ST. IRENAEUS CHURCH
2835 North 2nd Street
The cornerstone of St. Irenaeus Church was laid May 1, 1864, during the Civil War, and the church was completed during 1871. Bishop Smythe, from Dubuque, wanted it modeled after a beautiful cathedral in Lyons, France. In 1907, the altar and entry of the church were reversed so parishioners would enter from North Second Street at ground level. The main entry was originally at the top of the wooden decking on the east side of the building. St. Irenaeus was closed in 2010 due to the consolidation of the five parishes in Clinton into Prince of Peace Church, which became the sole Catholic church in Clinton. St. Irenaeus was then taken over by the Clinton County Historical Society. In 2021, it was sold and is now St. Irenaeus Chapel. Their mission is to preserve the history and religious heritage of St. Irenaeus Church in Clinton. On December 18, 2021, The Mass of the Angels was said for Maximilian Gabbard, in whose memory this church was restored. It was the first Traditional Mass said there in many years.