About Our Lady Queen of Peace · Bethalto, Illinois
Our Lady Queen of Peace (OLQP) is a Roman Catholic parish in Bethalto, Illinois, belonging to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. The parish serves the communities of Bethalto, Cottage Hills, Fosterburg, Moro, Meadowbrook and Dorsey in Madison County, in the Illinois Metro East region across the river from St. Louis. The parish church stands at 132 Butcher Street, and it is paired with Our Lady Queen of Peace School at 618 N. Prairie Street, a PK3–8 elementary school founded in 1962. OLQP offers daily and Sunday Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a vibrant Knights of Columbus council (Council #4688, 4th Degree #203), a Parish School of Religion, and an OCIA (formerly RCIA) program for adults seeking initiation into the Catholic Church.
- Established
- 1945
- Patron
- Our Lady Queen of Peace (Mary, under the title Queen of Peace)
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas R. (Tom) Liebler
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Why belong here
OLQP is a parish where faith, school and community are deeply woven together. Parishioners can attend Mass six days a week, take advantage of weekly Saturday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and find sacramental preparation for every stage of life—from infant baptism, to PSR religious education for children, to OCIA for adults entering the Church. The parish also sustains an active Knights of Columbus council, Bible study, a Prayer Group, Ladies Sewing Group, parish dinners and auctions, and OLQP School ministries that involve parents directly in service hours. It is a small, family-friendly parish that puts a strong emphasis on forming children in the Catholic faith while keeping adults engaged through retreats, devotions and community events.
Mass times at Our Lady Queen of Peace
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm (and by appointment)
- During Lent: Father Tom is available 45 minutes before every daily and weekend Mass (except the 10:30 Sunday Mass)
Adoration times
- Saturday 9:00 am – 11:00 am (Weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
Parish Overview & Identity
Our Lady Queen of Peace is a Roman Catholic parish in Bethalto, Illinois, in Madison County's Metro East region across from St. Louis. It belongs to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. The parish was named in 1945 and serves Bethalto and the surrounding communities of Cottage Hills, Fosterburg, Moro, Meadowbrook and Dorsey. The parish church is at 132 Butcher Street; the parish school shares the same Catholic mission at 618 N. Prairie Street.
- Diocese: Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
- Pastor: Rev. Thomas R. (Tom) Liebler
- Parish office phone: (618) 377-6519
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Parish office email: [email protected]
- Mass schedule published in the weekly bulletin and on the website
History of the Parish
Catholic worship in Bethalto began in 1858, with Mass celebrated in a Madison Coal Company house north of town. A frame church became St. Martin of Tours Parish in 1861 under Bishop Juncker of Alton. After a fire destroyed church and rectory in 1886, the parish was rebuilt and renamed for St. Joseph, but eventually disbanded. Catholic life returned to Bethalto in December 1944, and on April 26, 1945 Bishop James A. Griffin appointed Father Thomas Manning as first pastor of the new Our Lady Queen of Peace parish, officially named on May 8, 1945. Due to wartime shortages, the basement served as worship space from Good Friday 1946; the upper church was ready by Holy Thursday 1947 and was dedicated by Bishop Griffin on October 7, 1947, the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary. The parish school followed in 1962, also under Father Manning.
- 1858 – First Mass celebrated in a Madison Coal Company house north of Bethalto
- 1861 – St. Martin of Tours Parish established; Bishop Juncker lays cornerstone
- 1886 – Fire destroys church and rectory after a mission by Father Brown, S.J.
- 1887 – New church blessed and opened by Father John Herlitz on July 17; placed under patronage of St. Joseph
- Parish later disbanded; parishioners attended Mass in Alton and Wood River
- December 25, 1944 – Father Douglas sings first High Mass of the revived Catholic community
- April 26, 1945 – Bishop James A. Griffin appoints Rev. Thomas Manning as first pastor
- May 8, 1945 – Parish officially named Our Lady Queen of Peace
- Good Friday 1946 – Way of the Cross celebrated in the church basement
- Holy Thursday 1947 – First Mass in the upper church
- October 7, 1947 – Bishop Griffin dedicates the temporary church on the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary
- 1962 – Our Lady Queen of Peace School founded under Father Thomas Manning
Devotions & Prayer Life
Beyond the Mass schedule, OLQP sustains a robust prayer life with seasonal devotions during Lent and ongoing weekly prayer and study groups.
- Prayer Group — meets weekly
- Ladies Bible Study Group — 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 9:30–10:30 am
- Ladies Sewing Group
- Stations of the Cross and Lenten Fish Fry during Lent
- Evening of Reflection during Lent
- Seder Meal during Holy Week
- Rosary prayed before Mass (volunteer rosary leaders needed, especially for 4:30 pm Saturday Mass)
- Hospital visits and Anointing of the Sick by request
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
OLQP celebrates all the usual Catholic sacraments and brings communion to those who cannot attend Mass in person. Parents of infants should call the office to arrange baptism preparation with Father Tom.
