About Holy Rosary · Warrenton, Missouri
Holy Rosary Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Warrenton, Missouri, part of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Founded in 1865, it marked its 150th anniversary in 2015 and serves the Catholics of Warrenton and the surrounding Warren County area from its present church building constructed in 1965. The parish mission is 'Authentically Catholic disciples sharing Jesus' love, with Mary as our model,' reflecting both its Marian patron and its strong tradition of Marian devotion, including student-led rosaries, parish rosaries, and Pro-Life Rosary prayer gatherings. Holy Rosary offers Mass in both English and Spanish, runs a parish school serving kindergarten through eighth grade, and supports an active slate of parish ministries including the Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, women's and men's fellowship groups, quilting, and faith formation programs.
- Established
- 1865
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (under the title of the Holy Rosary)
- Rector
- Rev. Edward (Eddie) Godefroid
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis (Metropolitan Archdiocese of Saint Louis)
Why belong here
Holy Rosary offers a small, close-knit Catholic community where generations of Warren County families worship side-by-side, alongside newcomers and a growing Spanish-speaking community. The parish pairs rich devotional life — daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, the Legion of Mary, Pro-Life Rosary, and a monthly Family Adoration Hour — with active fellowship and service through the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, women's and men's groups, quilting, and faith formation for children and adults. With its own parish school (K–8), weekly confession times, and a Sunday Spanish Mass, it is a welcoming place to grow as 'authentically Catholic disciples sharing Jesus' love, with Mary as our model.'
Mass times at Holy Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 7:15 AM – 7:45 AM
- Thursday: 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM (also before the Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses)
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 8:45 AM through Wednesday 7:30 AM (overnight adoration)
- Second Sunday of each month: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Family Adoration Hour)
- The Blessed Sacrament Chapel is also available whenever the church is not open; the door code is available by calling the Parish Office at 636-456-3698.
Welcome & Parish Mission
Holy Rosary Parish welcomes visitors and parishioners with a clear mission rooted in discipleship and Marian devotion. As stated on the parish website: 'Our mission here at Holy Rosary is to be, Authentically Catholic disciples sharing Jesus' love, with Mary as our model.' Father Eddie Godefroid, the current pastor, introduces himself as parochial administrator and invites visitors to explore the website as a doorway into the parish's life and ministries. The parish frames itself as a community called to be 'missionary disciples' carrying out the Lord's great commission in Warrenton and Warren County.
- Mission: 'Authentically Catholic disciples sharing Jesus' love, with Mary as our model.'
- Pastor: Father Eddie Godefroid
- Parochial administrator introduction with contact email [email protected]
Parish History
Holy Rosary was founded in 1865 in the Warrenton/Truesdale area of Warren County, Missouri. The first church building was completed in 1868 on property in Truesdale (now the site of the city hall); subsequent church buildings were built in 1882 and 1920, both on the southeast corner of Pinckney and South streets. The parish twice purchased property from Central Wesleyan College. The present church — the fourth building to serve the parish — was constructed in 1965 off Highway M. In August 2015 the parish joyfully marked its 150th anniversary with Archbishop Robert Carlson celebrating the vigil Mass, followed by a Sunday barbecue and family festivities attended by hundreds. Parishioner John Deutsch spent a year compiling the parish's archives with plans to publish a history book.
- Founded 1865
- First church completed 1868 in Truesdale
- Churches built in 1882 and 1920 (Pinckney & South streets, Truesdale)
- Present church built 1965 on E. Booneslick Road
- 150th anniversary celebrated August 29–30, 2015 with Archbishop Robert Carlson
Holy Rosary School
Holy Rosary School is the parish's Catholic elementary school, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The school originally opened on September 8, 1952, in the building formerly known as the east cottage of the Wesleyan Orphan Asylum, and relocated to its present facility in 1985. A 2002 addition added a gymnasium, library, classroom, and computer lab. The school's mission is to provide 'a strong academic education in a Catholic, Christian environment that meets their individual needs and talents, challenging them so that they develop to their full potential.' The school is also known for its student-led Monday morning Rosary — a tradition begun when then-pastor Father Tom Vordtriede arrived in October 2020 — and an annual all-day Rosary celebration for the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7. Principal Mary Wooley leads the school, with Jennifer Smith as school secretary.
- K–8 Catholic elementary school
- Opened September 8, 1952 in the former Wesleyan Orphan Asylum east cottage
- Relocated to current building in 1985; 2002 gym/library/classroom addition
- Student-led Rosary tradition on Monday mornings
- Annual all-day Rosary for the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7)
- Principal: Mary Wooley ([email protected])
Marian Devotions & Prayer Groups
True to its name and mission, Holy Rosary nurtures a robust Marian and devotional life. A Parish Rosary is prayed before the Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses; the Monday Morning Rosary resumes each fall; and a Pro-Life Rosary is prayed on the first Sunday after the 10:00 AM Mass. Mother of Perpetual Help Devotions, the Legion of Mary (Thursdays at 3:00 PM in the Parish Hall), and the Mother of Divine Mercy Prayer Group (Wednesdays after Mass) round out the devotional rhythm of the parish.
