About Blessed Sacrament · Quincy, Illinois
Blessed Sacrament Parish is a Catholic parish serving Quincy, Illinois, located at the corner of Seventh and Adams Streets. Part of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, the parish was established in 1867 with its first Mass on December 8 (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception) and was significantly reshaped in 2006 when St. Mary, St. Boniface, and All Saints parishes merged into the present community. The parish offers daily and Sunday Masses (including a weekly Mass in Spanish), Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, a Catholic school (PreK–8), faith formation for youth and adults, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), a Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference, Vacation Bible School, and a vibrant music ministry — all under the pastoral leadership of Father Tom Meyer.
- Established
- 1867
- Patron
- The Blessed Sacrament
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas C. (Tom) Meyer
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Why belong here
Blessed Sacrament welcomes newcomers and returning Catholics into a multi-cultural community shaped by the 2006 merger of three historic Quincy parishes (St. Mary, St. Boniface, and All Saints). The parish offers the full sacramental life — daily Mass, a Sunday Mass in Spanish, Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday, Reconciliation before weekend Masses, and Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick preparation — alongside a parish school (PreK–8), Youth Faith Formation, OCIA for adults and children, Vacation Bible School, Bible Study, Legion of Mary, the Quincy SPIRIT program for special-needs adults, and a Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference. Its mission statement — 'Forming disciples through prayer, liturgy, Word of God and service' — is lived out through active stewardship, parish events like the Annual Christmas Bazaar, and a Summer Lunch Program.
Mass times at Blessed Sacrament
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
- Saturday (1st Saturday): 7:30 am – 8:30 am
- Saturday: 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Evening Prayer / Benediction: Wednesday 5:00 – 5:20 pm
Welcome and Parish Identity
Blessed Sacrament Parish extends a warm welcome to all who come to its historic home at Seventh and Adams Streets in Quincy. The current parish community was formed in 2006 by merging three historic Catholic parishes — St. Mary (Immaculate Conception), St. Boniface, and All Saints (formerly St. John) — bringing together distinct ethnic and devotional traditions of Quincy's Catholic community. Its mission is captured in the bulletin line: 'Forming disciples through prayer, liturgy, Word of God and service.' Father Tom Meyer, Pastor, invites visitors and newcomers to introduce themselves and join the parish family.
- Address: 1119 South Seventh Street, Quincy, IL 62301
- Corner of Seventh and Adams Streets
- Mission: 'Forming disciples through prayer, liturgy, Word of God and service.'
- Pastor: Rev. Thomas C. Meyer
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Msgr. Michael Kuse
Parish History
Blessed Sacrament's story begins on December 8, 1867, with the first Mass of the original parish celebrated on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. A parish school had actually started two years earlier to serve children too far from St. Boniface's school. The original church was destroyed by fire in 1891 and rebuilt by 1892. Over the following century, a Catholic school building was constructed in 1923–1924, and Quincy's Catholic parishes grew to serve the city's German and other immigrant communities. In 2006, the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois merged St. Mary, St. Boniface, and All Saints (formerly St. John) into the present Blessed Sacrament Parish, with worship centered at the former St. Mary church. Father Tom Meyer was installed as pastor on July 28, 2020.
- 1867: Parish established; first Mass on December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)
- 1865: Parish school first organized to serve children distant from St. Boniface's school
- 1891: Original church destroyed by fire
- 1892: New church built
- 1893: Convent built, half used as a school
- 1923–1924: St. Mary's School building erected
- 2006: Merger of St. Mary, St. Boniface, and All Saints (formerly St. John) parishes into Blessed Sacrament
- July 28, 2020: Installation of Father Tom Meyer as pastor by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki
Mass, Sacraments, and Devotions
Blessed Sacrament offers a full daily and weekly liturgical schedule, including a Sunday Mass in Spanish and a rotating Mass at Sunset Home. Eucharistic Adoration is held every Wednesday morning through early evening, followed by Evening Prayer and Benediction. Reconciliation is offered three times each week. First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation are prepared through the parish school, faith formation program, or OCIA process.
- Daily Mass: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri at 8:00 am
- Wednesday: 8:15 am and 5:30 pm Mass; Adoration 8:30 am – 5:00 pm; Reconciliation 4:30 – 5:00 pm; Evening Prayer & Benediction 5:00 – 5:20 pm
- Thursday: 8:15 am Mass during school year; 3:00 pm Mass at Sunset Home
- Saturday: 4:30 pm Vigil Mass; 3:30 – 4:15 pm Reconciliation
- First Saturday: 8:30 am Mass; 7:30 – 8:30 am Reconciliation
- Sunday: 8:00 am, 10:00 am (English); 11:30 am (Spanish)
- Legion of Mary: Monday/Tuesday 1:15 – 3:00 pm
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation for school-age children and youth (PreK–8) and an OCIA process for adults and older children accompany the parish school. Audreana Derhake serves as Director of Faith Formation and coordinates these programs with parish volunteers.
