IMOGENE, Iowa (AP) – A southwest Iowa church has celebrated its 100th birthday with an event that drew hundreds of people. Des Moines television station KCCI-TV reports that about 700 people attended a dinner gathering Saturday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Imogene. The church is one of the oldest in southwest Iowa.

The town has shrunk to less than half the size it was 100 years ago, and many church members come from surrounding counties. Margaret Laughlin, the parish’s secretary and historian, says the church altar traces its history back to the founding pastor, Edmond Hayes.