- Parish Rosary before Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses
- Monday Morning Rosary
- Pro-Life Rosary — first Sunday after 10:00 AM Mass
- Mother of Perpetual Help Devotions
- Legion of Mary — Thursdays at 3:00 PM, Parish Hall
- Mother of Divine Mercy Prayer Group — Wednesdays after Mass
Faith Formation & Youth
Faith formation at Holy Rosary extends from early childhood through adulthood. The Parish School of Religion (PSR), coordinated by Kaitlyn Miller, provides religious education for school-age children; Holy Rosary School provides an integrated academic-and-faith education for K–8 students. Holy Rosary Youth Ministry, led by Raeann Ebbesmeyer, engages middle and high school youth. Adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church join the RCIA process, which meets on Thursdays at 7:00 PM in the School Library.
- PSR (Parish School of Religion) — Kaitlyn Miller, Coordinator
- Holy Rosary Youth Ministry — Raeann Ebbesmeyer
- RCIA — Thursdays at 7:00 PM in the School Library
- Holy Rosary School (K–8) — Mary Wooley, Principal
Parish Ministries, Fellowship & Outreach
Beyond the sanctuary, Holy Rosary sustains an unusually rich network of parish groups that foster fellowship, service, and craft. The Knights of Columbus represent the parish in works of charity and Catholic fraternity; the St. Vincent de Paul Society ministers to those in need. Men's and Women's Fellowships meet on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays in the School Library. A community Quilting Ministry gathers in the School Cafeteria on Tuesdays and Thursdays; a BUNCO social group meets the third Wednesday of the month. The Mother of Divine Mercy Prayer Group and the Divine Mercy Prayer Group both meet weekly after weekday Mass.
- Knights of Columbus
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Men's Fellowship — 2nd & 4th Saturday, 7:00–8:30 AM, School Library
- Women's Fellowship — 2nd & 4th Saturday, 9:00–10:30 AM, School Library
- Quilting Ministry — Tue 8:30 AM–3:00 PM & Thu 6:00–9:00 PM, School Cafeteria
- BUNCO Group — third Wednesday, 6:30 PM
- Mother of Divine Mercy Prayer Group — Wednesdays after Mass
Parish Staff & Clergy
Holy Rosary is served by a small but dedicated staff. Father Edward 'Eddie' Godefroid is the pastor (parochial administrator), joined by Father Clark Maes as Senior Associate Pastor / In Residence. Permanent Deacons Mark Schmierbach and Ray Burle assist with liturgical and pastoral ministry. Debbie Brown serves as the parish Administrative Assistant ([email protected]); Diane Grimes is the Finance Coordinator; Jean Hayden is the Bulletin Coordinator. Mary Wooley is the school principal, and Kaitlyn Miller coordinates PSR while Raeann Ebbesmeyer directs Youth Ministry.
- Rev. Edward (Eddie) Godefroid — Pastor / Parochial Administrator
- Rev. Clark Maes — Senior Associate Pastor / In Residence
- Deacon Mark Schmierbach — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Ray Burle — Permanent Deacon
- Debbie Brown — Administrative Assistant ([email protected])
- Diane Grimes — Finance Coordinator
- Jean Hayden — Bulletin Coordinator
- Mary Wooley — School Principal
- Kaitlyn Miller — PSR Coordinator
- Raeann Ebbesmeyer — Youth Minister
Visit, Register & Support
Newcomers are warmly welcomed at Holy Rosary. Visitors and new parishioners are invited to register by calling the Parish Office at (636) 456-3698 or by submitting a registration form (available on the parish website) to the office. Online Giving is available through the parish website for regular tithing and special collections. The parish also publishes a weekly bulletin with announcements, ministry schedules, and financial updates for parishioners.
- Address: 724 E. Booneslick Road, Warrenton, MO 63383
- Phone: (636) 456-3698
- Online Giving via www.holyrosarywm.com
- New parishioner registration: call the Parish Office or submit a form online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John Mayoassigned 2014
Serving at the parish in 2014–2015; spoke at the 150th anniversary celebration in August 2015 about the parish's 'great community spirit' and multigenerational families.
- Father Tom Vordtriedearrived October 2020
Pastor whose Monday day off gave rise to the school tradition of a student-led Monday Rosary in place of morning Mass; he celebrated the school's Friday morning Mass.
- Rev. Edward (Eddie) Godefroidcurrent (as of latest bulletin/website)
Current pastor; introduced on the website as 'parochial administrator' welcoming visitors to the parish.