About Blessed Sacrament · Belleville, Illinois
Blessed Sacrament is a Catholic parish in the west end of Belleville, Illinois, in the Diocese of Belleville. It was established in 1926 by Bishop Henry Althoff through the efforts of the Signal Hill Catholic Community and Msgr. Christopher Goelz (then pastor at St. Philip parish in East St. Louis). The current church was dedicated in 1953. Today the parish operates in a pastoral partnership with neighboring Our Lady Queen of Peace, sharing clergy and ministries under the leadership of Msgr. James (Jim) Buerster, and continues to run Blessed Sacrament Catholic Grade School, known locally for its academic excellence and faith formation.
- Established
- 1926
- Patron
- Blessed Sacrament (the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. James (Jim) Buerster, Temporary Administrator
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville, Illinois
Why belong here
Blessed Sacrament offers a deeply rooted Catholic community on the west end of Belleville, with weekly Saturday vigil Mass, weekday Masses, and a Saturday afternoon Reconciliation schedule that makes the sacrament convenient to receive. The parish shares a robust partnership with Our Lady Queen of Peace, giving families access to both a parish school (Pre-K through 8th grade) and a wide range of ministries — from liturgical roles like lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and music ministry, to social outreach through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, parish quilters, funeral luncheon teams, and Boy Scout Troop 529. Faith formation for children and adults — including OCIA for those becoming Catholic — is well-organized and welcoming.
Mass times at Blessed Sacrament
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–4:00 pm at Blessed Sacrament Church
- By appointment
History of Blessed Sacrament Parish
Blessed Sacrament parish was established in 1926 by Bishop Henry Althoff at the request of the Signal Hill Catholic Community, with Msgr. Christopher Goelz — then pastor of St. Philip in East St. Louis — driving its founding. The Bohemian coal-mining and farming settlers of the 1860s, joined by more affluent families after the 1920s streetcar boom, needed a parish of their own. The first pastor was Rev. Joseph M. Mueller (1926–1930), followed by Msgr. Louis Ell (1930–1971), under whose long pastorate the present church was dedicated in 1953. Around 2012, the parish entered a pastoral partnership with nearby Our Lady Queen of Peace, sharing clergy and ministries under Msgr. James Buerster.
- Established 1926 by Bishop Henry Althoff
- Founding driven by the Signal Hill Catholic Community and Msgr. Christopher Goelz
- First pastor: Rev. Joseph M. Mueller (1926–1930)
- Msgr. Louis Ell served 1930–1971 (41 years)
- Present church dedicated 1953
- Entered pastoral partnership with Our Lady Queen of Peace c. 2012
- 100th anniversary celebrated April 18, 2026
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by Rev. Msgr. James (Jim) Buerster as Temporary Administrator, with Rev. Msgr. John W. McEvilly in residence and Deacon Tim DeRousse assisting. Lay staff include Business Manager Karen Ferrara, Director of Liturgy Charles "Rusty" Asbury, Director of Adult Faith Formation Greg Nowak, and parish secretaries Donna Lee and Colleen Cox.
- Rev. Msgr. James Buerster — Parish Administrator (Ext. 15)
- Rev. Msgr. John W. McEvilly — Priest in Residence
- Deacon Tim DeRousse — Director of Youth Faith Formation
- Karen Ferrara — Business Manager (Ext. 11)
- Charles 'Rusty' Asbury — Director of Liturgy (Ext. 16)
- Greg Nowak — Director of Adult Faith Formation
- Donna Lee & Colleen Cox — Parish Secretaries (Ext. 0 / Ext. 13)
Finance Council & Trustees
Lay trustees and finance council members support the temporal affairs of the partnership parishes alongside the pastor. The Blessed Sacrament finance council includes Trustees David Orlet and Jocelyn Holland, with members Clare Goelz, Darla Telken, Principal Claire Hatch, Business Manager Karen Ferrara, and advisors David Schrader and Janet Bone.
- Blessed Sacrament Trustees: David Orlet, Jocelyn Holland
- Finance Council members: Clare Goelz, Darla Telken
- Our Lady Queen of Peace Trustees: Anna O'Gara, Ray Schott
- Advisor: David Schrader, Janet Bone
Sacraments
Blessed Sacrament prepares parishioners for the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage. Baptisms are typically held during the weekend Mass, and Reconciliation is offered each Saturday afternoon before the vigil Mass, or by appointment. Couples are asked to contact the parish office to begin marriage preparation.
