Our History

Parochial education began in 1852 at St. Mathias parish in Muscatine.  Classes were first taught in the Church.  In 1853, a brick addition was made to the Church to accommodate the expanding classes.  The Sisters of the BVM came to St. Mathias in 1862.  In 1864, the first High School in Muscatine was the parochial school at St. Mathias.  An addition was built in 1865, and another was needed two years later.  In 1887 a disastrous fire completely destroyed the school, but the loyal parishioners replaced the old building with a new brick structure.  More room was added in 1906; still other remodeling projects followed in 1923 and 1930.

On December 4, 1879, the pastor of St. Mary’s Church requested that the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) be sent to the parish so that a school might be started. The grade school was opened in January 1880.  In 1925, the four-year High School curriculum was begun at St. Mary’s. 

Plans began in 1953 for a new Catholic High School located on Cedar Street. The reality was born during the 1955 school year.  (This was a beginning of a merger in education in Muscatine).  The cornerstone of Bishop Hayes School tells us that in 1955, Bishop Hayes blessed the current building. Each parish kept their own Grades 1-8 elementary schools.  Muscatine Catholic High School closed in 1969. 

From 1969 on, Muscatine Catholic High School merged elementary education into a Grades 1-6 school becoming Hayes Catholic School and eventually a Grades K-5 school. 

The Muscatine Catholic Community has a deep history for making sure that all of the children in our Catholic Community have the opportunity to grow in their Catholic faith. As changes were taking place in our Catholic school in the late 60's and early 70's, the Catholic Community made sure that all of our youth would be educated in the Catholic faith. In 1970, the Religious Education Center, part of Bishop Hayes School, was opened.

In 2000, Hayes became Bishop Hayes Catholic School and the preschool was named Guardian Angel preschool.  Presently, Bishop Hayes is a Preschool through Grade 5 elementary school.

The Muscatine Catholic Community, as it is known today, has existed since July of 2000.  At that time, the St. Mary Church and St. Mathias Church were combined to create the Ss. Mary & Mathias Parish.  In May of 2003, the Bishop Hayes Catholic School was incorporated into the parish, making it a parish school. In 2005, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission became part of Ss. Mary & Mathias Parish, thus completing The Muscatine Catholic Community.