About St. Aloysius · Paris, Illinois
St. Aloysius is a small mission church in the rural North Arm community of eastern Edgar County, Illinois, located in Hunter Township about ten miles northeast of Paris. As a mission church it is dependent on St. Mary's Parish in Paris, sharing its pastor and most administrative resources. According to parish records, the community traces its origins to 1817, making it one of the oldest Catholic outposts in the Springfield diocese, and the present brick church — built in 1900 — is still in regular use, with 57 parishioners from 34 families worshiping there.
- Established
- 1817
- Patron
- Named for the community's pioneer founder Aloysius Brown (1817), not formally dedicated to a canonized saint.
- Rector
- Rev. Aloysius Okey Ndeanaefo
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Why belong here
St. Aloysius offers a Sunday morning Mass in a small, deeply historic rural mission — a tight-knit community of about 57 parishioners across 34 families who worship in a brick church built in 1900 with original altars and communion rails. As a mission of St. Mary's Parish in Paris, it shares the same pastor and diocesan resources while retaining its own quiet, country-chapel character. Visitors and parishioners alike are drawn by the site's 1817 pioneer heritage, its Edgar County Historical Society marker, and the simple Sunday 7:00 a.m. Mass celebrated in English.
Mass times at St. Aloysius
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment
History of St. Aloysius Church
St. Aloysius, North Arm, has roots stretching back to 1817, when pioneers from Bardstown, Kentucky traveled north through Vincennes and settled at the north arm of Coal Creek in eastern Edgar County. The community grew around its leader, Aloysius Brown, and soon outgrew the parlor of his home, prompting the building of a log church and a small cemetery behind it. A second church was erected in 1837 as the congregation continued to expand, and the community thrived through the 1840s.
- 1817: Pioneers led by Aloysius Brown settle at the north arm of Coal Creek.
- A log church and cemetery are established behind the site of Brown's home.
- 1837: A second, larger church is erected.
- Late 1840s: Placement of intersecting railroad tracks in Paris shifts the population center.
- 1858: Father Thomas Ryan moves from St. Aloysius to St. Mary's in Paris; St. Aloysius becomes a mission church.
- 1900: The present brick church is built, reusing original altars and communion rails.
- August 1991: Edgar County Historical Society dedicates a historical marker at the church.
Buildings & Grounds
The present sanctuary is a brick church constructed in 1900, notable for retaining the original altars and communion rails of the earlier sanctuary. A second structure in the churchyard once served as the rectory but was later remodeled into a parish hall. A historic cemetery lies behind the church.
- Brick church built 1900
- Original altars and communion rails preserved in the current church
- Former rectory converted into a parish hall
- Cemetery behind the church, established with the original log structure
Clergy & Staff
St. Aloysius is served as a mission of St. Mary's Parish in Paris. The pastor resides at St. Mary's and travels to North Arm for the weekly Sunday Mass.
- Rev. Aloysius Okey Ndeanaefo — Pastor (residence: St. Mary, Paris)
- Jerri Ricketts — Director of Music
Mass & Sacraments
St. Aloysius celebrates one weekly Mass on Sunday morning. The Sacrament of Penance is available by appointment. As a small mission, the parish does not publish a more detailed liturgical schedule beyond this single Sunday offering.
- Sunday Mass: 7:00 a.m.
- Sacrament of Penance: by appointment
Music Ministry
Music for the Sunday Mass is led by Director of Music Jerri Ricketts, who is listed in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois pastoral directory as the parish's music leader.
- Director of Music: Jerri Ricketts
Parish Mission & Relationship to St. Mary's, Paris
St. Aloysius operates as a mission church dependent on St. Mary's Parish in Paris, sharing its pastor, administrative offices, and contact channels. The parish's page is hosted on the St. Mary's Paris website, and its sacramental records, mailings, and bulletins are coordinated through the main St. Mary's parish office at 528 N. Main St., Paris.
- Mission church of St. Mary's Parish, Paris
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 577, Paris, IL 61944-0577
- Office line: (217) 466-3355 (St. Mary's parish office)
- Rectory: (217) 251-3399
Visiting & Contact
Visitors and prospective parishioners are encouraged to attend the Sunday 7:00 a.m. Mass or contact the parish office through St. Mary's Paris. Inquiries about Mass times, sacraments, and parish registration can be directed to the parish office phone or email below.
- Church address: 18925 E. 1350 Rd., Paris, IL 61944
- Office phone: (217) 466-3355
- Email: [email protected]
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 577, Paris, IL 61944-0577
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Thomas Ryanthrough 1858
Moved from St. Aloysius to St. Mary's Church in Paris in 1858 when the Bishop of Springfield created a parish in Paris.