- Baptism (typically during weekend Mass)
- Reconciliation (Saturday 3:30–4:00 pm or by appointment)
- First Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Marriage preparation (contact parish office)
Faith Formation
Faith formation at Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady Queen of Peace is offered for every age. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) provides religious education for public-school students in kindergarten through eighth grade, taught jointly with St. Augustine and Cathedral Catholic parishes at St. Augustine. Adult Faith Formation includes Bible study, special topics, and formation for those wishing to deepen their faith. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program prepares those wishing to become Catholic, with weekly sessions beginning in September and reception of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR, K–8) — contact Sr. Theresa 'Tess' Markus
- Adult Faith Formation — Greg Nowak (314-479-6197)
- OCIA — for those becoming Catholic (weekly, September–Easter Vigil)
- Bible Study — small-group studies of various books of the Bible
Liturgical Ministries (Ways to Get Involved)
The parish welcomes parishioners to serve in a wide variety of liturgical roles during Mass. Coordinated by Director of Liturgy Rusty Asbury, opportunities include welcoming at the door, proclaiming the Word, distributing Holy Communion, serving at the altar, presenting the gifts, leading music, and leading Children's Liturgy of the Word for K–5 students.
- Ushers
- Eucharistic Ministers (incl. visits to homebound)
- Music Ministers / Choir / Cantors
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (at 10 am Mass, Our Lady Queen of Peace)
- Presenter of the Gifts
- Lectors
- Altar Servers
- Coordinator: Rusty Asbury (618-803-9423)
Social Ministries & Outreach
Beyond the liturgy, parishioners serve one another and the wider community through a strong network of social ministries. The St. Vincent de Paul Society operates a Help Hotline, supports Cosgrove's Kitchen and Drop-In Center, runs a monthly food barrel and food pantry, and organizes an annual Giving Tree. Other groups include the parish quilters (who donate quilts for fundraising), funeral luncheon teams, the Mary & Martha Ministry for homebound and bereaved parishioners, Boy Scout Troop 529, Prison Ministry, parish festivals, and the Lenten/Advent Fish Fry.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (Help Hotline, Cosgrove's Kitchen, Drop-In Center, Food Pantry, Giving Tree)
- St. Ann Sodality / Altar Society
- Mary & Martha Ministry
- Funeral Luncheon Ministry
- Parish Quilters (Mon & Thu 9 am–3 pm)
- Fish Fry during Lent & Advent
- Annual Parish Festival
- Boy Scout Troop 529 (at Our Lady Queen of Peace)
- Prison Ministry
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Grade School, located at 8809 W. Main Street, Belleville, is the parish's Pre-K through 8th-grade school. Known locally for academic excellence and faith formation, the school is led by Principal Claire Hatch and offers programs from Pre-K 3 through 8th grade, including computer science, music, art, library, and physical education. The school celebrated its 100-year anniversary alongside the parish in April 2026.
- Address: 8809 W. Main Street, Belleville, IL 62223
- Phone: (618) 397-1111
- Principal: Claire Hatch
- Programs: Pre-K 3 through 8th grade
- Specials: Computer Science, Music, Library/Art, Physical Education
- Celebrated 100-year anniversary April 18, 2026
Locations, Directions & Contact
The partnership parishes operate from four physical locations along the west side of Belleville: Blessed Sacrament Church & Parish Office and Blessed Sacrament Catholic School on W. Main Street, and Our Lady Queen of Peace Church and School on N. Belt West. Driving directions are available from each location page on bellevillecatholic.com.
- Blessed Sacrament Church & Parish Office: 8707 W. Main Street, Belleville, IL 62223 — (618) 397-2287
- Blessed Sacrament Catholic School: 8809 W. Main Street, Belleville, IL 62223 — (618) 397-1111
- Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church: 5923 N. Belt West, Belleville, IL 62223 — (618) 397-2287
- Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic School: 5915 N. Belt West, Belleville, IL 62223 — (618) 234-1206
- Parish Fax: (618) 397-2269
Diocese of Belleville
Blessed Sacrament is part of the Diocese of Belleville, a Latin-rite diocese in southern Illinois headed by Very Rev. Godfrey Mullen as Diocesan Administrator. The parish is listed in the diocese's official directory along with its partnership parish, school, staff, and Mass schedule.
- Diocese: Diocese of Belleville, Illinois
- Diocesan Administrator: Very Rev. Godfrey Mullen
- Diocese directory listing: diobelle.org/directory/parishes/blessed-sacrament-belleville
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph M. Mueller1926–1930
First pastor of the parish
- Msgr. Louis Ell1930–1971
Long-serving pastor under whose leadership the present church was dedicated in 1953