About St. Agnes · Springfield, Illinois
St. Agnes Parish is a Roman Catholic community in northwestern Springfield, Illinois, established in 1888 as the city's fifth Catholic parish. A parish of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, St. Agnes serves approximately 2,273 parishioners across 986 families and is anchored by its grade school (Preschool through Grade 8). The parish's mission statement, written by its members, commits the community to "seek first the Kingdom of God in our life together," and weekend liturgies are celebrated in English by Father Daniel J. Bergbower, V.F., Father Troy Niemerg, and Deacon Roy A. Harley.
- Established
- 1888
- Patron
- Saint Agnes of Rome
- Rector
- Reverend Daniel J. Bergbower, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Why belong here
St. Agnes welcomes anyone curious about the Catholic faith, those preparing for sacraments, and anyone simply looking for a place to belong. Weekend Masses (Saturday 4:30 PM; Sunday 9:00 and 11:00 AM) are complemented by daily Mass, weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Tuesday afternoons), Saturday confessions, and a full Faith Formation program for children and adults through the OCIA (formerly RCIA). Families are especially at home here: the parish runs an on-site preschool-through-Grade-8 Catholic school that integrates spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social and physical formation, and parish life includes choirs, lectors, greeters, altar servers, a Men's Ministry Group, the Holy Name Society, the Parents' Club, Vacation Bible School, and a hands-on service program asking each family to log 20 hours a year.
Mass times at St. Agnes
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Tuesday 2:30–3:30 PM (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
Parish Mission and Identity
St. Agnes frames itself as a Catholic Christian community in northwestern Springfield, Illinois, whose members commit themselves 'to seek first the Kingdom of God in our life together.' The parish website opens with the declaration 'Loved and Chosen by God, We are the Saint Agnes Parish Family,' and invites visitors who are curious about the Catholic faith, preparing to celebrate the sacraments, or simply looking for a place to belong. New parishioners may register in person at the rectory Monday through Friday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–4:00 PM, or by phone at 217-793-1330.
- Mission statement: 'Loved and Chosen by God, We are the Saint Agnes Parish Family.'
- Welcoming statement for inquirers, those preparing for sacraments, and visitors seeking belonging
- In-person registration at the rectory office (Mon–Fri, 8 AM–noon and 1–4 PM)
- Phone registration: 217-793-1330
History of St. Agnes Parish
Founded October 1, 1888 by Bishop James Ryan as Springfield's fifth Catholic parish, St. Agnes has served the area south of Carpenter Street and west of the Chicago and Alton Railroad for more than 135 years. The original church on College Street (later 307 W. Capitol Ave.) hosted its first Mass on May 4, 1890 under founding pastor Father James Howard, and a school staffed by Springfield Dominican Sisters opened in 1897. The parish moved to its present North Amos Avenue campus in 1981, and the new church was dedicated by Bishop Daniel L. Ryan on November 26, 1989 — almost exactly a century after the original cornerstone.
- 1888 — Parish established by Bishop James Ryan (5th Catholic parish in Springfield)
- 1889 — Cornerstone of original church blessed on College Street
- 1890 — First Mass celebrated by Father James Howard, May 4
- 1897 — First parish school opens, staffed by Springfield Dominican Sisters
- 1913 — Larger school built; Silver Jubilee celebrated
- 1979 — Original property sold to the State of Illinois for $1.4 million
- 1981 — First Sunday Mass in gymnasium of new school, November 15
- 1989 — Present church dedicated by Bishop Daniel L. Ryan, November 26
Clergy, Staff and School Faculty
Parish leadership is provided by Pastor Father Daniel J. Bergbower, V.F., Parochial Vicar Father Troy P. Niemerg, and Deacon Roy A. Harley. Lay staff include Tami Dillon (parish secretary), Karen Ferguson (Liturgical Music Coordinator) and Cathy Becker (Director of Religious Education / OCIA and Faith Formation). St. Agnes School, led by Principal Rachel Cunningham, is staffed by Karen White (Administrative Assistant), Pam Kink (Secretary) and music teachers Jessica Smith (grades 5–8) and Ms. McCain (Pre-K 3 through grade 4, co-director of the Singing Aces Choir).
- Rev. Daniel J. Bergbower, V.F. — Pastor; Dean of the Springfield Deanery
- Rev. Troy P. Niemerg — Parochial Vicar (ordained May 25, 2024)
- Deacon Roy A. Harley — serving St. Agnes since 2007
- Tami Dillon — Parish Secretary
- Karen Ferguson — Liturgical Music Coordinator
- Cathy Becker — DRE, OCIA & Faith Formation
- Rachel Cunningham — School Principal
- Karen White — School Administrative Assistant
- Pam Kink — School Secretary
- Jessica Smith — Music Teacher (Grades 5–8)
- Ms. McCain — Music Teacher (Pre-K 3 – Grade 4) and Singing Aces Choir co-director
St. Agnes School (Preschool – Grade 8)
St. Agnes School provides a preschool-through-eighth-grade Catholic education, located at 251 N. Amos Ave. on the parish campus. The school describes its mission as fostering not only intellectual growth but also the spiritual, emotional, social and physical development of each student, and emphasizes that 'community is not simply a concept to be taught, but rather a reality to be lived.' Current enrollment is about 160 students in K–8 plus 34 preschoolers, and the school has continuously admitted new preschool-3, kindergarten and grades-1-through-8 families.