- Baptism — call parish office for meeting with Fr. Tom
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:30 pm and by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick / Hospital visits — call parish office
- Holy Communion to the Homebound — first Friday of each month; weekly Friday visits to Villa Rose Retirement Living, Cedarhurst Living, Hollybrook and Bethalto Care Center
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) — for adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist
- Marriage and Funeral coordination through the parish office
Faith Formation: PSR & OCIA
The parish operates a Parish School of Religion (PSR) for children not enrolled at OLQP School and an OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — formerly RCIA) process for adults seeking initiation into the Catholic Church or completing their sacraments.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) — parish-based religious education for children
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) — adult initiation into the Catholic Church; classes begin each fall
- Contact the parish office to sign up or learn more
Parish School (PK3–8)
Our Lady Queen of Peace School has been an integral part of the parish since 1962. The school offers Preschool 3, Preschool 4, and Kindergarten through 8th grade, with the philosophy that each child is unique and has the right to reach his or her potential as a knowledgeable, caring citizen. The school is closely integrated with parish life — families complete service hours, participate in school Masses, and join parish fundraisers.
- Founded 1962 under Father Thomas Manning
- Address: 618 N. Prairie Street, Bethalto, IL 62010
- Phone: (618) 377-6401; Fax: (618) 377-6146
- Principal: Mrs. Kim Knight ([email protected])
- School Secretary: Chrissy Woodiel ([email protected])
- Head of Maintenance: Nick Zakrzewski
- Music: Tracy Wiggenhorn
- Preschool 3: Dr. Woodiel
- Preschool 4 (4-year-old): Kirsten Carll
- Kindergarten: Mrs. Sarah Belmonte
- 1st Grade: Miss Bernadette Friedel; Mrs. Katie Admire
- 2nd, 3rd, 4th Grades: Mrs. Laura Niedbalski; Mrs. Kalie Dickinson; Mrs. Angie Waldo
- 5th Grade: (staff listed on school contact page)
- 6th Grade: (staff listed on school contact page)
- 7th Grade: (staff listed on school contact page)
- 8th Grade: Mrs. Rosemary Dorsey
- PE: Mrs. Laura Wagner; Lyndsey Perez
- Online registration through FACTS Grant & Aid
Parish School Association (PSA)
The Parent School Association (PSA) is the parent-led organization supporting OLQP School through fundraising, community-building events, and parent volunteer coordination.
- President: Karmin Hall
- Vice President: Samantha Pritchett
- Treasurer: Jenifer Standefer
- Secretary: Chrissy Certa
Knights of Columbus Bethalto Council #4688
OLQP hosts the Bethalto Council #4688 of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree Assembly #203. The council is one of the most active ministries of the parish, sponsoring fundraisers for the school, running a food trailer at the Bethalto Homecoming, supporting vocations, and inviting Catholic men in the community to grow in faith and service to their families. New members can join for a free year using promo code BLESSEDMCGIVNEY.
- Grand Knight: Luke Kistner (also listed as Luke Kistner in 2025 publications)
- Contact: [email protected]
- Website: www.bethaltoknights.org
- Council Number: 4688; Member Referral Number: 3474411
- Promo code for free first-year membership: BLESSEDMCGIVNEY
- Runs food trailer at annual Bethalto Homecoming
- Co-sponsors the Harvest Knights Chicken & Beer Dance (annual school fundraiser)
- Supports diocesan seminarian vocations through a $10/$10 split of council proceeds
Parish Fundraising & Community Events
OLQP and its school rely on a lively calendar of fundraisers and community events throughout the year, bringing together parishioners, school families, and the wider Bethalto community.
- SCRIP gift card program (enrollment code FF1ECBD61859 via raiseright.com) — 80% of rebates returned to school families
- Annual Parish Dinner Auction
- Harvest Knights Chicken & Beer Dance (live auction, raffle baskets, music by The Gusto)
- Card Game Bingo and Glow Bingo
- Parish Hog Roast at the pavilion
- Parish Cookbook ($12; ~300 recipes plus history of the school and church)
- Men's Night at the Horse Races
- Vocations Support Raffle (statewide)
- Parish trip and Mom's Club events
Communication & Bulletin
The parish publishes a weekly bulletin, a school weekly Parent Letter, and a parish cookbook, all available through the parish website. The site also hosts announcements, ministry schedules, online giving, and links to the school.
- Weekly bulletin (PDF) posted on parish website
- Weekly school Parent Letter (PDF)
- Online contributions / donation information
- Ministry Schedule published in the bulletin
- School Newsletter and Lunch Menu
- Sexual Abuse Prevention Guide and Parent Notification System listed under school parent resources
Visiting OLQP
Newcomers and visitors are welcome at OLQP. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm (closed 12:00–1:00 pm for lunch). Visitors can attend daily Mass, weekend Masses, Saturday Adoration, and the many parish and school events throughout the year. The OCIA process begins each fall for adults seeking to enter the Church, and the parish school welcomes tours by appointment.
- Parish office hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm (lunch 12–1)
- Phone: (618) 377-6519
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor cell: (618) 409-7444
- School tours: (618) 377-6401
- Online contributions available through the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas Manning1945–
First pastor appointed by Bishop James A. Griffin on April 26, 1945; oversaw construction and dedication of the church (dedicated Oct 7, 1947) and founded the parish school in 1962.