About Corpus Christi · Shiloh, Illinois
Corpus Christi Catholic Church is a small, historic parish in Shiloh, Illinois, established in 1913 and now part of the Diocese of Belleville. The community worships at 205 Rasp Street and is currently partnered with St. Joseph Parish in Lebanon, with the two sharing weekend and weekday Mass schedules. The parish describes itself as a Eucharistic community 'bound together by our faith in Jesus Christ called to evangelize all ages, especially our youth and called to the healing ministry of service to the poor and marginalized.'
- Established
- 1913
- Patron
- Corpus Christi (the Body of Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Wienhoff, JCL
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville
Why belong here
Corpus Christi offers a close-knit, multigenerational Catholic community in Shiloh where families can grow in faith together — from its PSR (Parish School of Religion) program and youth ministry, to its Catholic school partnership with St. Clare Grade School in O'Fallon. The parish lives out a mission of evangelization and service to the poor and marginalized, while simple devotions like monthly First Thursday Adoration, monthly Rosary, and regular Reconciliation keep prayer at the center. With a pastor and staff who know their people, it's the kind of parish where newcomers can quickly build real relationships.
Mass times at Corpus Christi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–4:00 PM (Corpus Christi, prior to the 4:30 PM Saturday Vigil Mass)
- 4th Monday of the month 6:00–7:00 PM (St. Joseph, Lebanon — partnered)
Adoration times
- First Thursday of the month 7:00 PM (Corpus Christi)
Parish History
Corpus Christi was organized in January 1913 when Father John Grootens, assistant at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville, recognized that Shiloh's coal miners had no practical way to get to Mass. With Bishop Janssen's blessing he raised money, bought land from the Rasp family, and built the first church — dedicated July 30, 1913. The parish grew from 34 founding families to 365 households over the following century, weathering debt (paid down in part by chicken farming), building a rectory in 1974 and a parish center in 1992, and finally moving into a new, 400-seat church in September 2011. The original sanctuary now lives on as Grootens Hall in honor of the founding pastor.
- Founded January 1913; church dedicated July 30, 1913
- Original 34 families grew to 365 households
- Rectory built 1974; parish center built 1992
- New church opened September 2011 (seats 400+)
- Old church rededicated as Grootens Hall in 2012
Founding Pastor & the Rasp Family Land
Father John Grootens built Corpus Christi on two lots purchased from Lizzie Rasp for $160 — the ground the church still stands on — plus four lots across the street from Joseph Rasp for $425, which is today's parish center and parking lot. The parish name itself came as a condition of a $500 Extension Society grant 'in honor of the Blessed Sacrament.' Even the original pews were salvaged from the Cathedral after its 1912 fire. The first baptism, wedding, and Confirmation all took place in 1914–1915 under Bishop Henry Althoff.
Grootens Hall
In 2012 the original 1913 church was stripped of its pews, recarpeted, and converted into Grootens Hall, named in honor of founding pastor Rev. John Grootens. Today it houses three classrooms for the PSR (Parish School of Religion) program and serves as a meeting room for the parish Boy Scout troop and other special events.
Pastor Succession
Corpus Christi has been served by 23 priests since 1913. Most recent transitions include Msgr. James Margason (2004–2022), a brief stint by Rev. Ken York as Temporary Administrator in early 2022, and the current pastor Rev. Paul Wienhoff, JCL, who took over in July 2022. One of the early pastors — Rev. Albert Zuroweste (1931–1935) — went on to become Bishop of Belleville, serving the diocese from 1948 to 1976.
- Rev. Paul Wienhoff, JCL — current pastor (July 2022–present)
- Msgr. James Margason — 2004–2022
- Rev. Ken York — Temporary Administrator, Jan–June 2022
- Rev. Albert Zuroweste — pastor here 1931–1935, later Bishop of Belleville
Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by a small, tight-knit staff: Fr. Paul Wienhoff as pastor, Dr. Andrew Cowell as Music Director, Ellen Vernier as Secretary, and Michele Stroot as Director of Religious Education and Youth Minister. The pastor can be reached directly at 618-632-5631; the parish office line is 618-632-7614.
- Rev. Paul Wienhoff, JCL — Pastor (618-632-5631)
- Dr. Andrew Cowell — Music Director
- Ellen Vernier — Secretary (618-632-7614)
- Michele Stroot — Director of Religious Education & Youth Minister
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Religious education for parish children runs through the Parish School of Religion (PSR), whose three classrooms are housed in Grootens Hall. Michele Stroot serves as both Director of Religious Education and Youth Minister, giving the parish a unified vision for forming young Catholics from grade school through the teen years. The parish is also affiliated with St. Clare Grade School in O'Fallon (214 West Third Street) for families seeking a Catholic school education.
- PSR — Parish School of Religion (classrooms in Grootens Hall)
- Youth Ministry — led by Michele Stroot
- Partner school — St. Clare Grade School, O'Fallon
Music & Liturgy
Music Ministry at Corpus Christi is directed by Dr. Andrew Cowell. Holy Communion at Mass is offered under both species — parishioners may choose whether to receive from the cup. The Sunday 9:00 AM Mass is live-streamed on the parish website and the recording remains available to view for 48 hours.
- Music Director: Dr. Andrew Cowell
- Holy Communion under both species at Mass
- Sunday 9:00 AM Mass live-streamed; recording available 48 hours
Parish Mission & Outreach
The parish describes itself as 'a Eucharistic community bound together by our faith in Jesus Christ, called to evangelize all ages, especially our youth and called to the healing ministry of service to the poor and marginalized,' and 'a voice of hope by serving with humility, mercy and faithfulness.' In practical terms, that mission plays out through parish ministries, youth evangelization, and ongoing service outreach.
- Evangelization of all ages, with priority on youth
- Service to the poor and marginalized
- Witnessing hope with humility, mercy and faithfulness
Visiting, Contact & Office Hours
The parish office at 205 Rasp Street, Shiloh, IL 62269 is open Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Phone: 618-632-7614 (fax 618-632-5371). Email: [email protected]. The pastor can be reached at 618-632-5631. Parking is available in the parish lot across the street (the same land purchased in 1913).
- Office: 205 Rasp Street, Shiloh, IL 62269
- Phone: 618-632-7614 | Fax: 618-632-5371
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor direct line: 618-632-5631
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8–4, Fri 8–12
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Grootens1913–1914
Founding pastor; organized the parish and built the first church
- Rev. Joseph Reinhardt1914–1915
- Rev. Cyril Haffner1915–1922
- Rev. Emil Chuse1922–1924
- Rev. Anthony Kiefer1924
- Rev. John Wiemar1924–1925
- Rev. Louis Tuger1925–1931
- Rev. Albert Zuroweste1931–1935
Later became Bishop of Belleville (1948–1976)
- Rev. Francis Beykirch1935–1943
- Rev. Robert Hutsch1943–1946
- Rev. James McCormick1946–1956
- Rev. Arthur Niemeyer1956–1966
- Rev. Albert Jerome1966–1972
- Rev. Ted Baumann1972–1973
- Rev. J. Ralph Arnold1973–1984
- Msgr. Charles Nebel1984–1988
- Rev. Gerald Miriani1988–1998
- Rev. Steve Witte1998–1999
- Msgr. Carl Scherrer1999–2003
- Msgr. Matthias Nyakatura2003–2004
- Msgr. James Margason2004–2022
- Rev. Ken YorkJanuary 2022–June 2022
Temporary Administrator
- Rev. Paul WienhoffJuly 2022–present
Current pastor; partnered with St. Joseph, Lebanon