About Diocese of Belleville
The Diocese of Belleville (Latin: Diœcesis Bellevillensis) is a Latin-rite Roman Catholic diocese covering the 28 southernmost counties of Illinois. Erected on January 7, 1887 by Pope Leo XIII from territory taken from the Diocese of Alton, it is a suffragan see of the Archdiocese of Chicago and is led today by its 10th bishop, Most Reverend Godfrey Mullen, O.S.B., a Benedictine monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey who was ordained and installed at the Cathedral of St. Peter on May 1, 2026. The mother church is the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Belleville — the largest cathedral in the State of Illinois — and the diocese serves approximately 70,000 Catholics across 99 parishes, 23 elementary schools, 3 high schools, 5 hospitals, and a network of Catholic Charities agencies.
- Bishop
- Godfrey Mullen, O.S.B.
- Established
- 1887
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of Saint Peter, 200 W. Harrison Street, Belleville, Illinois
- Territory
- The 28 southernmost counties of Illinois: Alexander, Clay, Clinton, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, St. Clair, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, and Williamson.
- Parishes
- 99 (45 with resident diocesan priests; 7 with resident religious priests)
- Province
- Archdiocese of Chicago (Province of Chicago)
About the Diocese of Belleville
The Diocese of Belleville covers 11,678 square miles across the 28 southernmost counties of Illinois, with 99 parishes, 23 elementary schools, 3 Catholic high schools, 5 hospitals, and 2 homes for senior citizens. It is a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Chicago in the Province of Chicago. According to the diocesan Office of Communications, the diocese is home to roughly 70,000 Catholics (with 2026 installation coverage citing up to ~127,000 registered). The mother church is the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Belleville — the largest cathedral in Illinois — and the patroness is the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
- Established January 7, 1887
- 28 counties, 11,678 sq mi
- 99 parishes (45 with resident diocesan priests, 7 with resident religious priests)
- 98 diocesan clergy, 36 religious-order clergy, 51 permanent deacons, 124 sisters
- 23 elementary schools (~4,254 students PK–8), 3 high schools (~882 students)
- 5 hospitals, 2 homes for senior citizens, 1 retired priests' home
History of the Diocese
Catholic life in southern Illinois began long before 1887. The Immaculate Conception mission at Kaskaskia (founded c. 1673 by Fr. Jacques Marquette, relocated c. 1700) and the Holy Family mission at Cahokia (1699) were the first Catholic communities in the region, served from the Diocese of Quebec. Decimated by colonial wars and westward expansion, those missions gave way in the early 1800s to immigrant parishes founded by Irish, French, English, and later German Catholics — St. Patrick's in Ruma (1818), St. Francis in St. Francisville (1818), and St. Augustine of Canterbury in Hecker (1824).
- 1673: Fr. Jacques Marquette opens Immaculate Conception mission; moves to Kaskaskia c. 1700
- 1699: French missionaries open Holy Family mission at Cahokia
- 1818: St. Patrick's, Ruma (Irish); St. Francis, St. Francisville (French from Vincennes)
- 1824: St. Augustine of Canterbury, Hecker (English)
- 1833: St. Boniface, Germantown opens
- 1822–1859: Fr. Elisha 'Daddy' Durbin serves as a circuit-riding missionary
- 1875: Hospital Sisters of St. Francis arrive from Münster, Germany and found St. Elizabeth's Hospital
- 1887: Pope Leo XIII erects the Diocese of Belleville from the Diocese of Alton
- 1888: Fr. John Janssen named first bishop; designates St. Peter's as the cathedral
- 1889: Sisters of St. Mary open St. Mary's Infirmary in East St. Louis
Bishops of Belleville
Ten bishops have led the diocese since 1887. Three — Keleher, Gregory, and McGovern — were subsequently promoted to metropolitan archdioceses. Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, the seventh bishop, was later elevated to Cardinal. Bishop Godfrey Mullen, O.S.B., a Benedictine monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana, is the 10th and current bishop.
- 1. John Janssen (1888–1913)
- 2. Henry J. Althoff (1914–1947)
- 3. Albert Rudolph Zuroweste (1948–1976)
- 4. William M. Cosgrove (1976–1981)
- 5. John N. Wurm (1981–1984)
- 6. James P. Keleher (1984–1993) — later Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas
- 7. Wilton D. Gregory (1994–2005) — later Archbishop of Atlanta, now Cardinal
- 8. Edward K. Braxton (2005–2020) — Bishop Emeritus
- 9. Michael McGovern (2020–2025) — later Archbishop of Omaha
- 10. Godfrey Mullen, O.S.B. (2026–present)
Most Reverend Godfrey Mullen, O.S.B. — Tenth Bishop
Bishop Godfrey Mullen, O.S.B., a native of Alton who grew up in Salem, Illinois, is a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana. He served as a professor of liturgy at St. Meinrad College, rector of St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville, Indiana, rector of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville, pastor of Blessed Sacrament and Queen of Peace parishes in Belleville, and vicar general of the diocese. He became apostolic administrator on May 9, 2025 after Bishop McGovern was named Archbishop of Omaha, and on March 13, 2026 Pope Leo XIV appointed him the 10th Bishop of Belleville. He was ordained and installed by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, on May 1, 2026 at the Cathedral of St. Peter before a capacity crowd of about 1,500. Bishop Mullen is the author of several books and articles on liturgy.
Cathedral of Saint Peter
The Cathedral of Saint Peter, 200 W. Harrison Street, Belleville, is the mother church of the Diocese of Belleville and the largest cathedral in the State of Illinois. The parish was founded in 1842; the present Gothic Revival structure, designed by St. Louis architect Victor Klutho after the 1912 fire, was modeled after the Cathedral of Exeter in England. The exterior walls of the pre-fire church were incorporated into the new building. Bishop Albert Zuroweste resurfaced the exterior in Winona split-face dolomitic limestone accented with Indiana limestone in 1956, and a major 1966–68 project extended the nave south, added sacristies, shrines, and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, and brought seating to 1,270. The cathedral houses a three-manual, 40-rank M. P. Moller organ (1968, later expanded), and in 2015 hosted the relics of St. Maria Goretti.
- Style: Gothic Revival (modeled on Exeter Cathedral, England)
- Capacity: 1,270
- Dimensions: 265 ft long × 65 ft wide × 222 ft tall
- Materials: Winona split-face dolomitic limestone exterior with Indiana limestone accents
- Architect (post-1912): Victor Klutho, St. Louis
- Organ: three-manual, 40-rank M. P. Moller (1968)
- Fires: 1912 (major reconstruction), 1937 (west nave damage)
- 1966–68 expansion: south nave, sacristies, shrines, Blessed Sacrament Chapel
- Parish founded 1842; designated cathedral 1888
Pastoral Plan: "Embracing the Future With Hope"
On the occasion of the diocese's 125th anniversary in 2012, Bishop Edward K. Braxton published the pastoral letter "Embracing the Future With Hope," outlining a multi-year pastoral plan for parish renewal and restructuring. Recognizing that demographics in southern Illinois — aging population, out-migration, and a growing Hispanic Catholic population — had fundamentally changed the local church, the plan called for the consolidation or merger of 15 to 20 parishes. Phase II of the plan ran from 2012 into early 2013. In 2006 Bishop Braxton had earlier published "We Are His Witnesses: Our Spirit-Filled Mission as the Church in Southern Illinois," which was sent to every Catholic family in the diocese and welcomed the first international priests to the region.
