About Ss. Peter and Paul · Waterloo, Illinois
Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Waterloo, Illinois, founded in 1843 and one of the oldest faith communities in the Diocese of Belleville. The parish belongs to the Vincentian family of priests (Congregation of the Mission, C.M.), and is currently served by Fr. Linus Umoren, C.M. as pastor and Fr. Longenus Odum, C.M. as parochial vicar. The parish worships in a striking 19th-century Romanesque church completed in 1883 after thirty years of construction, and operates Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic School (Pre-K through 8th grade) as well as a robust PSR program, OCIA process, liturgical ministries, music program, and outreach including a St. Vincent de Paul Conference. It is partnered in ministry with St. Augustine of Canterbury in Hecker and St. Mary in Valmeyer.
- Established
- 1843
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul (originally Saint Francis of Assisi at founding; rededicated to Ss. Peter and Paul in 1862)
- Rector
- Rev. Linus Umoren, C.M.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville
Why belong here
Ss. Peter and Paul is a Christ-centered parish where every member is invited to grow in a relationship with Jesus Christ and to live as His witness in the world. Whether through vibrant liturgy, lifelong faith formation for children and adults, the parish school, music ministry, or outreach like the St. Vincent de Paul Conference, Mercy in Action, Prayer Shawl Ministry, and nursing-home Communion services, parishioners find many ways to share their time and talents. As a nearly 180-year-old community with deep roots in Waterloo and an active partnership with neighboring parishes, it offers both a strong sense of tradition and a welcoming place for new families.
Mass times at Ss. Peter and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
- Anytime by appointment
- Advent and Lent: special parish penance services
Parish Overview & Mission
Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church is a Christ-centered community rooted in prayer and Eucharist, inspired by the faith of Saint Peter and the missionary zeal of Saint Paul. The parish's vision is to be a thriving parish where every person encounters Christ, grows in faith and lives as His witness in the world, while its mission stresses proclaiming the Good News, nurturing disciples, vibrant liturgy, lifelong faith formation, and social justice — especially service to the poor.
- Vision: a thriving parish where every person encounters Christ, grows in faith, and lives as His witness.
- Mission: proclaiming the Gospel, nurturing disciples, vibrant liturgy, lifelong formation, service to the poor.
- Core values: vibrant liturgy, lifelong faith formation, and promotion of social justice.
History of Ss. Peter and Paul Parish
Founded in 1843 by the itinerant Fr. Patrick McCabe, the parish grew slowly in its early decades. A small brick church was finished in 1852 and dedicated in 1862 under the patronage of Ss. Peter and Paul. Plans for a larger church were drawn up in 1870 and, after about thirty years of construction, the present Romanesque church was completed in 1883 — still the parish's worship space today. The Diocese of Alton was divided in 1887, placing Ss. Peter and Paul in the new Diocese of Belleville.
- 1843 — Parish founded; first baptisms recorded May 7 by Fr. Patrick McCabe.
- 1848 — Fr. Michael Pendergast becomes first resident pastor.
- 1852 — First small brick church completed; dedicated 1862 under Ss. Peter and Paul.
- 1883 — Present Romanesque church completed after ~30 years of construction.
- 1887 — Placed in the newly created Diocese of Belleville.
Architecture & Worship Space
The parish's 1883 church is built in the Romanesque style with brick walls, a tall steeple and clock tower topped by a gold crucifix, and arched stained-glass windows on three sides. Semi-circular arches span the nave, pointed arches span the aisles, and a barrel vault covers the transept. A recent rehabilitation restored symbolic elements to enrich liturgy, while the building itself is consecrated by every Mass, baptism, wedding, and funeral held within it.
- Romanesque brick exterior with tall steeple and clock tower.
- Arched stained-glass windows on west, east, and north walls.
- Semi-circular arches over the nave; pointed arches over the aisles.
- Barrel-vault ceiling in the transept.
- South wall adjoins the Parish Pastoral Center (offices).
Clergy, Staff & Pastoral Leadership
The parish is currently led by Vincentian pastor Fr. Linus Umoren, C.M., with Fr. Longenus Odum, C.M. serving as parochial vicar and Deacon David Miskell assisting. A team of lay pastoral associates and staff handle faith formation, business management, administration, communications, and the sacristy. Parish leadership also includes a Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Stewardship Committee, Service Committee, Investment Committee, Cemetery Committee, and two appointed Trustees.
- Pastor: Rev. Linus Umoren, C.M. (since 2020)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Longenus Odum, C.M.
- Deacon: David Miskell
- Pastoral Associate for Youth Faith Formation & PSR: Catherine Burkart
- Pastoral Associate for Adult Faith Formation: Donna Lance
- Parish Business Manager: Emily Kimutis
- Administrative Assistant & Child Protection Coordinator: Jennifer Richards
- PR & Marketing Coordinator: Caitlyn Poepper
- Sacristan & Housekeeper: Christine Petruso
Faith Formation & Catholic School
Ss. Peter and Paul offers faith formation for every age. The parish runs the Parish School of Religion (PSR) for students in grades 1–8 who do not attend Catholic school, with Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in 2nd grade and Confirmation in 8th grade. Sunday School serves preschool and kindergarten children during the 10 am Mass. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) welcomes those becoming Catholic. Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic School (SPPCS) serves Pre-K through 8th grade, with religion classes for all students and Mass attendance twice weekly.
