Fritz Chapel

34804 308th Street (formerly Spruce Creek Road)

Off of State Highway 52 between St. Donatus and Bellevue. 

Look for the sign on Highway 52 indicating the turn west for the Fritz Chapel.

     The Fritz Chapel was built in 1856 by Matthias Fritz, an immigrant from Pettingen, Luxembourg, as a sign of spiritual gratitude to God for the family’s safe voyage to America in 1855.

    Matthias was born in September 1816 in Pettingen and he trained as a stone mason and carpenter.  In 1841 he married Maria Forrett who was born on October 26, 1818.  Maria was a skilled seamstress, a trade she learned from her father who was a tailor. 

Six of Matthias and Maria’s thirteen children were born in Luxembourg between 1842

and 1854. 

    Like so many of their contemporaries, Matthias and Maria hoped for a better life in America.  In 1855 they sold most all of their worldly possessions, packed up their family and make the grueling 260 mile trip to Le Havre.   Upon reaching Le Havre, the Fritz family secured passage on the ship Radius along with 221 others.  They departed on March 22 and took on the ravages of the sea.

    The long and arduous voyage was extremely rough causing sickness and great fear among the passengers.  Matthias, being a very devout Catholic, made a vow to God that if God gave his family safe passage to America, he would show his gratitude by erecting a chapel that would endure as long as the stone it would be built of.  On May 1, after 42 grueling days at sea, the Radius arrived safely at the port of New Orleans. 

    From New Orleans, the Fritz family made their way north arriving at Bellevue, Jackson County, Iowa on Ascension Thursday, May 18.  Matthias and Maria purchased 40 acres of land in Bellevue Township in the beautiful Spruce Creek Valley.  There they joined other immigrant settlers from Luxembourg.

    With the help of neighbors and friends, Matthias and Maria built a log cabin for their family.  They also helped the local community with the construction of St. Nicholas Church located about one mile away from their home.

    As Matthias and his family entered into their first winter in America, it is believed that Matthias began to fulfill his promise to God.  In the winter of 1856, Matthias sawed out the large arch for the chapel he would build.  He also carved by hand the crucifix that would be displayed in the chapel.  Both the arch and the crucifix were made of walnut. 

    Construction of the stone chapel began the following spring.  The chapel was located on land owned and given to Matthias by Nicholas Mousel who assisted him in building the chapel.  Later, two additional chapels were also built.  One located half way to St. Nicholas Church and the other in the center of St. Nicholas Cemetery.  All three chapels were used for many years for Corpus Christi processions and Benediction but the last two chapels did not survive the ravages of time.

    For over 150 years, the Fritz Chapel has stood as a testimony to the faith of Matthias Fritz and so many other Luxembourg immigrants like him.  Descendants of Matthias Fritz and a Fritz Chapel Fund provide upkeep and maintenance for the chapel and it continues to be a place of inspiration for all who visit.  A Mass for the Fritz Family Reunion continues to be celebrated at the chapel every two years in July. 

    The Fritz Chapel is located at 34804, 308th Street (formerly Spruce Creek Road) off of State Highway 52 between St. Donatus and Bellevue.  Look for the sign on Highway 52 indicating the turn west for the Fritz Chapel.