About Holy Infant · Ballwin, Missouri
Holy Infant Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Ballwin, Missouri, in the western suburbs of St. Louis. Founded in 1954, the parish community is dedicated to spreading the Word of Christ through worship, formation, service, and Christ-like activity. The parish operates Holy Infant Elementary School (Pre-K through 8th grade), runs an active PSR (Parish School of Religion) program, maintains perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in its chapel, and supports a robust youth ministry (Life Teen / EDGE). It belongs to the Archdiocese of St. Louis and is pastored today by Fr. Ed Stanger along with two associate priests and several deacons.
- Established
- 1954
- Patron
- The Holy Infant Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Edward "Ed" Stanger
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
Holy Infant offers a full parish life rooted in the Archdiocese of St. Louis: weekday and weekend Masses (including a livestream), perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in its chapel, weekly Reconciliation on Wednesday mornings and Thursday evenings, an elementary school with more than 480 students taught in part by religious sisters, and a Parish School of Religion that prepares children for the sacraments. Active parish ministries span a Life Teen / EDGE youth ministry, OCIA (RCIA) for adults, music ministry, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Holy Infant Seniors, and a long list of small-group and service ministries listed on the parish website — making it easy for new parishioners to find community, formation, and service.
Mass times at Holy Infant
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Thursday: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- By appointment — call the Parish Office at (636) 227-7440
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the parish Adoration Chapel (parishioners commit to one weekly hour; contact Jan at (314) 856-8966 or [email protected])
History of Holy Infant Parish
Holy Infant was founded in May 1954 when Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter sent Father Robert J. Schwegel to scout the growing suburb of Ballwin. A little over a year later, groundbreaking took place on six acres at the corner of New Ballwin Road and Dennison Drive, the parish's present campus. The infant-Jesus patron and the young families of the post-war suburb shaped the parish from the start: the founders built the elementary school before building a permanent church. The school opened in 1956 and the Sisters of Mercy from Drogheda, Ireland arrived in 1957. Subsequent pastors — Callahan, Schilly, Buchheit, Dempsey and beyond — expanded the campus, including the present church dedicated in 1989 by Archbishop May, and continued to grow the school and religious-education programs.
- 1954 — Parish founded by Fr. Robert J. Schwegel under Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter
- 1956 — Holy Infant School opens (275 students, K–8)
- 1957 — Four Sisters of Mercy arrive from Drogheda, Ireland (Aug 23)
- 1959 — New convent built under Fr. Jeremiah L. Callahan
- 1962 — Eight new classrooms added
- 1963 — St. Clare parish carved off; Holy Infant carries debt
- 1967 — Fr. Adolph M. Schilly becomes third pastor (St. Patrick's Day)
- 1984 — New connecting building between classroom wings opens (January)
- 1987 — Construction begins on new church, parish center and auditorium
- 1989 — Archbishop May dedicates the new church (November)
- 1990 — Fr. Jerome Buchheit named Monsignor by Pope John Paul II (October)
Pastoral Staff and Clergy
Holy Infant is led by Pastor Fr. Ed Stanger, with Msgr. Mike Dieckmann as Senior Associate Pastor and Fr. Jeff Fennewald as Associate Pastor. Five deacons — Dan Henke, Steven Callen, Dave Straub, Ken Clemens, and (retired) Jim Powers — assist with liturgy and parish life. The parish also draws on retired clergy including Deacon Jim Dunne. The parish office staff and faith-formation office work alongside them.
- Fr. Ed Stanger — Pastor, ext. 102
- Msgr. Mike Dieckmann — Senior Associate Pastor, ext. 103
- Fr. Jeff Fennewald — Associate Pastor, ext. 104
- Deacons: Dan Henke, Steven Callen, Dave Straub, Ken Clemens, Jim Powers (Retired)
Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation
The Office of Faith Formation, directed by Meghan Redd (Director of Religious Education), coordinates sacramental preparation for parish children attending both Holy Infant School and the Parish School of Religion. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are typically prepared in 2nd grade; Confirmation follows later. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults — formerly RCIA) meets Wednesday evenings 7:00–9:00 PM in Rosario Hall, walking unbaptized adults, baptized Christians seeking full communion, and uncatechized Catholics through the catechumenate toward Easter sacraments.
