About Immaculate Conception · Maplewood, Missouri
Immaculate Conception Parish was a Roman Catholic parish in Maplewood, Missouri, within the Archdiocese of St. Louis, founded in 1904 to serve the new Maplewood housing development west of the city. The parish worshipped in a 1925 Italianate church designed by Henry P. Hess and supported a Parish School of Religion (PSR) for PreK–8th grade faith formation, the Knights of Columbus and Ladies Auxiliary, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and an active men's faith group. The parish was closed effective August 1, 2023 as part of the Archdiocese of St. Louis's 'All Things New' restructuring, with its territory merged into St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Brentwood.
- Established
- 1904
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Parish closed in 2023; final pastoral leadership under the Archdiocese was Fr. James Gray (from February 2006), with parish life coordinated by Deacon John Flanigan (since April 2017). No active pastor.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception served a close-knit Catholic community in the heart of Maplewood — the only Catholic parish within the city limits. It offered a Sunday Mass schedule complemented by a Parish School of Religion for PreK–8 faith and sacrament preparation, a Knights of Columbus council and Ladies Auxiliary, a Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference, a men's faith-sharing group, hall rentals for parish events, and the warm welcome 'Everyone is Welcome! We have a seat for you!'
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 – 3:45 PM, or by appointment
History of Immaculate Conception Parish
Immaculate Conception Parish was founded in 1904 to serve the new Maplewood housing development west of St. Louis. Archbishop John J. Glennon authorized Rev. Daniel Clarke to organize the parish on February 8, 1904, with the first Mass celebrated the following March in a converted abandoned feed store at Bellevue and Manchester. A two-story brick building on Anna Avenue was completed and dedicated to Our Lady on November 26, 1905, and the parish school opened in 1906 staffed by three Sisters of Loretto with 115 students. The cornerstone for the present church was laid on August 23, 1925 under Rev. John P. Ryan, and the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette assumed pastoral responsibility on June 12, 1975, returning it to the Archdiocese in February 2006. The parish was closed as part of 'All Things New' on August 1, 2023.
- Founded: February 8, 1904 by Archbishop Glennon
- First Mass: March 1904, Bellevue and Manchester
- First church/school dedicated: November 26, 1905
- Present church cornerstone laid: August 23, 1925
- La Salette administration: 1975–2006
- Closure: August 1, 2023 (All Things New)
Buildings and Architecture
The parish campus sits on a quiet backstreet a few blocks from Manchester Road and includes the 1925 church, the 1905 brick building behind it on Anna Avenue, the 1937 convent on the corner of Marshall and Anna, a rectory with a 1951 annex, and a 1952 gym/parish hall. The 1925 church is a particularly graceful example of Italianate ecclesiastical architecture by St. Louis architect Henry P. Hess, with a freestanding campanile topped by a copper cross and terra cotta decorative detail. The buildings reflect nearly 60 years of incremental growth responding to a thriving Catholic community.
- 1925 church – Italianate style by Henry P. Hess
- 1905 two-story brick building – 7240 Anna Avenue
- 1937 convent – corner of Marshall and Anna
- 1951 rectory annex
- 1952 gym/parish hall
Faith Formation and Religious Education (PSR)
The Parish School of Religion (PSR) served children from PreK through 8th grade with religious education on Sunday mornings from 9:45–11:30 AM in the school building, September through May. The program included sacrament preparation for First Eucharist, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation. Tuition was listed at $175.00 per family plus $25.00 per child. Inquiries went through Karen Lightfoot at [email protected].
- PreK–8th grade religious education
- Sacrament prep for First Eucharist, First Reconciliation, Confirmation
- Sunday mornings 9:45–11:30 AM in the school building
Sacraments
The parish prepared parishioners for the sacraments of initiation and pastoral care. Parents were asked to call to arrange a Baptism class before the child was born. Marriage preparation required contacting the rectory at least six months before the wedding. The sick or hospitalized were visited through the Ministry of the Sick — parishioners were asked to inform the rectory of family members in need.
- Baptism (call to arrange a class before birth)
- First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation (via PSR)
- Matrimony – six months' preparation
- Ministry of the Sick (home/hospital visits)
- Reconciliation – Saturday 3:15–3:45 PM or by appointment
Parish Organizations and Outreach
Immaculate Conception was supported by several lay organizations and a strong men's spirituality group. The Knights of Columbus and the Ladies Auxiliary #903 held regular meetings, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul supported those in need, and the Parish Pastoral Council provided lay leadership for parish life. An active men's faith group met for an 8 AM Mass followed by breakfast in the IC LaSalette Room.
- Knights of Columbus
- K of C Ladies Auxiliary #903
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Men's faith-sharing group (8 AM Mass + breakfast, IC LaSalette Room)
Parish Staff and Contacts
Day-to-day parish operations were coordinated through the rectory at 2934 Marshall Avenue. Eva May handled rectory business, Karen Lightfoot coordinated PSR, and Deacon John Flanigan served as Parish Life Coordinator starting April 2017. Fr. James Gray was the diocesan priest who assumed pastoral leadership from the La Salette Fathers in February 2006. Office hours and inquiries went to [email protected] or (314) 645-3307.
- Fr. James Gray – Pastor
- Deacon John Flanigan – Parish Life Coordinator
- Eva May – Rectory/office
- Karen Lightfoot – PSR coordinator ([email protected])
- Paul Lohkamp and Al Daniels – Men's group organizers
Safe Environment and Compliance
As part of the Archdiocese of St. Louis Safe Environment Program, the parish required all adult employees and volunteers with regular contact with children or youth to complete a state criminal record and child abuse/neglect check, sign the Code of Ethical Conduct, and attend a Protecting God's Children workshop.
- State criminal record and child abuse/neglect check
- Code of Ethical Conduct acknowledgement
- Protecting God's Children workshop
Hall Rental and Facilities
The IC Parish Hall at 7240 Anna Avenue was available for rental year-round and was the site of parish meetings, the men's group breakfasts, and community events. Inquiries went through Eva May at (314) 645-3307.
- IC Parish Hall – 7240 Anna Avenue
- Year-round rental availability
- Contact: Eva May, (314) 645-3307
Closure and Legacy
Immaculate Conception was one of 35 parishes closed as part of the Archdiocese of St. Louis 'All Things New' restructuring, with parishioners like David Barks (since 1961) reflecting on baptisms, weddings, and school years in the parish. Its territory was merged into St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Brentwood, and a final Mass was celebrated in 2023 with Deacon John Flanigan and former pastor Cliff Hassler (early 1980s) present.
- Final Mass celebrated in 2023
- Territory merged into St. Mary Magdalen – Brentwood
- Deacon John Flanigan – Parish Life Coordinator during closure
- Archdiocese 'All Things New' restructuring
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Daniel Clarke1904-
Authorized by Archbishop Glennon on Feb 8, 1904 to organize the parish; celebrated the first Mass in March 1904.
- Rev. John P. Ryan1925-
Directed the construction of the present 1925 church building; cornerstone laid August 23, 1925.
- Rev. William McCarthy1952-
Directed construction of the gym/parish hall addition to the school in 1952.
- Cliff Hasslerearly 1980s
Pastor in the early 1980s, present for the final Mass in 2023.
- Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette (M.S.)June 12, 1975 - February 2006
Religious order that administered the parish for nearly 31 years.
- Fr. James GrayFebruary 2006 - closure
Assumed pastoral leadership when the La Salette community returned the parish to the Archdiocese.