About St. Anselm · Creve Coeur, Missouri
Saint Anselm Parish is a Catholic community in Creve Coeur, Missouri, within the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Established in August 1966 by Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter, the parish is uniquely situated on the campus of the Abbey of Saint Mary and Saint Louis — a Benedictine monastery from Ampleforth Abbey in England — and shares the famous modernist Abbey Church designed by Gyo Obata of Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum. Administered by the Benedictine community of Saint Louis Abbey since 1981, the parish is now led by Father Aidan McDermott, O.S.B., and offers daily and Sunday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, faith formation for children and youth, and a full sacramental and pastoral life in the heart of West County.
- Established
- 1966
- Patron
- St. Anselm of Canterbury
- Rector
- Father Aidan McDermott, O.S.B.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
Saint Anselm is a missionary Benedictine parish whose worship is anchored in the architectural marvel of the Abbey Church — a modernist landmark designed by Gyo Obata — and sustained by a rhythm of daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and frequent opportunities for Reconciliation. Families will find a complete faith-formation pathway through PSR (1st–8th grade), Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Life Teen, EDGE middle-school ministry, and Totus Tuus, while adults can journey toward full initiation through OCIA (formerly RCIA), Confirmation preparation, and small-group spiritual ministries. Set on the 150-acre grounds of Saint Louis Abbey in Creve Coeur, the parish combines the beauty of Benedictine liturgical tradition with the warmth of a welcoming West County community.
Mass times at St. Anselm
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 7:00 AM – 7:25 AM (Abbey Church)
- Sunday 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM (Abbey Church)
- Sunday 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM (Parish Center)
- Sunday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Parish Center)
- Tuesday 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM (Abbey Church)
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM (Abbey Church)
- Saturday 30 minutes after the 7:30 AM Mass (Abbey Church)
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM (Abbey Church)
- If Tuesday or Thursday is a Holy Day of Obligation, Confessions are in the Parish Center
Adoration times
- Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:15 AM (immediately following the 6:45 AM Mass) until 5:00 PM in the Parish Center Chapel
Mission and History
Saint Anselm Parish was established in August 1966 by Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter, who appointed Reverend Robert P. Slattery as the founding pastor for the rapidly growing Catholic population of West St. Louis County. The parish's origin story is intertwined with the Benedictine community of the Abbey of Saint Mary and Saint Louis, whose first monks arrived from Ampleforth Abbey in England in October 1955 and whose modernist Abbey Church was completed in 1962. Father Columba Cary-Elwes, the founding superior, invited the new parish to use the monastic church until a separate parish church could be built; that arrangement became permanent when the Archdiocese and the Benedictines signed formal agreements in May 1968 constituting the Parish of St. Anselm on the Priory grounds.
- Established August 1966 by Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter
- First pastor: Reverend (later Monsignor) Robert P. Slattery
- Parish formally constituted on Priory grounds in May 1968
- Parish House built 1972; Parish Center added later (offices, classrooms, chapel)
- Parish administration transferred to the Benedictines in 1981
Abbey Church Architecture
The Abbey Church of Saint Mary and Saint Louis, designed by Gyo Obata of Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum with Pier Luigi Nervi as consulting engineer, was completed in 1962 and remains a landmark of American modernist sacred architecture. Its circular plan, parabolic shells, and translucent Kalwall walls flood the interior with soft, alabaster-like daylight — an effect Obata described by saying, 'I designed the exterior to be black, but the strength of the sunlight allows the interior to be soft white light.'
- Architect: Gyo Obata, Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK)
- Structural consultant: Pier Luigi Nervi
- Completed 1962; first thin-shell concrete church of its type in North America
- Two sets of parabolic concrete shells in 20 identical bays, 32-foot bell tower
- Kalwall translucent fiberglass panels glow from within, appear black outside
- Designated a modernist masterpiece of midcentury St. Louis
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Men and women interested in the Catholic faith journey together through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly the RCIA), preparing to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Inquiries can be made through the parish office or by submitting the Adult Inquirer Information Form on the parish website.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Sacramental preparation: Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation
- Contact: [email protected] or 314-878-2120 ext. 160
Faith Formation for Children
Children of registered parishioners from 1st through 8th grade receive Catholic formation through the Parish School of Religion (PSR), which meets Sundays from 9:15 AM to 10:45 AM during the school year. Younger children participate in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium, while 2nd-grade students prepare for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Registration for the 2026–2027 PSR year is open, with a $140 fee; financial hardship is never a barrier.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR), 1st–8th grade, Sundays 9:15–10:45 AM
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)
- First Reconciliation and Holy Communion preparation
- Coordinator: Carol Wilmes — [email protected], ext. 170
- Fee $140; financial assistance available — contact Fr. Aidan
Youth Ministry
Saint Anselm's youth ministry offers age-appropriate faith formation, fellowship, and sacramental preparation for middle-school and high-school teens. The EDGE program serves middle-schoolers, while Life Teen serves high-schoolers, with Totus Tuus and Christmas Camp as summer highlights. 8th-grade teens prepare for Confirmation each spring (registration fee $275) with strong family involvement.
