About St. Anne · Dixon, Illinois
St. Anne Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 1104 N. Brinton Avenue in Dixon, Illinois, part of the Diocese of Rockford. The parish is dedicated to Saint Anne, the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus, whose feast is celebrated on July 26. St. Anne offers multiple weekly Masses, a Catholic school (St. Anne School), religious education for K-8 children, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those entering the Church, and a range of parish ministries. The parish is served by Rev. Timothy J. Draper as pastor and is supported by active Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Education Commission, and Buildings and Grounds Commission lay leadership.
- Patron
- Saint Anne (mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Timothy J. Draper
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rockford
Why belong here
St. Anne is a welcoming north-side Dixon parish where families can grow together in faith through weekday and Sunday Masses, a parish school, and K-8 religious education. Adults seeking to become Catholic or complete their initiation sacraments find a structured OCIA process, and parishioners can join ministries spanning religious education, outreach, liturgy, buildings and grounds, and parish governance. The community gathers under the patronage of Saint Anne — a model of faithful motherhood — and is grounded in the parish motto of Faith, Hope, and Love.
Mass times at St. Anne
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM (per CatholicChurchTimes listing)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- First Saturdays 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
About St. Anne Parish
St. Anne Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Rockford, located at 1104 N. Brinton Avenue on the north side of Dixon, Illinois. The parish serves families of the Dixon area with weekly Masses, a parish school, K-8 religious education, sacramental preparation, and a range of lay-led ministries. The parish community gathers under the motto 'Faith. Hope. Love.' and is dedicated to Saint Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- Diocese of Rockford
- Parish motto: Faith. Hope. Love.
- Patroness: Saint Anne (feast day July 26)
Our Patroness — Saint Anne
The parish is dedicated to Saint Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to tradition, an angel promised a child to Anne and Joachim despite their old age, and prophesied that their child would be known throughout the world. Mary was consecrated to God from her birth and remained a virgin all her life. Anne and Joachim raised Mary with love and dedication to God. Saint Anne is venerated as an amazing role model of motherhood and is the patron saint of grandparents and infertile couples. Her memorial is celebrated on July 26.
- Patron of grandparents
- Patron of infertile couples
- Memorial: July 26
History of St. Anne Church
Catholic life in Dixon dates to before 1854, when the Rev. Mark Anthony would travel from LaSalle to celebrate Mass in private homes for the area's scattered Catholics. St. Patrick's parish was organized in 1854 by the Rev. James Fitzgerald, sent by Bishop Anthony O'Regan of Chicago, and a frame church was built on Highland Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets. As Dixon's Catholic population grew, especially on the north side, St. Anne's was established as a separate parish, with Dominican Sisters from Sinsinawa, Wisconsin staffing the parish school. By the early 1950s the parish supported a Knights of Columbus council, adult and children's choirs, and a Catholic Women's Club active in both church and school life, with about 75 north-side children attending the parish school. St. Anne continues that tradition today with its parish school, religious education program, and active parish councils.
- Roots in St. Patrick's parish (organized 1854)
- Dominican Sisters from Sinsinawa, Wisconsin staffed the school
- Knights of Columbus council present by 1951
- Catholic Women's Club supported church and school
Education Ministries
St. Anne's education ministries support the faith formation of children and adults of the parish. Religious Education Catechists teach K-8 children for about two hours per week, with materials provided and training arranged through the parish. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) Team walks with (1) unbaptized adults seeking Baptism and full initiation, (2) Christians from other traditions seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, and (3) baptized Catholics who have not yet received Confirmation and/or First Holy Communion. Training and appointment by the pastor are required for both roles.
- Religious Education Catechist (K-8, ~2 hrs/week)
- First Holy Communion preparation
- OCIA Team Member
- Contact: parish office, (815) 288-3131 ext. 105
Outreach & Service Ministries
Parishioners serve the wider Dixon community through the parish's Outreach & Service Ministries. Specific programs and volunteer opportunities are listed on the parish website's Outreach & Service Ministries page.