- Youth Faith Formation (PreK–8): catechists and helpers needed
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults): weekly sessions, facilitated by a team
- OCIA Adapted for Children
- OCIA Sponsor program
- Bible Study (day and evening) in 6–8-week seasonal sessions
- Baptism Preparation sessions for parents quarterly
- Marriage Preparation and Marriage Tribunal Advocate ministry
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School (PreK–8)
The parish school, formed in 2006 from the merged parish schools, serves Preschool through 8th grade. It offers a Christ-centered academic program with Morning Ministry, weekly adoration, weekly student-led Mass, daily school-wide prayers, sacrament preparation, and a broad range of specials including STREAM, PE, library, music, art, band, and choir. Before- and after-school daycare is available.
- Principal: Lisa Berhorst
- Phone: (217) 228-1477
- Website: www.blessedscs.org
- Programs: Preschool, K–4, 5th–8th, House System, K-8 Buddy Program
- Faith life: Morning Ministry, weekly adoration, weekly student-led Mass, daily prayers
- Sacrament prep: Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation
- Specials: STREAM, PE, health, library, music, art, band, choir
- Athletics/activities: CYO and IESA sports, Art Club, Scouts, Kiwanis Builders Club
- Before School Care: 6:30 – 7:45 am ($4/child)
- After School Care: 3:00 – 5:30 pm ($4/hour/child)
Youth and Family
Beyond faith formation classes, the parish offers a Youth Group for middle schoolers, Vacation Bible School each June, and special events tied to the parish school year. Volunteers — including high school and college students — are actively recruited to help lead small groups, crafts, games, music, and food service.
- Youth Group (middle school): biweekly or monthly meetings
- Vacation Bible School: one week in June
- Youth Faith Formation volunteers
- CYO sports and IESA athletics through the school
Word of God and Adult Discipleship
Adult faith formation at Blessed Sacrament includes seasonal Bible Study groups and the OCIA process, which walks inquirers and catechumens through the rites and teachings of the Catholic Church. Trained parish sponsors accompany OCIA candidates, and teams of facilitators lead weekly sessions.
- Bible Study – Day and Evening (seasonal, 6–8 week programs)
- OCIA Team
- OCIA Sponsors
- Marriage Preparation couples
- Pam Frericks (Bible study coordinator)
- Ann Gage (OCIA Team / Bible Study)
- Deacon Terry Ellerman (OCIA Sponsor)
Outreach and Service
Outreach is at the heart of the parish's stewardship mission. The local Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference assists neighbors in need, and the parish hosts a Summer Lunch Program and Annual Christmas Bazaar. The Quincy SPIRIT program (Special People in Religious Instruction Today) reaches out to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Quincy-area parishes.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul: 217-430-3723
- Summer Lunch Program (volunteer sign-up via website)
- Annual Christmas Bazaar (volunteers needed for setup, food, and activities)
- Quincy SPIRIT (Special People in Religious Instruction Today): biweekly Tuesday evenings, Sept.–May
- Marriage Tribunal Advocate ministry
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is pastored by Rev. Thomas C. Meyer, with Rev. Msgr. Michael Kuse serving as Pastor Emeritus. Two permanent deacons and a small staff of lay ministers and office personnel support the parish and school operations.
- Rev. Thomas C. Meyer — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Msgr. Michael Kuse — Pastor Emeritus
- Deacon Terry Ellerman
- Deacon Mike Ellerman
- Audreana Derhake — Director of Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Laura Megown — Secretary ([email protected])
- Linda Ohnemus — Bookkeeping
- Dottie Buckman — IT Specialist (parish and school)
- Steve Buckman — Director of Music
- Scott Wymer — Custodian (parish)
Music and Liturgical Ministries
Music at Blessed Sacrament is coordinated by Director of Music Steve Buckman and supported by parish volunteers. School-age musicians contribute through the PMO Choir & Band and Children's Mass Choir, and a parish music ministry supports weekend and Holy Day liturgies.
- Director of Music: Steve Buckman
- Children's Mass Choir (school)
- PMO Choir & Band (school)
- Liturgical altar servers and lay liturgical ministries
Bulletin, Calendar, and Getting Involved
A weekly parish bulletin is published on the website and includes Mass intentions, ministry news, and upcoming events. The parish maintains an online calendar, online giving, and registration forms for new parishioners. Job openings and volunteer sign-ups are posted on the website.
- Weekly bulletins posted on blessedsacramentqcy.org
- Parish calendar on website
- Online giving via website
- New parishioner registration form
- Volunteer sign-ups (VBS, Summer Lunch Program, Christmas Bazaar)
- Job openings posted under 'Connect / Join'
Contact and Location
Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The parish is part of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.
- Address: 1119 South Seventh Street, Quincy, IL 62301
- Phone: (217) 222-2759
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://blessedsacramentqcy.org/
- Office hours: M–F 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Diocese: Diocese of Springfield in Illinois (dio.org)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Michael Kusethrough c. 2020
Listed as Pastor Emeritus in the Sunday Missal Service bulletin; served the parish before Father Meyer.
- Rev. Thomas C. Meyer2020–present
Born September 28, 1968; ordained June 5, 1998. Previously parochial vicar at St. Anthony of Padua (Effingham) and Our Saviour (Jacksonville), pastor at St. Mary (Edwardsville), Our Saviour (Jacksonville), and St. Alexius/St. Fidelis/St. Luke tri-parish group. Installed as pastor of Blessed Sacrament, Quincy, on July 28, 2020 by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki.