About St. Andrew · Tipton, Missouri
St. Andrew Catholic Church is a Roman Rite parish in Tipton, Missouri, part of the Diocese of Jefferson City, with roots reaching back to around 1845 when German Catholic settlers gathered for Mass at a log church on what is still the parish cemetery. Recognized as an official parish in 1857 by the Archbishop of St. Louis, the parish is the spiritual home of roughly 285 families, runs its own Catholic elementary school (St. Andrew School, founded in the 1870s), and is currently led by Fr. Anthony Viviano. After an eight-month, parish-wide restoration that closed the church in August 2024, the newly renovated church reopened on Easter Sunday 2025 and its new main Altar was consecrated by Bishop W. Shawn McKnight on May 3, 2025.
- Established
- c. 1845 (recognized as a parish in 1857)
- Patron
- St. Andrew the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Anthony Viviano
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
St. Andrew is a small but active parish with deep roots in the Tipton community and a Catholic elementary school on the same campus, so families can grow in faith together from PSR and the school through adult formation like RCIA. Daily and weekend Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and frequent Confession times support a solid prayer life, while groups like the Knights of Columbus, Altar Society, Seven Sisters Apostolate, CYO, and the Parish and Finance Councils give parishioners concrete ways to serve. After its 2024–25 restoration — which returned the 1884 church 'back to its original majesty' — the parish is described by its pastor as a beautiful house of prayer intended to inspire 'the next generations to love and serve our Lord.'
Mass times at St. Andrew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 6:30 PM
- Saturday 5:15 PM
- Sunday 7:30 AM
- Available by appointment
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration (weekly — contact parish office for current schedule)
Welcome to St. Andrew Catholic Church
St. Andrew Catholic Church is a Roman Rite parish in Tipton, Missouri, in the Diocese of Jefferson City. The parish currently numbers about 285 families and shares its campus with St. Andrew School. The parish website describes its community as 'a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming community striving to help all who worship here to be better disciples of Jesus Christ.'
History of the Parish
Catholic life in the Tipton area began in the early 1840s with monthly Mass at the Veulemans home at Round Hill. Around 1845 a log church was built on land donated by Mrs. Andreas Bestgen, Sr. and her children, on what is still the parish cemetery; the mission was named St. Andrew in memory of their husband and father. The mission was formally recognized as a parish in 1857, and the present brick church was built in 1883–84, with stained glass, bells and a tower clock added in the following decades.
- c. 1845 – First log church built at the cemetery site
- 1857 – Recognized as a parish by the Archbishop of St. Louis
- 1865–66 – Log church moved into town; frame church built under Fr. Colmer
- 1877 – Sisters of the Precious Blood arrive; parish school continues operating
- 1883–84 – Brick church built; cornerstone May 3, 1883; dedicated June 12, 1884
- 1895–96 – Four bells (5,400 lbs) installed
- Shortly after 1900 – Stained-glass windows and tower clock added
- 1957 – Parish Centennial celebrated
- 1999 – Interior repainted with trompe-l'œil decoration by Max Autenrieb
- 2024–25 – Major restoration; church reopens Easter Sunday 2025
2024–2025 Church Restoration
Soon after Fr. Anthony Viviano's arrival, a parishioner discovered that the carpet, tile and subfloor beneath the 1970s-era confessional had been soaked. What began as a leak repair grew into a full restoration aimed at returning the 1884 church 'back to its original majesty.' The doors closed after the August 18, 2024 Mass; for eight months the parish worshipped in St. Andrew's School gym. After the Holy Saturday Mass on April 19, 2025, parishioners carried sacred furnishings back to the newly restored church, and the first Mass was celebrated on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. The new main Altar was consecrated by Bishop W. Shawn McKnight on May 3, 2025.
- Stained-glass windows cleaned, resealed and given new protective coverings
- Steeple repaired and re-slated with original-style slate tiles
- New Altar of Sacrifice, communion rail, pulpit, baptismal font and ambry
- Wall sconces for statuary and new sanctuary lighting
- Decorative painting by Conrad Schmidt Studios of New Berlin, Wisconsin
- Improved acoustics with a new sound system
- Two small restrooms combined into one larger accessible facility
- New HVAC with covers (final phase, fall 2025)
- Side altars installed August 29, 2025
Pastor and Staff
The parish is served by Fr. Anthony Viviano as pastor; he also serves Annunciation Parish in California, Missouri. A deacon and a parish secretary/bookkeeper assist him, along with the school principal and faculty at St. Andrew School.