- Outreach & Service Ministries (see parish website)
Pastoral Council
The Pastoral Council advises the pastor on the life and mission of the parish. Its members include Mrs. Terri Swegle (Chairperson), Mrs. Kathy Lalley (Vice Chairperson), Mrs. Linda Costliow (Secretary), Mr. Skip Farrell, and Mr. R.J. Shannon, with Miss Alexandra Binkley (Bookkeeper) serving ex officio. The council operates under the parish's Pastoral Council Constitution and By-Laws.
- Chairperson: Mrs. Terri Swegle
- Vice Chairperson: Mrs. Kathy Lalley
- Secretary: Mrs. Linda Costliow
- Members: Mr. Skip Farrell, Mr. R.J. Shannon
Finance Council
The Finance Council oversees the temporal affairs of the parish. Its members are Mrs. Peggy Carlson (Chairperson and Finance Council Liaison), Mr. Chad Nicklaus (Vice Chairperson), Mrs. Marlene Cain (Secretary), and Mr. Chip Cordell. The council operates under the parish's Finance Council Constitution and By-Laws.
- Chairperson: Mrs. Peggy Carlson
- Vice Chairperson: Mr. Chad Nicklaus
- Secretary: Mrs. Marlene Cain
- Member: Mr. Chip Cordell
Education Commission
The Education Commission guides the parish's educational mission, with ex officio representation from Mrs. Talarie Bilharz (School Principal) and Miss Alexandra Binkley (Coordinator of Religious Education). Members include Mrs. Laura Ford (Chairperson), Mrs. Jeanne Fuger (Vice Chairperson), Mr. Eric Brown (Secretary), Mrs. Kimberly Conderman, and Mrs. Kaile Valdez. The commission operates under the parish's Education Commission Constitution and By-Laws.
- School Principal (ex officio): Mrs. Talarie Bilharz
- Coordinator of Religious Education (ex officio): Miss Alexandra Binkley
- Chairperson: Mrs. Laura Ford
- Vice Chairperson: Mrs. Jeanne Fuger
- Secretary: Mr. Eric Brown
Buildings and Grounds Commission
The Buildings and Grounds Commission cares for the physical plant of the parish campus. Members include Mr. Kevin Lalley (Chairperson and Finance Council Liaison), Mr. Kevin Tressel (Vice Chairperson), Mr. Greg Cavanaugh (Secretary), Mr. Tom McBride, and Mr. Mark Swegle, with Miss Alexandra Binkley (Bookkeeper) serving ex officio.
- Chairperson: Mr. Kevin Lalley
- Vice Chairperson: Mr. Kevin Tressel
- Secretary: Mr. Greg Cavanaugh
- Members: Mr. Tom McBride, Mr. Mark Swegle
St. Anne School
St. Anne Parish operates its own parish school, with Mrs. Talarie Bilharz serving as School Principal. The school is a defining ministry of the parish and the primary place where many north-side Dixon Catholic families encounter daily faith formation alongside academics.
- Principal: Mrs. Talarie Bilharz
- Parish school serving north-side Dixon
Sacraments
St. Anne prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments. Preparation for First Holy Communion and OCIA is offered through the Education Ministries; the Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard Saturday afternoons and by appointment; Baptisms and Marriages are arranged through the parish office by appointment with the pastor. Catholics who have not received Confirmation or First Holy Communion are welcomed into the OCIA process to complete their initiation.
- Baptism — by appointment with the pastor
- First Holy Communion — preparation required
- Confirmation — preparation through OCIA if needed
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM and by appointment
- Marriage — by appointment with the parish priest
- OCIA for adults entering or completing initiation
Visit & Contact
St. Anne welcomes visitors and new parishioners at its north-side Dixon campus. The parish office can be reached by phone at (815) 288-3131 or by email at [email protected]. The most up-to-date bulletin, Mass times, and ministry information are published on the parish website.
- Address: 1104 N. Brinton Avenue, Dixon, Illinois 61021
- Phone: (815) 288-3131
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.stanneparishdixon.org/