St. Donatus Parish Museum

97 East 1stStreet
St. Donatus, Iowa 52071
Parish office: 563-872-3234

The St. Donatus Parish Museum was founded in 1985 by a group of interested parish members.   The mission of the museum is to preserve the history of St. Donatus Parish and the heritage of Luxembourgers who settled in the St. Donatus area. The museum is housed in the St. Donatus School building located next to the rectory and parish church.  The school, which closed in 1980, was built in 1965 to replace the former, stone academy building.   

   Displays in the St. Donatus Parish Museum include historic artifacts and photographs from the parish and community.  Banners and vestments in the collection date back to the 1850s.  The original 1866 wooden grave marker of Nicholas Kirchen, a Luxembourg immigrant to St. Donatus, is a treasured artifact along with the scale model replica of the Outdoor Way of the Cross and Pieta Chapel located in St. Donatus. 

              The St. Donatus Parish Museum also houses genealogical books, family histories, family trees, and commemorative books from other churches and communities.  These resources can be viewed by visitors to the museum.

              The hours of operation of the St. Donatus Parish Museum are by appointment only.  Please contact the Parish Office at 563-872-3234 to schedule a tour.  The museum is handicapped accessible.