St. Augustin Church

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St. Augustin Parish Mission Statement
As a community of believers, we strive to become transformed into Christ Our Lord by being nurtured through our worship of our heavenly Father. This we do together through Jesus and with the Holy Spirit at our Sunday Eucharistic celebrations and by a life of continual prayer. We are committed to the "teachings of the Apostles", to living our faith and to transmitting the teachings of Jesus as taught by the Catholic Church to adults, youth and children. We also encourage one another to live these teachings particularly in the context of our family life.

Jesus nourishes His flock as the Good Shepherd and sends us forth to proclaim the Good News of His saving love. Our mission in Christ is to nurture as well as going forth as His ambassadors to bring the light of Christ to our world.

St. Augustin Parish History
Twelve men petitioned Bishop T.W. Drumm in February 1920, to establish a parish on the west side of Des Moines. Land was purchased on the corner of 42nd Street and Grand Avenue, and incorporation papers were drawn and filed in September 1922. Fr. John Noonan was appointed the Church's first pastor. St. Augustin Church was formally dedicated February 1924. The school was constructed at 4320 Grand Avenue in 1926, with four classrooms.

In 1928, Fr. James Manning was appointed pastor and the rectory was constructed. Fr. Francis O'Connell served from 1933 until his death in 1948. During that time, the interior furnishings of the Church were completed, the school was enlarged, and the debt eliminated.

Msgr. Gerald Walker served from September 1948 until his retirement in June 1981. An avid promoter of Catholic education, Fr. Walker oversaw the construction of a second school building. The sanctuary was redecorated and a carillion was installed. Msgr. Walker was involved in community activities until his death in December 1981.

In August of 1981, Fr. Frank Nugent was appointed pastor. The church building was repaired, an entrance for disabled people was constructed in front of the Chapel, and a new Parish Hall was completed in September of 1986. In October of 1988, the lower level of the hall was completed. Fr. Nugent died in October 1989.

Fr. Thomas Crowley served as administrator of St. Augustin Parish until July of 1990 when Msgr. Frank Bognanno was appointed pastor. In early 1995, a capital campaign was begun to raise money for a new addition and renovation of the second school building. The campaign reached it's goal and in the spring of 1996, ground was broken for the new school. The new school was completed in the fall of 1997. The chapel renovation was completed in 1999.

St. Augustin Church serves approximately 1400 families on Des Moines' west side. St. Augustin School accommodates more than 300 students in Pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, providing before and after school care to families.