About Holy Trinity · Springfield, Missouri
Holy Trinity Catholic Church is a Catholic parish in southeast Springfield, Missouri, in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. Founded on August 17, 1966, it was established to serve the growing Catholic population on the city's south side and has grown from an initial 325 families meeting in the Elks Lodge to roughly 750–875 registered families today. The parish community worships at 2818 East Bennett Street and is known for its liturgical and devotional life, a 40-voice traditional choir and contemporary ensemble, an active Parish School of Religion, vibrant men's, women's, and youth ministries, and a strong outreach tradition through the Knights of Columbus, Parish Council of Catholic Women, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Habitat for Humanity. Since August 2025 the parish has been led by The Very Rev. Fr. Shoby M. Chettiyath, JCL, V.G., who simultaneously serves as Vicar General of the diocese.
- Established
- 1966
- Patron
- Holy Trinity (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
- Rector
- The Very Rev. Fr. Shoby M. Chettiyath, JCL, V.G.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau
Why belong here
Holy Trinity offers a deeply traditional Catholic identity combined with robust ministries for every age and stage of life — from the Parish School of Religion (K-12) and a thriving high-school youth group, to men's (Brothers of the Trinity), women's (PCCW, Moms' Group, Well-Read Mom), and adult-faith offerings like Cornerstone Catholic Scripture Study and OCIA. Parishioners worship with a 40-voice traditional choir and a contemporary ensemble, gather for annual events like the Christmas Dinner, St. Patrick's Day Dinner, Easter Brunch, and parish picnic, and reach outward through the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Habitat for Humanity, The Kitchen, and international mission partnerships. With daily Mass Monday through Saturday, Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses, and Saturday reconciliation, it is a faithful home for families in southeast Springfield.
Mass times at Holy Trinity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 – 4:30 pm
- By appointment
Parish History
Holy Trinity Parish was founded August 17, 1966, by Bishop Ignatius Strecker to serve the growing Catholic population of southeast Springfield. The first pastor, Fr. Richard Rolwing, shepherded 325 families who worshipped in the Elks Lodge until the new church was dedicated in 1969. Over six decades the parish has grown through eight pastors, multiple building campaigns, and active ministries.
- Founded August 17, 1966 — first pastor Fr. Richard Rolwing
- Cornerstone laid October 6, 1968; first Mass May 25, 1969
- Fr. Mark Ernstmann appointed second pastor in 1972
- Fr. Thomas Allen became third pastor in August 1977; gymnasium and seven classrooms dedicated by Bishop Bernard Law on May 11, 1979
- Fr. Paul McLoughlin appointed fourth pastor in 1987; mortgage paid off ahead of schedule
- Msgr. Thomas Reidy became fifth pastor in 1991; multi-phase expansion began 1994
- Bishop John Leibrecht dedicated Phase One November 3, 1996 and Phase Two September 9, 2001
- Fr. Fergus Monaghan installed as sixth pastor on August 18, 2004
- Fr. Patrick Ike Nwokoye, PhD, installed as seventh pastor in July 2019; 2024–25 church beautification
- Fr. Shoby M. Chettiyath installed as eighth pastor in August 2025
- 50th anniversary celebrated in August 2016
Clergy and Staff
Holy Trinity is currently led by The Very Rev. Fr. Shoby M. Chettiyath, JCL, V.G., who was installed as the eighth pastor in August 2025 while also serving as Vicar General of the Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau and Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Nixa. He is assisted by a Parochial Vicar, Rev. Vineesh Jose Tharayil, OSB, PhD, who also serves St. Francis of Assisi.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Shoby M. Chettiyath, JCL, V.G. ([email protected])
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Vineesh Jose Tharayil, OSB, PhD
- Office Manager: Monica Pickens
- Administrative Assistant: Julia Becker
- Finance Manager: Lisa Hall
- Coordinator of Religious Education and OCIA: Emily Knoppe
- Youth Coordinator: James Lamb
- Choir Director: Paula Ringer
- Organist: Mary Gray
- Maintenance: Travis Elston
- Custodian: Ernest Castaneda
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The Coordinator of Religious Education oversees programs for children, youth, and adults, including sacramental preparation and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). The Parish School of Religion (PSR) is a K-8 program designed to help children and youth understand not only how Catholics practice their faith but why — exploring Scripture, basic Catholic theology, and the lives of the Saints.
- Faith Formation / Parish School of Religion (K-8)
- Youth Group (Grades 9-12)
- Young Adult Faith Formation
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (registration via [email protected])
- Adult Faith Study / Small Groups (offered throughout the year)
- Cornerstone Catholic Scripture Study — Thursdays 9:00–11:00 am, Sept–April
- Family Faith Formation
- Vacation Bible School (VBS)
Adult Faith, Men's, and Women's Ministries
Beyond core formation, the parish offers several adult-faith and small-group ministries. Brothers of the Trinity is a men's ministry built on four weekly pillars — Faith Formation, Worship, Fellowship, and Service. The Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) develops spirituality, encourages fellowship, and fosters leadership among the women of the parish, hosting the annual Fall Bazaar. Other small communities include the Moms' Group, Well-Read Mom Book Club, and the Parish Meal Train.
