About Immaculate Conception · Pierron, Illinois
Immaculate Conception is a Catholic parish in the small village of Pierron, Illinois (Madison County), serving its faithful as part of a three-parish cluster together with Saint Nicholas and Saint Gertrude churches. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and is led currently by pastor Fr. Callistus O. Osiaga, with parish secretary Sonya Curry. The parish traces its roots to 1891, when Bishop James Ryan appointed Rev. William Futterer to organize a new community under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Immaculate Conception, and it celebrated its centennial in 1991.
- Established
- 1891
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of her Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Fr. Callistus O. Osiaga
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception offers the intimate, traditional feel of a small-town Catholic parish steeped in more than 130 years of history, while also belonging to a three-parish cluster that gives parishioners a fuller schedule of Masses, devotions, and faith formation. The parish runs an unusually rich ministry program for a small community — including weekday Eucharistic Adoration, a Pro-Life Rosary, Monday Night Prayer Group, RCIA, men's and women's groups, a music ministry, and outreach such as a Soup Kitchen. With strong Catholic schools, sacramental preparation, and weekly Mass in both English and Latin (Roman) rite, it is a welcoming place to root family life in prayer and service.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 8:30–9:00 AM (Immaculate Conception, Pierron)
- Tuesday 8:30–9:00 AM (Saint Gertrude)
- Saturday 3:45–4:15 PM (Saint Nicholas)
Adoration times
- Thursdays 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, September through April
Welcome & Parish Mission
The parish of Immaculate Conception describes itself as 'a welcoming Catholic community called by God to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people.' It is one of three sister-parishes — along with Saint Nicholas and Saint Gertrude — that together form a single pastoral community in this part of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. The parish website invites visitors to discover Mass times, staff contacts, upcoming events, and directions all in one place.
- Mission statement: 'a welcoming Catholic community called by God to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people.'
- Cluster parishes: Immaculate Conception (Pierron), St. Nicholas, and St. Gertrude
- Centralized contact: PO Box 410, Pierron IL 62273
Parish History
Immaculate Conception was founded in 1891 by Bishop James Ryan, who appointed Rev. William Futterer to organize a new parish under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The original church and rectory were built in 1892 and dedicated on May 28, 1893. The parish grew steadily through more than a century of priestly service, built a school staffed by the School Sisters of St. Francis (1901–1968), constructed a larger school in 1924 under Pastor Rev. Anthony G. Kunsch, and dedicated its present-day church and social hall in 1973. The 100th anniversary was opened on December 7, 1991.
- Founded 1891; original church dedicated May 28, 1893 by Bishop James Ryan
- Parish school opened 1901; closed May 1968 after 67 years of School Sisters of St. Francis
- New school dedicated by Bishop James Griffin on October 19, 1924 (500-seat auditorium with motion-picture stage)
- Golden Jubilee improvements in 1941–1942; High Mass celebrated by Bishop Griffin on August 30, 1942
- Pastor Rev. Anthony G. Kunsch's 45-year tenure (1920–1965); Christmas Eve electric chimes debuted 1948
- New rectory 1963; new church and social hall dedicated by Bishop William O'Connor on September 16, 1973
- 100th anniversary opened December 7, 1991
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish operates a full Religious Education program for children, alongside adult faith formation and youth ministry. Preparation is offered for each of the sacraments of initiation, with the parish website describing faith formation as 'a vital element of the Catholic life'.
- Religious Education Classes for Grades 1–8
- Sacrament preparation for First Communion and First Penance
- Confirmation preparation
- High School Youth Ministry
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Parish Ministries & Groups
Immaculate Conception's ministry page lists more than two dozen parish ministries and groups, organized under liturgical, spiritual, social, and outreach categories. The parish especially invites new members to 'prayerfully consider' sharing their gifts.
- Liturgical: Music Ministry (choir rehearsals Tuesday 7 PM in the Choir Loft), Altar Server, Senior Altar Server, Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Sacristan, Greeters, Usher, Liturgical Linen Service
- Spiritual/Formational: Monday Night Prayer Group, Eucharistic Adoration, Pro-Life Rosary, RCIA, Baptism Preparation
- Pastoral Councils: Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Council
- Service & Outreach: Fellowship Committee, Offertory Counters, Flowers and Grounds, Soup Kitchen, St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Community Groups: Men's Group (every other Saturday 7:30–8:50 AM with breakfast), Women's Group (periodic gatherings, babysitting available)
Sacraments
The parish prepares the faithful for the full range of Catholic sacraments, both for children and for adults entering the Church through the RCIA process.
- Baptism — Baptism Preparation ministry for parents
- First Communion and First Penance — preparation for children
- Confirmation — preparation programs for teens
- RCIA — preparation of adult candidates for Catholic initiation
- Marriage — contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick and Communion for the homebound — coordinated through the Eucharistic Minister ministry
Parish Staff
The parish staff page lists the pastor and parish secretary. Parishioners and visitors are invited to call or email any staff member or to use the online Contact form for general inquiries.
- Fr. Callistus O. Osiaga — Pastor — 618-654-2789 — [email protected]
- Sonya Curry — Secretary — 618-669-2391 — [email protected]
Directions
Immaculate Conception is located in the village of Pierron, a short drive from Interstate 70 in Madison County, Illinois.
- From I-70, take the Pierron exit onto IL Route 143
- At the stoplight, turn left to continue on Route 143
- Cross the railroad tracks and turn left onto Main Street — the church is on Main Street in Pierron
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Futterer1891–c.1893
Organized the new parish at the appointment of Bishop James Ryan; oversaw construction of the original church and rectory; the church was dedicated May 28, 1893.
- Rev. Wimar Oberdoesterc.1893–late 1890s
Added the cemetery stone crucifix, installed a basement furnace, founded the St. Joseph Building Association; died of typhoid fever contracted on a trip to St. Louis.
- Rev. William Michaellate 1890s–March 1920
Completed and opened the parish school in 1901, staffed for the next 67 years by the School Sisters of St. Francis of Milwaukee.
- Rev. Anthony G. KunschMarch 14, 1920 – November 4, 1965
Appointed by Bishop Ryan; led a 45-year pastorate; built and dedicated a new school (October 19, 1924) with a 500-seat auditorium; installed the church's electric chimes in 1948.
- Rev. William Wand1965–early 1970s
Began a major rebuilding campaign, starting with a new rectory in 1963; died before the new church was finished.
- Rev. William Hembrook1970s
Completed the new church and social hall; Bishop William O'Connor dedicated the new complex on September 16, 1973.