About Immaculate Conception · Tamaroa, Illinois
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is a small Catholic parish located in the village of Tamaroa, Illinois, in Perry County, serving the rural Catholic community of southern Illinois. The parish is paired in a pastorate with Sacred Heart Parish in nearby Du Quoin, sharing clergy, staff, religious education, and many ministries as a single faith family that worships and serves across two churches. Sunday Mass is celebrated at Immaculate Conception at 10:00 a.m., and the parish belongs to the Diocese of Belleville. The parish hall is available for community rental, and the church remains an active center of worship, faith formation, and fellowship for Tamaroa and the surrounding area.
- Established
- 1904
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Reverend Carl Schrage (parish website); listed by Diocese of Belleville as administered by a Vincentian priest of the Congregation of the Mission (C.M.)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception is a welcoming small-town Catholic parish where visitors are greeted warmly whether they come 'from down the street, around the corner, or from another state.' As the Tamaroa member of a two-church pastorate with Sacred Heart in Du Quoin, the parish offers Sunday Mass at 10:00 a.m., parish-based religious education (PSR) for children, an active Parish Council, hall rental for community events, and the sacramental life of a Catholic parish — including baptism, marriage preparation, reconciliation by appointment, and seasonal devotions such as Stations of the Cross during Lent. Families looking for an intimate rural faith community rooted in devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary will find a friendly home here.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment (per the parish website and the Diocese of Belleville directory)
Welcome to Immaculate Conception Parish
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is a small rural Catholic parish in the village of Tamaroa, Perry County, Illinois. According to the parish's own website, 'Whether you come from down the street, around the corner, or from another state, we extend a warm welcome! We are blessed that you have chosen to worship with us.' The parish is part of a two-church pastorate with Sacred Heart Parish in Du Quoin, and visitors are encouraged to call the parish office or send an email to register as parishioners.
History of Immaculate Conception
The parish traces its roots to the late nineteenth century when Catholic families in Tamaroa organized a local congregation. The parish website states the parish was 'Founded in 1890,' while the Diocese of Belleville directory records the parish as 'Established 1904,' and a regional genealogical clipping notes the church was 'founded 1904 — first mass 1906.' Sacramental registers from 1916 to 1956 are preserved by the Diocese of Belleville and are accessible through the FamilySearch Catholic parish records collection. The parish continues today as the Tamaroa member of the Sacred Heart–Immaculate Conception pastorate in the Diocese of Belleville.
- Parish website states the parish was founded in 1890.
- Diocese of Belleville directory lists the establishment date as 1904.
- First Mass referenced in local clipping: 1906.
- Parish registers (1916–1956) preserved in 'Illinois, Diocese of Belleville, Catholic Parish Records, 1695-1956' on FamilySearch.
Parish Staff and Clergy
Immaculate Conception is shepherded as part of the Sacred Heart / Immaculate Conception pastorate. The parish website lists Reverend Carl Schrage as Pastor of both Sacred Heart and Immaculate Conception; the Diocese of Belleville directory currently lists a Vincentian administrator (Congregation of the Mission, C.M.) for the parish. Deacon Anthony Kellerman assists in the pastorate, and lay staff and council members include a parish secretary, coordinator of religious education, maintenance lead, parish council presidents, and youth ministry.
- Reverend Carl Schrage — Pastor (parish website)
- Reverend John Igwe, CM / Reverend Longenus Odum, CM — Vincentian Administrator (Diocese of Belleville directory listings)
- Deacon Anthony Kellerman
- Parish Secretary — Kelly Paxton (parish website) / Erica Woodside (diocese directory)
- Coordinator of Religious Education — Janet Hayden (parish website) / Jill Hayden (diocese directory)
- Parish Council President (Immaculate Conception) — Jamie Schrader, 618-318-3900
- Parish Council President (Sacred Heart) — Paul Martin, 618-924-3595
- Maintenance — Tony Kellerman
- Youth Minister — TBA (Sacred Heart & Immaculate Conception)
- Webmaster — Suzanne McCrary
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Immaculate Conception shares its Parish School of Religion (PSR) program with partner parish Sacred Heart. Janet Hayden (per the parish website) and Jill Hayden (per the diocesan directory) serve as the Coordinator of Religious Education. A PSR Registration Form is made available on the parish website, and youth ministry is listed for both parishes together, indicating a coordinated catechetical effort for the children of the pastorate.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) — joint program with Sacred Heart
- Coordinator of Religious Education — Janet/Jill Hayden (618-318-2674)
- PSR Registration Form posted on parish website
- Youth Ministry (Sacred Heart & Immaculate Conception) — currently TBA
Sacraments
The parish website states the sacramental policy for the pastorate: Baptism is celebrated during weekend Masses by appointment, with the family required to be registered parishioners and to attend a baptismal preparation session; Marriage requires at least six months' prior notification to the pastor; Reconciliation is offered by appointment and during scheduled times; Holy Mass is offered according to the published schedule.
- Baptism — during weekend Masses by appointment; registered member + baptismal preparation required
- Marriage — minimum six months' notice to the pastor
- Reconciliation — by appointment (and at scheduled times at Sacred Heart)
- Holy Mass — see Mass schedule
Lenten and Seasonal Devotions
During Lent, the parish takes part in the traditional Stations of the Cross. As published in the parish bulletin, Stations of the Cross are prayed at Sacred Heart on Wednesdays at 4:45 p.m. and at Immaculate Conception on selected Fridays at 6:00 p.m. The parish also observes Holy Day Masses and other liturgical seasons 'as announced' on the bulletin and schedule page.
- Stations of the Cross at Sacred Heart — Wednesdays during Lent, 4:45 p.m.
- Stations of the Cross at Immaculate Conception — selected Fridays during Lent, 6:00 p.m.
- Holy Day Masses — as announced
Parish Life, Hall Rental, and Giving
Beyond worship, Immaculate Conception offers its parish hall for rental to community groups and families (contact 618-496-5867). The parish also invites planned giving, including the option of including Immaculate Conception Church in a will or trust, or donating an unneeded insurance policy, with the reassurance of tax benefits and support for the parish's future. The parish website posts a Memorial Brick Order Form and a monthly 'Parishioners Serving Schedule,' indicating an active lay-led liturgical and community life.
- Immaculate Conception Hall — available for rental (618-496-5867)
- Planned giving — wills, trusts, and life insurance gifts
- Memorial Brick Order Form — available on parish website
- Monthly Parishioners Serving Schedule — published for February and March