- Brothers of the Trinity (men's ministry)
- Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) — meets third Monday of the month
- Moms' Group — Wednesdays during the school year
- Well-Read Mom Book Club — third Thursday, 7:00 pm, September–June
- Parish Meal Train — delivers meals to parishioners in need
Liturgy and Music
Liturgical life is supported by a 40-person traditional choir and a slightly smaller contemporary ensemble under the direction of Choir Director Paula Ringer and Organist Mary Gray. A Liturgy Committee coordinates the parish's liturgical celebrations. Ministry training sessions are offered periodically for lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and youth altar servers.
- Traditional Choir (~40 voices)
- Contemporary Choir/ensemble
- Choir Director: Paula Ringer
- Organist: Mary Gray
- Liturgy Committee
- Lector Ministry
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC)
- Youth Altar Servers
Service and Outreach
Holy Trinity has a long tradition of service both locally and internationally. The Healing and Comfort Ministry brings Holy Communion to parishioners who are hospitalized, homebound, or in assisted living and nursing homes. The parish participates in the Springfield Council of Churches, Habitat for Humanity, The Kitchen, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and in 2003 helped finance the construction of 60 homes in Nicaragua through the Rainbow Network.
- Healing and Comfort Ministry (weekly visits to sick/homebound)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Habitat for Humanity
- The Kitchen (community meal service)
- Springfield Council of Churches
- Rainbow Network — Nicaragua mission partnership (60 homes financed in 2003)
- Parish Meal Train
- Knights of Columbus
- Health Ministry
Parish Life and Annual Events
The parish family comes together throughout the year for shared meals and celebrations that strengthen community bonds.
- Christmas Dinner
- St. Patrick's Day Dinner
- Easter Sunday Brunch
- Parish Picnic
- PCCW Fall Bazaar
- Vacation Bible School
- Youth Group Lock-In
- 50th Anniversary celebration (August 2016)
Facilities and Recent Renovation
Since its founding on East Bennett Street in 1968–69, the parish campus has grown through several building campaigns. The 1990s and early 2000s expansions — under Msgr. Thomas Reidy — added a new chapel, library, parish offices, a multi-purpose social hall, kitchen, meeting room, an enclosed walkway between the church and parish center, additional parking, and a prayer garden with Stations of the Cross. Most recently, between 2024 and 2025, the church interior was beautified with a new altar, new tabernacle, and four new statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. Anne, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
- Original church dedicated 1969 by Bishop Ignatius Strecker
- Gymnasium/social center and seven classrooms added 1978–79; dedicated by Bishop Bernard Law, May 11, 1979
- Multi-phase expansion 1994–2001 — new chapel, library, offices, multi-purpose hall, kitchen, meeting room, restroom upgrades, additional parking
- Enclosed walkway connecting church and parish center built in 2000
- Prayer garden with Stations of the Cross
- Rectory remodeled in 2003
- 2024–25 beautification: new altar, new tabernacle, statues of Mary, St. Joseph, St. Anne, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Getting Involved
Newcomers are welcomed and invited to register with the parish office; a parish representative will follow up to help connect them with ministries, formation programs, and community life. The parish regularly publishes training sessions for liturgical ministries (lector, EMHC, altar server) and posts upcoming events on its website calendar.
- Parish registration via the parish office at (417) 883-3440 or [email protected]
- OCIA registration and sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]
- Ministry Training sessions for Lectors, EMHCs, and Youth Altar Servers
- Volunteer sign-ups announced in the parish bulletin and on social media
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Richard Rolwing1966 –
First pastor; appointed by Bishop Ignatius Strecker at the parish's founding on August 17, 1966.
- Fr. Mark Ernstmann1972 –
Second pastor; former Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools; oversaw flourishing of the Parish School of Religion.
- Fr. Thomas AllenAugust 1977 –
Third pastor; oversaw 1978 construction of parish gymnasium/social center and seven classrooms, dedicated by Bishop Bernard Law on May 11, 1979.
- Fr. Paul McLoughlin1987 –
Fourth pastor; parish generosity paid off the church mortgage and additions ahead of schedule.
- Msgr. Thomas Reidy1991 –
Fifth pastor; led a multi-phase expansion starting in 1994 — new chapel, library, parish offices, rectory, prayer garden with Stations of the Cross, buildings dedicated by Bishop John Leibrecht in 1996 and 2001.
- Fr. Fergus MonaghanAugust 18, 2004 –
Sixth pastor; led a faith community of ~875 families with a wide array of ministries.
- Fr. Patrick Ike Nwokoye, PhDJuly 2019 –
Seventh pastor; spearheaded church renovation and beautification, including new altar, tabernacle, and statues of Mary, St. Joseph, St. Anne, and the Sacred Heart (2024–25).
- The Very Rev. Fr. Shoby M. Chettiyath, JCL, V.G.August 2025 – present
Eighth pastor; simultaneously Vicar General of the Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau and Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Nixa.