- PSR: grades 1–8, Wednesday evenings 6:45–8:00 pm in the SPPCS building (group prayer 6:30–6:45 pm).
- Sacramental Prep: 1st Reconciliation & 1st Eucharist in grade 2; Confirmation in grade 8.
- Sunday School for preschool/kindergarten during 10 am Mass.
- OCIA for adults seeking to become Catholic.
- Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic School (SPPCS): Pre-K through 8th grade.
Liturgical & Music Ministries
A wide range of liturgical ministries supports weekend and holy day Masses, including altar servers (grades 3 through high school plus an adult server ministry), extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion (for parish, homebound, and nursing-home settings), lectors, ushers, greeters, gift bearers, sacristans, and church decorators. The 'Heavenly Dusters' keep the church clean on a rotating schedule. The Music Ministry — led by Scott Ruppel — includes an Adult Choir, Funeral Choir, cantors, and instrumentalists.
- Altar Servers (students grades 3+ and adult acolytes)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — parish, homebound, nursing home
- Lectors, Ushers, Greeters, Gift Bearers, Sacristans
- Church Decorating team
- Heavenly Dusters (cleaning teams)
- Music Ministry: Adult Choir, Funeral Choir, Cantors, Instrumentalists
Care, Outreach & St. Vincent de Paul
The 'Share Your Care' ministries reach parishioners in times of joy and grief. Volunteers provide funeral luncheons, serve a twice-monthly Grief Support Group, knit and pray over Prayer Shawls, and respond to needs through Mercy in Action and the Prayer Chain. The parish St. Vincent de Paul Conference — Vincentians who serve Christ in the poor — meets the first Tuesday at 7:00 pm in the Adult Faith Formation House and runs home visits, a food pantry, mobile soup bus, and youth service opportunities.
- Funeral Luncheon Workers
- Grief Support Group (meets twice a month)
- Mercy in Action (service matching program)
- Prayer Shawl Ministry (2nd Tuesday, 1:00–2:30 pm)
- Prayer Chain (email and phone)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society Conference (1st Tuesday, 7:00 pm)
Parish Councils & Committees
Parishioners serve on a number of councils and committees that guide the life of Ss. Peter and Paul. Two trustees are appointed by the pastor to advise on temporal needs, while the Pastoral Council helps set pastoral priorities and the Finance Council oversees the parish budget and reports to the diocese. Other committees steward giving, fundraising, investments, and the parish cemetery.
- Pastoral Council — meets second Tuesday of the month.
- Finance Council — meets fourth Monday of the month.
- Stewardship Committee — coordinates stewardship education, ministry fair.
- Service Committee — coordinates fundraising and service events.
- Investment Committee — oversees endowed assets.
- Cemetery Committee — oversees cemetery operation and maintenance.
- Trustees — appointed by the pastor.
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates all seven sacraments. Infant baptism is normally scheduled on the last Sunday of the month (except during Lent) after the 10 am Mass, with a Baptismal Preparation Team meeting first-time parents. Children prepare for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in 2nd grade and Confirmation in 8th grade. Couples must contact the parish office at least four months before setting a wedding date and complete pre-marital counseling and Pre-Cana.
- Baptism — last Sunday of the month (except Lent) after 10 am Mass.
- Confirmation — yearly preparation for 8th graders.
- Eucharist — preparation in 2nd grade.
- Reconciliation — Saturday 4:00–4:45 pm and by appointment.
- Anointing of the Sick — by request, in autumn, and at nursing homes.
- Holy Orders — by inquiry through the parish office.
- Matrimony — minimum four months' notice, pre-marital counseling and Pre-Cana.
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is open at 204 West Mill Street, Waterloo, IL 62298, next to the church. Office staff can be reached at (618) 939-6426 during business hours, with an emergency line at (618) 939-1329. The official website at ssppcc.org hosts the latest schedule, news, online giving through ParishSoft, and ministry contact information.
- Address: 204 West Mill Street, Waterloo, IL 62298
- Phone: (618) 939-6426
- Fax: (618) 939-2011
- Emergency Line: (618) 939-1329
- Website: http://www.ssppcc.org
- Online giving: giving.parishsoft.com/App/Giving/PS-1524
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Patrick McCabe1843–1848
Itinerant Irish priest who recorded the first Catholic baptisms and opened parish records.
- Reverend Michael Pendergast1848–1853
First resident pastor of the parish.
- Reverend Peter J. Baltes1853–1855
- Reverend Francis Fischer1855–1861
- Reverend Paul Limacher1861–1899
Long-tenured pastor during early growth of the parish.
- Reverend James Gillen1899–1899
- Reverend Charles Krewet1899–1924
- Reverend Charles J. Eschmann1924–1937
- Reverend Gustave H. Unterkoefler1937–1944
- Right Reverend Monsignor Marcellus J. Gruenewald1944–1946
- Reverend Charles Hellrung1946–1970
- Reverend James McCormick1970–1971
- Reverend Jerome Ratterman1971–1985
- Reverend Francis Seyer1985–1998
- Reverend Monsignor Thomas Flach1998–2009
- Reverend Osang Idagbo, C.M.2009–2020
First Vincentian (Congregation of the Mission) pastor.
- Reverend Linus Umoren, C.M.2020–present
Current pastor; Vincentian.