Coggon's St. John's Catholic Church celebrates 100 years

COGGON- Since 1912, the pews of Saint John's Catholic Church in Coggon have been full of devoted followers.  Sunday marked the centennial celebration.  The church spent the day celebrating and pushing forward toward more growth.

With voices strong and united toward the heavens a packed Saint John's Catholic Church ushered in the 100th mass.

"Celebrate 100 years of faith and love in this community,” said Father Wayne Droessler from St. John's Catholic Church.

It was a service with a familiar tune.  But new faces arrived to celebrate the momentous centennial.

"Washington, Virginia we have people here from all over it's just wonderful,” said St. John's member Sharon Reiter.

The familiar face of the Archbishop of Dubuque also honored the great occasion in Coggon.  But for many, this church is a second home.

"There are a lot of children and grandchildren of the original people that were here 100 years ago,” said Droessler.

They were baptized, married and everything in between right here in this building for decades.  Sharon Reiter remembers her wedding her just 41 years ago.

"When we were married, the alter was in the back and now that's around and a lot has changed in our church,” said Reiter.

And on the outside, a more updated handi-cap accessible building welcomes all guests.  But the pastor says two things haven't changed.

"A lot of faith and love so that's what it's all about,” said Droessler.

After ending Sunday's service with a familiar declaration, the congregation left the building with hopes of another one hundred years to come.  After the service, parishioners gathered for a celebratory dinner where they shared stories and pictures about the church and congregation over the past one hundred years.