About Mary Immaculate · Gallatin, Missouri
Mary Immaculate Catholic Parish is a small rural Catholic community serving Gallatin, Missouri, and surrounding Daviess County in north-central Missouri. Originally established as a mission church built by Sacred Heart Parish of Hamilton in 1950, Mary Immaculate was consecrated in its own church building on August 24 of that anniversary year and celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025 with a Mass presided over by Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph and is pastored by Fr. Timothy Leete, who also serves as parochial administrator of three nearby parishes (St. Joseph in Trenton, Immaculate Heart of Mary in Princeton, and Blessed Sacrament in Bethany). With roughly 50 registered households and an average Mass attendance in the high 80s, Mary Immaculate is an intimate community rooted in the Latin Rite, offering Mass on Saturday evenings, Sunday mornings, and Thursday evenings, with a School of Religion and OCIA catechumenate program for ongoing faith formation.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- Mary Immaculate (the Blessed Virgin Mary in her Immaculate Conception)
- Rector
- Rev. Timothy Leete (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph
Why belong here
Mary Immaculate is a close-knit rural parish where Catholic families in Gallatin and Daviess County can worship together in a traditional setting with weekday, Saturday vigil, and Sunday Mass options. The parish offers a Parish School of Religion for children, an OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process for adults exploring the faith, and the kind of small-community welcome that lets parishioners know one another by name. With Fr. Leete now sharing ministry across a four-parish cluster, Mary Immaculate is also entering a new chapter of collaboration with neighboring parishes to sustain vibrant Catholic life in north-central Missouri.
Mass times at Mary Immaculate
Weekly Mass schedule
About Mary Immaculate Parish
Mary Immaculate Catholic Parish serves the small rural community of Gallatin in Daviess County, north-central Missouri. Founded in 1950 as a mission of Sacred Heart Parish in Hamilton, it now operates as an independent parish in the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph. The parish celebrates Mass on Saturday evenings, Sunday mornings, and Thursday evenings, and maintains a Parish School of Religion and an OCIA catechumenate for ongoing faith formation.
History
The parish traces its origins to 1950, when Sacred Heart Parish in Hamilton built a mission church in Gallatin to serve the rural Catholic families of the area. Reverend Victor G. Moser, assistant pastor of Sacred Heart, offered the first Mass at the new Mary Immaculate Church in June 1950, even though the building—constructed by W.L. Presley of Hamilton—was not yet finished. Mass continued to be celebrated in the incomplete structure through that summer until construction was complete.
- First Mass: June 1950, celebrated by Rev. Victor G. Moser
- Builder: W.L. Presley of Hamilton, Missouri
- Mother parish: Sacred Heart, Hamilton, Missouri
- 75th Anniversary celebrated August 24, 2025 with Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr.
Clergy and Staff
Mary Immaculate is currently served by Rev. Timothy Leete as Parochial Administrator. In September 2024, Fr. Leete was named administrator of Mary Immaculate and three other area parishes (St. Joseph in Trenton, Immaculate Heart of Mary in Princeton, and Blessed Sacrament in Bethany) as part of a regional pastoral plan to sustain Catholic ministry across rural north-central Missouri. The parish office is managed by Brenda Glidewell.
- Rev. Timothy Leete – Pastor / Parochial Administrator (2024–present); email: [email protected]
- Brenda Glidewell – Office Manager; phone (660) 663-2146; email [email protected]
- Former pastors honored at 75th anniversary: Fr. Kenneth Criqui and Fr. Tom Hermes
Mass and Sacramental Schedule
The parish offers three Masses each week. The Saturday Vigil is celebrated at 6:30 p.m. during the Fall, Winter, and Spring, and shifts to 4:30 p.m. during the summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Sunday Mass is at 10:30 a.m., and a weekday Mass is offered on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday Vigil – 6:30 p.m. (Fall/Winter/Spring); 4:30 p.m. (Memorial Day – Labor Day)
- Sunday – 10:30 a.m.
- Thursday – 6:30 p.m.
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Mary Immaculate runs a Parish School of Religion (PSR) for children, with classes organized by grade level. Registration is handled through the parish office. The parish also offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for adults exploring the Catholic faith or completing their initiation sacraments.
- Parish School of Religion – contact Ally Mahler ([email protected]) to register a child
- OCIA / Catechumenate – contact Fr. Timothy Leete, the parish office at [email protected], or (402) 499-4916
- Children's faith formation covers K–8 and high-school-age catechesis
Parish Life and Community
As a small rural parish, Mary Immaculate emphasizes close community bonds. Annual events such as the parish Fish Fry fundraiser bring parishioners and neighbors together, and the parish maintains an active presence on Facebook for announcements and photos. Parishioners are encouraged to register with the parish office to receive communications and support sacramental preparation.
- Annual Fish Fry (community fundraiser)
- Parish registration available online via the parish website and through the office
- Facebook page linked from the official website for news and announcements
- Community-wide events tied to anniversary celebrations and liturgical feasts
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the sacraments in keeping with diocesan norms. Parents seeking Baptism, couples preparing for Marriage, and adults seeking initiation or reception into the Catholic Church are asked to contact Fr. Leete or the parish office.
- Baptism – contact parish office
- First Communion and Confirmation – through Parish School of Religion
- Marriage – contact Fr. Timothy Leete
- RCIA / OCIA – for adults seeking initiation
Visit, Contact, and Registration
Visitors and new parishioners are warmly welcomed. Registration forms are available online through the parish website or in person from Fr. Leete. The parish office can be reached by phone, email, or in person at the church address.
- Address: 409 South Main Street, Gallatin, Missouri 64640
- Phone: (660) 663-2146
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Office Manager: Brenda Glidewell
- Online registration form available on the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Victor G. Moser1950
Assistant pastor of Sacred Heart, Hamilton; offered the first Mass at Mary Immaculate in June 1950.
- Fr. Kenneth Criqui
Former pastor; concelebrated the 75th anniversary Mass in 2025.
- Fr. Tom Hermes
Former pastor; concelebrated the 75th anniversary Mass in 2025.
- Fr. Timothy Leete2024–present
Current parochial administrator; named administrator of Mary Immaculate along with three other area parishes in September 2024.