About Immaculate Conception · Saint James, Missouri
Immaculate Conception is a Roman Catholic parish in St. James, Missouri, in the Diocese of Jefferson City. Officially established in 1868 by German Catholic immigrants from the nearby Meramec Iron Works and Irish Catholic railroad workers, it is the oldest church in the small Phelps County community of St. James. The parish is currently led by Rev. Jason Doke and serves its congregation through Sunday and weekday Masses, the sacraments, and parish organizations including the local Knights of Columbus. It is grouped as an associated parish with St. Patrick in Rolla and St. Anthony of Padua in Rosati within the diocese's Southeast Deanery.
- Established
- 1868
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Jason Doke
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception is a small, historic Catholic parish that has served St. James since 1868, with weekend and weekday Masses and regular opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The parish family includes an active Knights of Columbus council (well known locally for its Lenten fish fries) and is part of a three-parish grouping with St. Patrick in Rolla and St. Anthony of Padua in Rosati, giving parishioners a wider community of faith within the Diocese of Jefferson City's Southeast Deanery. It is a welcoming place for long-time Catholics, newcomers to the area, and anyone seeking a traditional parish home in the Missouri Ozarks.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30–4:45 PM
- Tuesday 4:45–5:45 PM
Parish History
Immaculate Conception was officially established in 1868, making it the oldest church in the community of St. James. Its roots lie in the waves of German Catholic immigrants from the Meramec Iron Works (1830–1850) and Irish Catholic railroad workers who settled in Phelps County. The first church building was completed in 1869 and dedicated in 1872, the same year land was purchased and consecrated as a parish cemetery. The current church was built in 1955 under Fr. Raymond Rau and was dedicated on November 6, 1960, by Bishop Joseph M. Marling of the Diocese of Jefferson City.
- 1868: Parish officially established
- 1869: First church building completed
- 1872: First church dedicated; parish cemetery consecrated
- 1955: New church built under Fr. Raymond Rau
- November 6, 1960: New church dedicated by Bishop Joseph M. Marling
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by Rev. Jason Doke as pastor, assisted by two deacons: Ken Arthur and Matthew K. McLaughlin. Fr. Doke, ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 2013, also serves as dean of the Southeast Deanery of the Diocese of Jefferson City.
- Rev. Jason Doke — Pastor
- Deacon Ken Arthur
- Deacon Matthew K. McLaughlin
Parish Ministries & Community Life
The parish is supported by a number of lay organizations and community activities. The local Knights of Columbus council is one of the most visible ministries, well known in the broader community for hosting Lenten fish fries at the parish hall during the weeks of Lent.
- Knights of Columbus (parish council, hosts annual Lenten fish fries)
- Parish cemetery (in use since 1872)
Sacraments
Immaculate Conception celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments for parishioners and their families. Baptisms, marriages, and anointing of the sick are arranged by contacting the parish office; Reconciliation is offered on Saturday and Tuesday as listed in the schedule.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Saturday 4:30–4:45 PM; Tuesday 4:45–5:45 PM
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
Diocesan Affiliation
Immaculate Conception is a parish in the Diocese of Jefferson City, within the Southeast Deanery. It is grouped as an associated parish with St. Patrick in Rolla and St. Anthony of Padua in Rosati, allowing the three parishes to share pastoral and administrative resources.
- Diocese: Diocese of Jefferson City
- Deanery: Southeast
- County: Phelps
- Associated Parishes: St. Patrick (Rolla) and St. Anthony of Padua (Rosati)
Visit, Call, or Write
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at the church address on East Scioto Street, by phone at 573-265-7250, or by email. The parish is also listed on the Diocese of Jefferson City website, which is a good backup source for any updates.
- Address: 316 E. Scioto St., St. James, MO 65559
- Phone: 573-265-7250
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.icchurchstjames.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Raymond Raumid-1950s
Led the construction of the current church building, which was dedicated in 1960.