Our Lady of Grace no longer a Catholic church

by Diocese of Des Moines | November 24, 2025

Bishop William Joensen has taken the second of three steps to fully close Our Lady of Grace in Griswold.

The first step was to merge the parish territory and goods with a neighboring parish. Our Lady of Griswold merged with Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in nearby Atlantic on Nov. 10.

Bishop Joensen has taken the second step. After consulting with the Presbyteral Council, he issued a canonical decree on Nov. 19 that relegates Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church to profane but not sordid use. In layman's terms, this removes the building's status as a church. Sacred functions will fully cease to be held in the building after Bishop's Mass on Dec. 7, and the building may be used for other non-sacred but non-scandalous purposes. 

The last step may not be completed until spring. This consists of the sale, or alienation, of the property. It involves the opportunity to give away objects from the church and removing and retaining certain sacred objects.