Oratory status

The former Saint Joseph's Prairie Church in Washington Township, Dubuque County, Iowa. This parish ceased being an active parish in 1989, and was maintained as an Oratory until it was deconsecrated and sold in 1994.

In the Roman Catholic Church, Oratory Status is a special status that a church building may be placed in. In oratory status the parish has been closed and the church building and grounds become the responsibility of a neighboring parish.

A church building that has been placed on oratory status does not have regular masses scheduled. But such churches are available for special occasions. These include weddings, funerals, holidays, holy days of obligation, the feast day of the church's patron Saint, and other special masses.