- EDGE — middle-school ministry
- Life Teen — high-school ministry
- Confirmation preparation for 8th graders (fee $275)
- Totus Tuus summer program
- Christmas Camp
- Director of Youth Ministry: Courtney Rockamann — [email protected], ext. 180
Music & Liturgy
Music at Saint Anselm is shaped by its Benedictine setting, with two directors coordinating music for the Abbey Church and the Parish Chapel. The Parish Chapel Choir is a centerpiece of parish liturgical life.
- Carmen Hinze — Director of Parish Chapel Music ([email protected], ext. 230)
- Andrzej Zahorski — Director of Music ([email protected], ext. 140)
- Parish Chapel Choir
- Music Directory Board
Parish Staff
The parish is supported by a team of clergy, directors, and administrative staff listed on the parish's Staff page.
- Father Aidan McDermott, O.S.B. — Pastor (ext. 120, [email protected])
- Father Gerard Garrigan, O.S.B. — Pastor Emeritus (Sacramental Emergencies: 314-606-4186)
- Deacon Charlie Durban — Senior Permanent Deacon (ext. 300, [email protected])
- Courtney Rockamann — Director of Youth Ministry (ext. 180, [email protected])
- Carol Wilmes — Coordinator of Religious Education (ext. 170, [email protected])
- Carmen Hinze — Director of Parish Chapel Music (ext. 230)
- Andrzej Zahorski — Director of Music (ext. 140)
- Cathy Stewart — Office Administrator (ext. 160, [email protected])
- Karen Fisher — Administrative Assistant (ext. 100, [email protected])
- Josephine Hammett — Communications Coordinator (ext. 110, [email protected])
- Anthony Zarbo — Maintenance (ext. 240, [email protected])
- After-Hours Emergency: 314-456-1302
From His Grace, For His Glory — Capital Campaign
Launched publicly in 2025, 'From His Grace, For His Glory: A Campaign for Renewal and Worship' is an $8.5 million effort to revitalize the Parish Center and Chapel so these essential spaces remain welcoming, accessible, and rooted in Catholic identity. Fr. Aidan has framed the campaign as 'more than a renovation — it is renewal of our mission: to deepen faith, foster belonging, and pass on the treasures of our tradition to future generations.'
- $8.5 million parish campaign
- Renovation of the Parish Center and Parish Chapel
- Goals: stable, beautiful, permanent parish chapel; improved fellowship spaces; upgraded infrastructure
- United effort of parish leadership, councils, staff, the Abbey, and the Archdiocese
Visit, Contact & Emergencies
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at 530 S Mason Road, Creve Coeur, on the campus of the Abbey of Saint Mary and Saint Louis. Sacramental emergencies are answered by Fr. Garrigan (314-606-4186) or the after-hours emergency line (314-456-1302).
- Address: 530 S Mason Rd, Creve Coeur, MO 63141
- Phone: 314-878-2120
- Email: [email protected]
- Fax: 314-878-2199
- Sacramental Emergencies: 314-606-4186
- After-Hours Emergency: 314-456-1302
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Robert P. Slattery1966–1981
Founding pastor appointed by Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter; became Monsignor; built Parish House and Parish Center; appointed Director of Catholic Charities in March 1981.
- Father Timothy Horner, O.S.B.1981–1995
First Benedictine pastor, appointed by Archbishop May after parish administration transferred to the Benedictine community in accord with the 1968 agreements.
- Father Benedict Allin, O.S.B.1995–1996
Served as Parish Administrator for one year beginning July 1, 1995.
- Father Gerard Garrigan, O.S.B.1996–2012
Appointed July 7, 1996; later named Pastor Emeritus.
- Father Michael Brunner, O.S.B.2012–2019
Installed as pastor by Archbishop Robert J. Carlson in November 2012.
- Father Aidan McDermott, O.S.B.2019–present
Installed by Bishop Mark S. Rivituso on January 23, 2019; current pastor.