve all of Webster County.

Tax-deductible donations to Preserve Fort Dodge can be made by check, payable to Preserve Fort Dodge and mailed to Availa Bank, 130 N. 29th St., Fort Dodge, IA 50501.

How to help

Tax-deductible donations to Preserve Fort Dodge can be made by check, payable to Preserve Fort Dodge, and mailed to Availa Bank, 130 N. 29th St., Fort Dodge, IA 50501.