The church was founded in the town of Lyons, which is now the north side of Clinton, Iowa, United States.

Frederic Cyrille Jean, who was assigned as the first resident pastor at the first parish in town, St. Irenaeus Church.

[3] In October 1861 the German Catholics in Lyons from St. Irenaeus founded St. Boniface Parish.

The priests from St. Boniface took care of that parish until 1903 when a resident pastor was assigned to Sacred Heart.

A non-profit group has turned the church building into a religious heritage museum.

[8] The Gothic Revival style structure was meant to reflect the German heritage of the congregation.

Two bell towers topped with spires dominate the main facade of the church.

The exterior is composed of pressed red brick with blue Bedford stone trim.