Who We Are
Trinity Heights offers more than two dozen shrines, memorial garden spots and quiet corners for prayer and reflection amidst 16 acres of spacious walkways and soft green spaces. Our peaceful setting — away from everyday hassles — sits on the spacious grounds of former Trinity College and high school.
Our Mission
The Mission of Trinity Heights is the evangelization by the laity in accordance with the Magisterium proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior and embracing the special role of the Blessed Mother in salvation history. By awakening faith through devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we are committed to assisting people on their journey of faith.
Our Purpose and Background
Trinity Heights was founded as a center for prayer in late 1992 to bring people closer to God and help them along their path towards heaven. Trinity Heights is owned by Queen of Peace, Inc., a nonprofit group of laypersons devoted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Our History
Father Harold V. Cooper
The development of Trinity Heights began around 1985, when Father Harold Cooper, then pastor of St. Joseph Church in Sioux City, conceived the idea for a statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Queen of Peace. Inspired by the sight of a 30-ft statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in California, he began his quest to place a similar statue in the Midwest. He generated enthusiasm for the project among a small group of laity and incorporated Queen of Peace, Inc., as a non-profit in 1985. Over the years, Father Cooper's dream grew into the official development of Trinity Heights. Father died in 2007, but his memory and many accomplishments live on at Trinity Heights.
Trinity Heights began welcoming its first visitors in 1990 shortly after the Immaculate Heart of Mary Queen of Peace was placed on the grounds. We have expanded steadily since and have welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors seeking a peaceful place for prayer and meditation.
Development of Trinity Heights
1984-1988
Lay persons formed a corporation to create Trinity Heights.
Trinity High School property purchased.
Plans for the statue of Immaculate Heart of Mary Queen of Peace initiated.
1989
The corporation officially named Queen of Peace, Inc.
1990
The Marian Center Gift Shop and Resource Center opened.
Dale Lamphere was commissioned to sculpt the statue of Immaculate Heart of Mary Queen of Peace.
1993
Immaculate Heart of Mary Queen of Peace statue dedicated.
1994-1997
Trinity Gardens and Circle of Life Memorial to the Unborn built.
St. Joseph Center and Museum was built to house wood carving of the Last Supper and hold official graduate displays and records of Trinity College and Trinity High School.
Adoration Chapel added.
1999
Sacred Heart of Jesus statue placed across the grounds from the outstretched hand of Immaculate Heart of Mary Queen of Peace.
Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Knock, and Our Lady of Fatima shrines completed.
2000-2004
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the Miraculous Medal and Our Lady of Guadalupe shrines completed.
Heaven's Special Child memorial added.
Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and St. Joseph placed.
St. Francis placed.
St. Therese the Little Flower, St. Peregrine, and St. Mother Teresa placed.
2005-2006
Way of the Saints completed with six clusters honoring 60 saints.
Moses, with the Ten Commandments, was placed on the hill overlooking the Way of the Saints.
2008
St. Anthony’s Senior Housing neighborhood of 12 town homes opened.
Office building opened.
Rachel Weeping placed at Circle of Life.
2009
Father Harold Cooper statue recognizes his work.
2010
St. Peter and Paul statues added in the Way of the Saints.
2011
Veteran’s Memorial dedicated.
2014
New Stations of the Cross installed in the Outdoor Cathedral.
2019
Statue of St. John the Baptist added adjacent to the entrance to the Way of the Saints.
2020
Divine Mercy Garden was added with the Mural of St. Faustina and the image of The Divine Mercy of Jesus.
2021
Statue of St. John Paul II added to the Divine Mercy Garden.
Staff and Operations
Trinity Heights operates with a small dedicated staff, a volunteer board of directors and scores of faithful volunteers. We rely entirely on your donations to operate Trinity Heights.
Staff
Margie Lancaster
St. Joseph Center Manager and Tour Director
Phone: 712-239-9158
Email: margie.lancaster@trinityheights.com
Board of Directors
Rick Bertrand
Russ Bertrand
Tom Coulson
Liz Determan
Susan Determan
Laura Grebasch
Nick Hegarty
Mary Hildman
Margie Lancaster
Chris McGowan
Al Metz
Terry Moran
Mary Jayne Mousel
Terry O'Gorman
Deb Organiscak
Ladonna Peters
Cindy Spenner
Tim Swedean
Dan Taylor
Don Townley
John Uhl
Elizabeth Wolpert
John Wolpert
Paul Wolpert
Have questions?
We have answers.
Donations
We rely entirely on donations to operate Trinity Heights. You can make a memorial or recognition gift to honor a loved one or make a general donation to help us maintain our grounds and facilities for visitors. All gifts support Trinity Heights as a sacred destination for prayer, praise and reflection.
We welcome your calls regarding plaques and other ways of giving that provide you with financial benefits. All gifts are tax deductible. We also invite you to volunteer. When you support Trinity Heights, you benefit persons of faith by contributing to a place of prayer for thousands of visitors a year.