Mid 1800's Czechs immigrated to Iowa. They came to Iowa to claim their own land and flee political/religious oppression by the Austrians. The Catholic Mass was celebrated at that time in Latin. We invite you to join us for a traditional Latin mass. Most were farmers used to farming small tracts of land. They got here by ship, oxcart, covered wagon, and later train to settle in the Midwest. They began buying small tracts of land in this area to build homes. One of the first Churches for the Bohemian people was in Cedar Rapids also called St. Wenceslaus. As it grew and more settlers moved west they added another church called St. Ludmilla. Names of St. Ludmilla and Wenceslaus were revered among the Bohemians because they where historical figures that represented their self-governance.

They were brick layers, masons, tin smiths, laborers, and carpenters. Many helped build teh buildings in Cedar Rapids.

The Bohemians had large gardens and raised fowl for eggs and feathers. Geese especially were raised for down comforters. The Bohemians used geese feathers to dip into lard to brush the tops of Kolaches. (excerpt from: Our History) Painted villages of the Immigrant homelands are painted in the main worship area of the church.