- Rev. Fr. Anthony Viviano — Pastor
- Deacon Robert (Bob) Reinkemeyer
- Mrs. Diane Knipp — Parish Secretary & Bookkeeper
- Mr. Robert Reinkemeyer — Parish Secretary & Bookkeeper (listed on staff page)
Sacraments
Preparation is offered for each of the sacraments, with the parish website listing dedicated preparation tracks for Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).
- Baptism Preparation
- Confirmation Preparation
- Marriage Preparation
- Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment through the parish office
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Faith formation at St. Andrew includes both the parish school and a Parish School of Religion (PSR) for children who do not attend the parish school. Fr. Viviano also teaches a weekly Catechism class that alternates between St. Andrew and Annunciation in California, MO.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) — most Sundays, 9:00–10:00 AM
- Catechism Class with Fr. Viviano — Tuesdays at 6:30 PM
- RCIA for adults seeking initiation into the Church
- Bible studies and diocesan lay movements (Cursillo, Marriage Encounter, Teens Encounter Christ)
St. Andrew School
St. Andrew School shares the parish campus and serves Catholic students from the Tipton area. The school mission is to nurture the Catholic faith, promote holistic education and prepare responsible leaders in a Catholic environment. School staff are listed on the parish website and include a principal, full-time classroom teachers from preschool through 8th grade, and dedicated teachers for music/PE, art and middle-school subjects.
- Address: 118 E Cooper St, Tipton, MO 65081
- Phone: 660-433-2232
- Principal: Kara Higgins
- Secretary: Donna Raymond
- Preschool: Shawna Bax; Kindergarten: Rhonda Bookout
- 1st Grade: Jo Ann Huhmann; 2nd Grade: Joanna Kliethermes
- 3rd Grade: Emily Reinkemeyer; 4th Grade: Jessica Guymon
- 5th Grade: Carmen Nolting
- 6th Grade / 6th–8th Math & Literature: Gloria Heinen
- 7th Grade / 6th–8th Religion: Jane Bishop
- 8th Grade / 6th–8th SS & English: Julie Bailey
- 6th–8th Science: Seth Hutchison
- Music/PE, Art: Lisa C. Knipp
- School Cook: Carrie Long
- Has its own Advisory Council and active PTO
Parish Organizations and Councils
Beyond the liturgical and sacramental ministries, St. Andrew is supported by a wide range of parish organizations that handle prayer, fellowship, finances, facilities, and parish life.
- Pastoral Parish Council
- Finance Council
- Stewardship Committee
- Building and Grounds Committee (leader: Wade Petree)
- Knights of Columbus (leader: Evan Garber)
- Altar Society (leader: Carla Knipp)
- Seven Sisters Apostolate (leader: Carla Knipp)
- Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)
Contact and Visiting
The parish rectory/office is open 8 AM–5 PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and the pastor and staff are reachable by phone, email or through the parish Facebook page.
- Address: 106 W Cooper St, Tipton, MO 65081
- Parish Office Phone: 660-433-2162
- Email: [email protected]
- Diocese of Jefferson City Chancery: (573) 635-9127
- Facebook: facebook.com/st.andrewtipton
- Parish website: standrewtipton.diojeffcity.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. F. R. Kuper1877–1929 (52 years)
Built the present brick church; cornerstone laid May 3, 1883 by Bishop Hogan; church dedicated June 12, 1884.
- Rev. Metzdorfafter 1929
Served nine years.
- Rev. Breif
Served 27 years.
- Rev. Kramer
- Rev. Weigel
- Fr. Henry Reichc. 2008
Listed as current pastor in 2008 history.
- Fr. Bernard J. Mullen, C.P.P.S.
Listed in the parish history as a pastor of the parish.
- Rev. Fr. Anthony Vivianocurrent
Current pastor; led the 2024–2025 church restoration; also pastor of Annunciation Parish in California, MO.