About Epiphany · Normal, Illinois
Epiphany Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish serving the Bloomington/Normal area of central Illinois, in the Diocese of Peoria. Founded in 1966, it has grown from roughly 400 founding families to more than 1,400 families today, and operates the parish's own Epiphany Catholic School (PreK-8). The parish's vision is 'to offer everyone in our community a life-changing encounter with Jesus,' and it welcomes all people regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey. It is led by Pastor Fr. David P. Richardson (who also serves as Episcopal Vicar for the diocese), Parochial Vicar Fr. Nicholas Conner, and Deacons Michael Winger and Mark Cleary III.
- Established
- 1966
- Patron
- The Epiphany of the Lord
- Rector
- Fr. David P. Richardson
- Diocese
- Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
Epiphany is a large, multi-generational parish (over 1,400 families) that still feels like a community of neighbors in the Bloomington/Normal area. Daily and weekend Masses, daily Reconciliation, perpetual adoration in the St. John Paul II Chapel, a thriving PreK-8 Catholic school that earned a U.S. Blue Ribbon in 2011, and a full OCIA/RCIA process for adults make it a place where newcomers, lifelong Catholics, and seekers alike can find a home. Its vision is simply 'to offer everyone in our community a life-changing encounter with Jesus,' and the parish explicitly welcomes people at every stage of their spiritual journey.
Mass times at Epiphany
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday-Friday: 7:30 am
- Saturday: 7:00 am and 3:00 pm
- Sunday: 7:00 am, 8:30 am, and 10:30 am
Adoration times
- Perpetual adoration, 7 days x 24 hours, in the St. John Paul II Chapel
Parish History
Prior to 1966, Normal did not have a Catholic parish. On June 8 of that year, Bishop John Franz announced the establishment of Epiphany Catholic Church. A building fund campaign two years earlier funded the construction of an eight-classroom school, rectory, and convent on what had been farm property purchased by the Diocese of Peoria. Father John King, assistant pastor at Holy Trinity Parish in Bloomington, was named pastor. Four Franciscan Sisters from Peoria, along with two lay teachers, staffed the school. Masses were held in the school cafeteria until the church was dedicated on March 27, 1973.
- Established: June 8, 1966 by Bishop John Franz, Diocese of Peoria
- Founding pastor: Fr. John J. King (1966-1995), later pastor emeritus; Normal 'Citizen of the Year' 1995
- 2nd pastor: Msgr. Thomas Maloney (1995-2002)
- 3rd pastor: Msgr. Eric Powell (2002-onward); oversaw 2009-2010 renovation, reopened July 10, 2010
- Current pastor: Fr. David P. Richardson
- Growth: from ~400 founding families to over 1,400 today
Buildings & Campus Growth
The parish campus has expanded several times. In 1997 a school addition added four classrooms, a library/computer lab, and a parish multi-purpose room. In 2000 the Lyceum was built, providing a gymnasium and six junior-high classrooms. From 2005, the Long-Range Planning Committee shaped a major church renovation; after a capital campaign, construction began after Easter 2009 and the renewed church opened on July 10, 2010, with Masses having temporarily returned to the school cafeteria and Lyceum.
- Church dedicated: March 27, 1973
- School addition: 1997 (4 classrooms, library/computer lab, multi-purpose room)
- Lyceum built: 2000 (gymnasium + 6 junior high classrooms)
- Church renovation and reopening: July 10, 2010
Parish Staff & Leadership
Epiphany is led by a parish leadership team headed by Fr. David Richardson (Pastor and Episcopal Vicar for the Diocese of Peoria) and Fr. Nicholas Conner (Parochial Vicar), with two permanent deacons — Deacon Michael Winger and Deacon Mark Cleary III. Lay staff include a pastoral assistant, business manager, communications/bulletin director, CCD coordinator, adult faith formation coordinator, office assistant, ministries scheduler, and a finance council.
- Pastor: Fr. David P. Richardson (also Episcopal Vicar)
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Nicholas Conner
- Deacon Michael Winger
- Deacon Mark Cleary III
- Pastoral Assistant: Sharon Sweeney
- Business Manager: Angie O'Connor
- CCD Coordinator: Aggie Hatch
- Adult Faith Formation / Evangelization: Stephanie Demboski
- Communications / Bulletin Editor: Theresa Quarton
- Office Assistant: Joyce Tellman
- Ministries Scheduler: Joe Morrow
- Trustees and Finance Council
Epiphany Catholic School
Epiphany Catholic School is the parish's own PreK-8 school, located on the same campus at 1002 E. College Avenue. It was named a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2011 and educates children from age three through eighth grade, with about 332 students currently enrolled. The campus includes three buildings: the Elementary Building (K-5 classrooms, offices, small gym, and a Fine Arts wing), the Lyceum (grades 6-8 and the main gymnasium), and the Kathryn Marie Albee Early Learning Center for preschool, housed in the left wing of the renovated church.
- Grades: PreK-8 (age 3 through 8th grade)
- Principal: Mrs. Sally Kelly
- Enrollment (2024-2025): ~332 students
- U.S. Blue Ribbon School of Excellence: 2011
- Athletics include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, flag football, soccer, track and field, and volleyball
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Adult faith formation at Epiphany is centered on OCIA — the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly called RCIA) — which welcomes non-Catholics, unconfirmed Catholics, and anyone wanting to learn more about the Catholic faith. The process follows the ancient practice of the Church restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist, and includes study, prayer, and rites at Mass. The parish also runs a CCD (religious education) program for children, coordinated by Aggie Hatch, and an Adult Faith Formation and Evangelization ministry led by Stephanie Demboski.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — for catechumens and candidates
- CCD — religious education for parish children
- Adult Faith Formation and Evangelization
- Contact: parish office or Adult Faith Coordinator Stephanie Demboski
Visit, Location & Contact
Epiphany Catholic Church is located at 1000 East College Avenue in Normal, Illinois, just minutes from Illinois State University and the heart of the Bloomington/Normal metro. The parish office can be reached at (309) 452-2585, and the school office at (309) 452-3268. Sunday Mass at 7:30 am is livestreamed on YouTube for those unable to attend in person, and the parish publishes a weekly bulletin, a monthly newsletter, and Flocknote email updates.
- Address: 1000 E. College Avenue, Normal, IL 61761
- Parish phone: (309) 452-2585
- School address: 1002 E. College Avenue, Normal, IL 61761
- School phone: (309) 452-3268
- Sunday 7:30 am Mass livestreamed on YouTube
- Diocese: Diocese of Peoria (Bloomington-Lincoln Vicariate)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John J. King1966-1995
Founding pastor; assistant pastor at Holy Trinity, Bloomington, before being named to build the new parish; led Epiphany for 29 years; named Citizen of the Year by the city of Normal in 1995 and given pastor emeritus status. Memorial Mass offered at Epiphany after his death in 2015.
- Rev. Thomas Maloney (later Monsignor)1995-2002
Former Epiphany assistant pastor; named second pastor by Bishop John Myers in 1995; retired in 2002.
- Monsignor Eric Powell2002-c.2020s
Named third pastor in 2002; oversaw the 2009-2010 church renovation and reopening (July 10, 2010).
- Fr. David P. Richardson
Current pastor; also serves as Episcopal Vicar for the Diocese of Peoria.