- 2012: Bishop Braxton's 'Embracing the Future With Hope' — parish renewal and restructuring plan
- 15–20 parishes identified for consolidation or merger
- 2006: 'We Are His Witnesses' pastoral letter; first international priests welcomed
- Growing Hispanic Catholic population cited as a key demographic factor
Catholic Schools
The diocese operates 23 elementary schools (serving about 4,254 students in PK–8) and 3 Catholic high schools (about 882 students). The diocesan schools office promotes Catholic education as academic and faith formation, citing data that Catholic school 8th graders outscore public-school peers by 13 points in math and 20 points in reading, that 99% of Catholic high school students graduate, and that graduates are significantly more likely to earn a bachelor's degree and to remain civically engaged as adults. Tuition assistance, philanthropic partnerships, and the advance of school choice have expanded parental access to Catholic schools across the 28-county region.
- 23 elementary schools (~4,254 students, PK–8)
- 3 Catholic high schools (~882 students)
- Diocesan Schools Office coordinates curriculum, faith formation, and tuition assistance
- Statistics cited: 99% Catholic high-school graduation rate vs. 82% public; +13 math / +20 reading scores vs. public 8th graders
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Faith formation in the Diocese of Belleville spans parish-based religious education, sacramental preparation, youth ministry, and campus ministry. The Office of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry coordinates programs for children, teens, and college-aged Catholics across the 28-county region, supporting families, catechists, and parish leaders in the ongoing catechetical mission of the diocese.
- Parish religious education programs
- Sacramental preparation
- Youth ministry
- Campus ministry
Catholic Charities of Southern Illinois
Catholic Charities of Southern Illinois is an alliance of 11 ministries in more than 20 locations serving the 28 southernmost counties of Illinois — seven of which rank among the poorest in the state. Its mission: 'To serve and uplift the most vulnerable members of our community by embodying Christ's love and compassion.' Services are open to anyone in need regardless of religion and reach children, single parents, intact families, seniors, immigrants, unwed mothers, the unemployed, the homeless, the working poor, the homebound, the incarcerated, the illiterate, and the malnourished. It is a member agency of Catholic Charities USA.
- 11 ministries in 20+ locations
- Serves 28 counties; 7 of the poorest in Illinois
- Open to all in need, regardless of faith
- Member of Catholic Charities USA
- Director: Mary Fleming — 618-722-5015
Daystar Community Programs (Cairo)
Daystar Community Programs, founded in 1978 by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, is one of very few social-service agencies serving Cairo, at the southernmost tip of Illinois. Its motto is 'FAITH HOPE AND CHARITY.' Programs include a mobile food pantry and on-site food pantry, The Kitchen Table soup kitchen, assistance with mortgage/lease payments, utilities, medical/prescription expenses, transportation, furniture/appliances in emergencies, in-home visitation, a Thanksgiving Day dinner, and Christmas outreach for children and families. Each summer, volunteer youth and adults from Catholic high schools, college programs, and parish youth groups spend 27 years and counting in Cairo doing home repairs, painting, gardens, and clean-ups.
- Founded 1978 by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ
- Outreach: mortgage/lease, utilities, medical, transportation, furniture/appliances
- Mobile and on-site food pantry; The Kitchen Table soup kitchen
- Thanksgiving Day dinner; Christmas outreach for children and families
- 27+ years of summer youth volunteer mission trips
- Office hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, 9:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. — 618-734-0178
Catholic Urban Programs
Catholic Urban Programs is another agency of Catholic Charities of Southern Illinois, addressing the needs of urban communities within the diocese — particularly in East St. Louis and other population centers in St. Clair County — through food, housing, and family-support services.
St. Anne Cradle of Hope & St. Vincent de Paul Society
Under the umbrella of Catholic Charities, the diocese supports St. Anne Cradle of Hope (a ministry of mercy for mothers and infants) and local councils of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, whose members personify the church's preferential option for the poor through direct home visits and material assistance.
Ministry to the Sick and Aged
The diocesan Ministry to the Sick and Aged coordinates pastoral care for the homebound, hospitalized, and residents of the diocese's two homes for senior citizens and one retired priests' home. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, deacons, and priests bring the Eucharist, Anointing of the Sick, and pastoral visits to those unable to attend Mass.
