Immaculate Conception Parish began in 1913. The original church was in a small wooden structure that existed on the land obtained for the parish. The first official parish church was held in a multipurpose building now known as Pleus Hall. In 1922, the building of the existing church was begun.

The present Immaculate Conception church is built in a Romanesque style. This term was used to designate the architecture's similarity to that of the Romans. Its' style was not copied from the Roman Temples, due to the lack of space for the faithful to gather. Rather the form was taken from basilica which was used in market places, government buildings, gathering places, etc.

Elements of this architecture are the blocky appearance, round or barrel vaulted ceiling, the rounded arches, formed by free standing columns, piers (square columns) or pilasters (piers attached to the wall.)

The ceiling of Immaculate Conception church is a barrel vault. The vaulted ceiling has six wide masonry ribs that extend down to the side walls and form a corbel that resembles a stylized column capitol on both sides. A triumphal arch formation separates the nave or main body of the church from the sanctuary. The rounded edges of the ribs in the vaulted ceiling are reemphasized in the rounded edges of the arches in the triumphal arch. (photo by Dan Bernskoetter)

As you look around the church, you see the arch and column design repeated again and again. You see the arch formed by the shape of the beautiful windows. Arches and columns are also contained within the window design and in the Stations of the Cross.

(photos by Dan Bernskoetter)