- Principal: Rachel Cunningham (217-793-1370)
- Programs: Preschool 3-yr-old, Kindergarten, Grades 1–8
- Current enrollment: ~160 K–8 students and ~34 preschoolers
- Conveniently located <10 minutes from downtown medical and government districts; a few blocks from Sacred Heart-Griffin High School; <5 minutes from Veterans Pkwy off Jefferson St.
- Faith tradition: continuous relationship with the Springfield Dominican Sisters since 1897
Music and Liturgy
Liturgical music at St. Agnes is coordinated by Karen Ferguson. The school maintains a robust music program with two teachers — Jessica Smith for grades 5–8 (general music) and Ms. McCain for Pre-K 3 through grade 4, who also co-directs the Singing Aces Choir. Parish liturgy is supported by a roster of liturgical volunteers including lectors, Mass greeters, altar servers, and the parish Church Choir.
- Liturgical Music Coordinator: Karen Ferguson
- Church Choir (parish)
- Singing Aces Choir (school, co-directed by Ms. McCain)
- School music teachers: Jessica Smith (5–8) and Ms. McCain (Pre-K 3 – Grade 4)
Faith Formation and OCIA (RCIA)
Faith Formation at St. Agnes, directed by Cathy Becker, includes a Family Formation program for school-aged children and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, the current name for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults / RCIA) for adults preparing to enter or complete their initiation into the Catholic Church. The parish website invites anyone 'curious about the Catholic faith, wanting to celebrate the sacraments or just finding a place to belong' to inquire through the Faith Formation Office at 217-793-1330.
- Director of Religious Education: Cathy Becker
- Family Formation program
- OCIA / RCIA for adult initiation
- Vacation Bible School
- Inquiry contact: Faith Formation Office, 217-793-1330
Parish Ministries, Organizations and Service
St. Agnes runs an active ministry life that includes liturgical roles (Church Choir, Lectors, Mass Greeters, Altar Servers), leadership councils (Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Finance Council), social fellowship (Parish Auction, Holy Name Society, Parents' Club, Men's Ministry Group) and parish-wide service (preparing funeral dinners). Each St. Agnes School family is asked to complete 20 hours of family service per year, with examples including VBS, RCIA support, and other parish-sponsored functions.
- Liturgical ministries: Church Choir, Lectors, Mass Greeters, Altar Servers
- Councils: Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Finance Council
- Organizations: Holy Name Society, Parents' Club, Men's Ministry Group
- Fellowship/Service: Parish Auction, Funeral dinner preparation
- Family Service requirement: 20 hours per family per year (June–May)
Diocese and Wider Church
St. Agnes Parish belongs to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, which is led by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki. Within the diocesan structure, Father Daniel J. Bergbower serves as Dean of the Springfield Deanery (since 2020) and sits on the College of Consultors. The parish's listing in the Diocesan Pastoral Directory reports 2,273 parishioners across 986 families and lists 160 K–8 students plus 34 preschoolers at St. Agnes School.
- Diocese: Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
- Diocesan bishop: Thomas John Paprocki
- Deanery: Springfield Deanery (pastor serves as Dean since 2020)
- Diocesan Pastoral Directory statistics: 2,273 parishioners, 986 families
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James Howard1888–1930
First pastor; served ~42 years until his death on June 16, 1930; ran the parish debt-free and founded the annual bazaar.
- Rev. William Costello1930–1942
Second pastor; served until his death in 1942.
- Monsignor Amos E. Giusti1942–1968
Third pastor; appointed April 21, 1942; celebrated his Golden Jubilee in 1963; retired 1968; died December 12, 1970.
- Rev. Robert McCarthybrief tenure after 1968
Succeeded Monsignor Giusti but resigned shortly thereafter due to poor health.
- Rev. James Caseyafter McCarthy–1975
Served as pastor until his death on September 26, 1975.
- Monsignor John McGrathafter Casey–1979
Had earlier served as associate pastor under Monsignor Giusti; initiated plans to relocate the parish; died January 1979 before the move.
- Monsignor Patrick WrightMarch 1979–June 30, 2004
Oversaw the sale of the original property to the State of Illinois and the move to 245 N. Amos Ave.; oversaw construction and 1989 dedication of the present church.
- Rev. Robert JallasJuly 1, 2004–June 2019
Led the parish and school for 15 years with a 'loving heart and compassionate spirit.'
- Rev. Daniel J. Bergbower, V.F.July 2019–present
Current pastor; ordained November 26, 1988; also serves as Dean of the Springfield Deanery (2020-present).