- PSR (Parish School of Religion) — Mondays 4:30 PM, grades K–8
- OCIA — Wednesdays 7:00–9:00 PM, Rosario Hall — contact Laura Marlo (636) 346-7983
- First Reconciliation preparation — 2nd grade
- First Eucharist preparation — 2nd grade
- Confirmation preparation — school-age program
- Scholarships and payment plans available for PSR tuition
Holy Infant School
Holy Infant Catholic School has been on the parish campus since September 4, 1956, when it opened with 275 children in eight classrooms. Originally staffed and led by Sisters of Mercy from Drogheda, Ireland, the school now educates roughly 485 students in Pre-K through 8th grade (NCES 2023–24) with a student–teacher ratio of about 16:1, and is affiliated with the National Catholic Educational Association. The current principal is Mrs. Becky McQuaide ([email protected], (636) 227-0802). The physical plant sits at 248 New Ballwin Road, and includes a Junior High Wing created from the former church building during later renovations.
- School opened September 4, 1956 — 275 students, K–8
- Sisters of Mercy from Drogheda, Ireland welcomed August 23, 1957
- Current Principal: Mrs. Becky McQuaide — (636) 227-0802
- Grades Pre-K through 8; ~485 students; 16:1 student–teacher ratio
- Affiliated with the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)
Youth Ministry: Life Teen and EDGE
Holy Infant Youth Ministry exists 'to provide experiences, relationships, and opportunities for the youth of our parish to encounter Christ.' It uses the Life Teen program for high schoolers and the EDGE program for middle schoolers, supported by a Core Team of adult leaders. The current youth minister is Dan Angel; he can be reached at the parish office (ext. 128) or [email protected]. The parish also points teens and families to the archdiocesan youth-ministry hub at stlyouth.org.
- Life Teen — high school
- EDGE — middle school
- Core Team (adult leaders)
- Generation Life and Luke 18 programs
- Youth Ministry Office — Dan Angel, ext. 128
Parish Ministries, Outreach, and Service
An alphabetical listing of parish ministries is published on the Holy Infant website, inviting parishioners to find a way to serve. Major outreaches include the St. Vincent de Paul conference, Parish & Community Assistance, and Knights of Columbus. The parish also hosts a Holy Infant Seniors ministry and a robust Music Ministry that supports both weekend liturgies and special celebrations.
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Parish & Community Assistance
- Knights of Columbus
- Music Ministry
- Holy Infant Seniors
- Alphabetical listing of all parish ministries on the parish website
Visit, Register, and Contact
Newcomers are welcomed to register as parishioners through the Registration Form on the parish website (a printable PDF is available). The Parish Office, located at 627 Dennison Drive, Ballwin, MO 63021, is open Monday–Friday from 8:00 AM to noon and 1:00–4:00 PM, and can be reached at (636) 227-7440 (fax (636) 227-4548) or [email protected]. The parish sits off New Ballwin Road on the corner of Dennison Drive and Nancy Place, half a mile from the intersection of Manchester Road and New Ballwin Road.
- Address: 627 Dennison Drive, Ballwin, MO 63021
- Phone: (636) 227-7440 — Fax: (636) 227-4548
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–noon and 1:00–4:00 PM
- On the corner of Dennison Drive and Nancy Place, off New Ballwin Road
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Robert J. Schwegel1954–1967 (approx.)
Founding pastor; recruited first Sisters of Mercy from Drogheda, Ireland in 1957.
- Rev. Jeremiah L. Callahan
Second pastor; oversaw building of new convent (1959) and eight new classrooms (1962).
- Rev. Adolph M. Schilly1967–c.1984
Third pastor; became pastor on St. Patrick's Day 1967; opened new classroom connecting building in January 1984.
- Rev. Jerome Buchheitc.1984–
Fourth pastor; oversaw construction of new church (dedicated Nov 1989 by Archbishop May), parish center and auditorium; named Monsignor by Pope John Paul II in October 1990.
- Msgr. Thomas Dempsey
Subsequent pastor referenced in the school's history; oversaw further building/renovation projects.