But the last Mass was celebrated there in 2019. The building’s interior is mostly empty. Some of its components were removed and incorporated into the new Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Sixth Avenue North.

Preservation-minded groups and individuals are striving to find a new use for the 102-year-old church at 211 S. 13th St.

They scored a success recently when the Iowa Economic Development Authority awarded a roughly $17,000 grant that will help to pay for hiring an architect to prepare a report outlining what must be done to preserve the building.

“Receiving this grant is just the next step to making the dream of Sacred Heart becoming a viable building a reality,” said Carissa Harvey, the president of Preserve Fort Dodge.

The state agency awarded a $16,573 grant to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Local matching funds of $11,069 are needed.

The total cost of hiring someone to produce a historic structure report is estimated at $27,642.

The completed report will:

• Provide documentary, graphic and physical information on the building and its history.

• Prioritize needed improvements.

• Estimate costs of working on the building.

• Identify potential sources of money for the project.

According to Harvey, the finished report will be a “very important tool” when applying for grants to help pay for the restoration.

RDG, an architectural firm from Des Moines, was hired to prepare the report.

Preserve Fort Dodge and the architectural firm held a public meeting in December to get ideas from the public on potential future uses for the old church. Submitted ideas included event space, arts and culture facility, restaurant/bar, catering kitchen, nonprofit support site, retreat space and wedding venue.

Although the grant was awarded to the Historic Preservation Commission, the building is owned by Holy Trinity Catholic Parish.

A new nonprofit, Preserve Fort Dodge, is leading the effort to raise money for the restoration of the church. A Sacred Heart Preservation Fund has been established with the Fort Dodge Community Foundation.

Harvey said the redevelopment of Sacred Heart will be a multi-year project.

When actual work begins, the first step will be addressing immediate needs to prevent the building from deteriorating, she said.

The church has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, a move which may open some more funding opportunities for the project.

While Sacred Heart Church is its focus now, Preserve Fort Dodge plans to turn its attention to additional buildings in the future.

“We have big hopes for restoring other buildings as well,” said Tracy Crimmins, a member of the organization.