- Pastoral care for homebound and hospitalized
- 2 homes for senior citizens
- 1 retired priests' home
- Coordination with parish Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Diocesan Cemeteries
The Office of Cemeteries oversees Catholic cemeteries serving the faithful of the diocese, providing consecrated burial grounds in accordance with Catholic tradition and offering pastoral and administrative support to parish and diocesan cemeteries across southern Illinois.
Offices and Departments
The Chancery at 222 South Third Street, Belleville coordinates the work of the diocese through several offices and departments, including Catholic Charities, Catholic Schools, Catholic Urban Programs, Faith Formation and Youth Ministry, Campus Ministry, Social Outreach (Daystar), Family and Children ministries, the Diocesan Foundation, the Annual Catholic Appeal, and the offices of Canonical Affairs, Temporal Administration, and Pastoral Services. The Office of Archives is the official repository of diocesan records, preserving the historical records of offices, missions, parishes, and schools, and providing sacramental records for suppressed parishes.
- Catholic Charities / Social Outreach
- Catholic Schools
- Catholic Urban Programs
- Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
- Campus Ministry
- Daystar Community Programs
- Family / Children ministries
- Diocesan Foundation
- Annual Catholic Appeal
- Canonical Affairs / Archives
- Temporal Administration
- Pastoral Services
Diocesan Archives
The Office of Archives is the official repository of the Diocese of Belleville. It collects, preserves, and makes available the historical records of the offices, missions, parishes, and schools of the diocese; serves as the source for sacramental records of suppressed parishes; and provides records-management guidance to parishes, offices, and agencies. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. General inquiries, baptismal or sacramental certificate requests can be directed to 618-722-5057.
- Repository for diocesan, parish, and school historical records
- Sacramental records for suppressed parishes
- Records-management guidance for parishes and agencies
- Hours: Mon–Thu, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Phone: 618-722-5057
Hospital and Health-Care Apostolate
The diocese's health-care ministry traces to 1875, when the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis of Münster, Germany sent sisters to found St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville — today HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital. The Sisters of St. Mary of the Third Order of St. Francis followed in 1889, opening St. Mary's Infirmary in East St. Louis. The diocese is currently associated with 5 hospitals across the region, complemented by chaplaincy and pastoral care for the sick and aged.
- 1875: Hospital Sisters of St. Francis arrive from Münster; found St. Elizabeth's Hospital (now HSHS St. Elizabeth's)
- 1889: Sisters of St. Mary open St. Mary's Infirmary, East St. Louis
- 5 hospitals currently operated in the diocese
Finding a Parish or Priest
The diocese publishes an online directory of all 99 parishes and an active clergy roster — including diocesan priests, religious-order priests, extern priests, permanent deacons, and sisters — to help parishioners and visitors find Mass schedules, confession times, and sacramental information at the parish nearest them.
- Find a Parish directory
- Find a Priest directory
- 99 parishes (45 with resident diocesan priests, 7 with resident religious priests)
- 20+ extern priests in ministry
Visiting Belleville / Getting Involved
Visitors to the Cathedral of Saint Peter at 200 W. Harrison Street are welcome at weekend and daily Masses. The diocese offers many ways to get involved — volunteering with Catholic Charities, Daystar, or a parish ministry; supporting the Annual Catholic Appeal or the Diocesan Foundation; enrolling children in Catholic schools; or discerning a vocation to the diocesan priesthood or religious life. The diocesan Office of Vocations accompanies men exploring the priesthood, and the diocese currently has 5 diocesan seminarians in formation.
- Volunteer through Catholic Charities, Daystar, or local parish
- Support the Annual Catholic Appeal
- Enroll children in Catholic schools (23 elementary, 3 high schools)
- Vocations: 5 diocesan seminarians currently in formation
- Chancery: 222 South Third Street, Belleville, IL 62220 — 618-722-5001
