About St. Bernadette · Hermitage, Missouri
St. Bernadette Catholic Church is a small, family-friendly parish located on a 36-acre site in Hermitage, Hickory County, Missouri, on the southern edge of the Diocese of Jefferson City. Established on All Saints Day in 1973, the community is affectionately known as the 'Homemade Church in Hickory County' — a locally built, faith-filled parish that draws year-round residents and summer visitors to Pomme De Terre Lake. Weekend Mass, confession, Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation for children, and a Knights of Columbus council (Fr. Donald Powers Council #13786) shape a close-knit parish life rooted in service and fellowship.
- Established
- 1973
- Patron
- St. Bernadette (of Lourdes)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Benjamin Nwosu
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
St. Bernadette offers a close, family-like Catholic community in rural Hickory County where members and summer visitors alike are welcomed into the celebration of the Eucharist. Active ministries — RCIA, baptism and marriage preparation, the GIFT (Growing In Faith Together) religious education program, nursing-home visitation, funeral luncheon, and a Christ Renews His Parish retreat experience — give parishioners real ways to grow and serve. The Knights of Columbus Fr. Donald Powers Council #13786 anchors men's fellowship and a monthly Holy Hour for vocations, while monthly Eucharistic Adoration on First Friday keeps Christ at the center of parish life.
Mass times at St. Bernadette
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:40 p.m.
- Upon request
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month at 4:00 p.m. (Eucharistic Adoration)
- First Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. (Knights of Columbus Holy Hour, followed by the council meeting at 7:00 p.m.)
About St. Bernadette Parish
St. Bernadette Catholic Church is a small country parish serving the people of Hickory County and the many summer visitors who come to Pomme De Terre Lake, in the extreme southern edge of the Diocese of Jefferson City. Father Benjamin Nwosu, pastor, along with Deacon Kent Boettger, Parish Life Collaborator, lead the faithful in sharing 'faith and joy in Our Lord Christ Jesus.' The parish's anniversary is All Saints Day in 1973, when it was first established, and the community has been worshipping and growing together ever since.
- Founded November 1, 1973 (All Saints Day)
- Originally built by parishioners in 1976; expanded in late 1983
- Mass held outdoors at a Pomme De Terre Lake park area before the church was built
- Located on a 36-acre site on Hwy 254 in Hermitage
History & Pastor Succession
The parish's rich history page chronicles a long line of priests who have shepherded St. Bernadette since its 1973 founding. The earliest Masses were celebrated by Reverend Donald Green, C.PP.S., pastor at Warsaw, before Reverend Joseph Starmann became the parish's first resident pastor. Over the following five decades the parish welcomed pastors including David Buescher, Joseph Hoi, Donald Crosby, John J. Schmitz, Donald Powers, Jim Wilson, Paul Jones, Robert Fields (multiple terms), Tom McGrath, Dean Nimerichter, Daniel I.J. Leuckenotte, Algelus Minj, and Alexius Ekka.
- 1973: Reverend Donald Green C.PP.S. (occasional Masses) and Reverend Joseph Starmann (first pastor)
- 1987: Reverend Gregory Higley (temporary)
- 1988: Reverend David Buescher
- 1990: Reverend James Fuemmeler (Apr–Jun); then Reverend Joseph Hoi
- 1991: Reverend Donald Crosby
- 1994: Reverend John J. Schmitz
- 1996: Reverend Donald Powers (third pastor)
- 2000: Reverend Jim Wilson
- 2003: Reverend Paul Jones
- 2004 / 2009 / 2013: Reverend Robert Fields (multiple terms)
- 2005: Reverend Tom McGrath
- 2010: Reverend Dean Nimerichter
- 2011: Reverend Daniel I.J. Leuckenotte
- 2018: Reverend Algelus Minj; in September 2018 the parish became a church without a full-time resident priest
- 2019: Reverend Alexius Ekka
- 2022: Reverend Fr. Benjamin Nwosu (sacramental minister; serves three parishes)
Mass & Sacraments Schedule
Weekend worship centers on Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:00 p.m., with the Rosary prayed just beforehand at 3:30 p.m. Confessions are heard Saturday at 3:40 p.m. and at any time upon request. Eucharistic Adoration takes place on the First Friday of each month at 4:00 p.m., and the Knights of Columbus lead a Holy Hour for priests and vocations on the First Thursday at 6:00 p.m., followed by their council meeting at 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday Vigil Mass — 4:00 p.m. with Rosary at 3:30 p.m.
- Confessions — Saturday 3:40 p.m. and upon request
- Eucharistic Adoration — First Friday at 4:00 p.m.
- Knights of Columbus Holy Hour — First Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
- Diocese of Jefferson City Chancery: (573) 635-9127
Parish Life & Community
The parish describes itself as 'a rich, diverse community with gifts, talents and experiences that enrich each other; growing in friendship and faith as we worship and pray.' Membership, ministries, organizations and the Pastoral Parish Council offer multiple ways to get involved.
- Become a Member
- Parish Ministries
- Parish Organizations (Center of Charity, etc.)
- Pastoral Parish Council (advisory)
- Liturgical Resources
- Stewardship
Faith Formation — GIFT (Growing In Faith Together)
Parish Schools of Religion at St. Bernadette Church is known as GIFT — Growing In Faith Together. Classes begin each fall and include a shared family meal before class, with childcare offered so parents can attend adult sessions. Sacramental preparation for children uses the 'Blessed' curriculum, which the parish describes as 'a game-changer' for forming a personal relationship with Jesus. GIFT is offered on an as-needed basis; families and adults can enroll through the parish office.
- GIFT — Growing In Faith Together (PSR)
- 'Blessed' sacramental-preparation curriculum
- Family meal provided before each class
- Childcare available during adult classes
- Past RCIA audio and video classes also referenced
Ministries & Organizations
The parish supports a broad range of ministries for sacraments, prayer, service and fellowship, alongside standing organizations that animate parish life and direct outreach to the wider community.
- Baptism Preparation
- Marriage Preparation
- Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
- Parish School of Religion (GIFT)
- Confirmation Preparation
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Christ Renews His Parish
- Nursing Home Visitation
- Funeral Luncheon
- Parish Council & Finance Council
- Center of Charity
- Knights of Columbus — Fr. Donald Powers Council #13786
Knights of Columbus — Fr. Donald Powers Council #13786
The parish's Knights of Columbus council is named for Reverend Donald Powers, the parish's third pastor (1996). Council meetings are held on the 1st Thursday of each month at the St. Bernadette Parish Center at 7:00 p.m., preceded by a Holy Hour for priests and vocations at 6:00 p.m. Knights dress in regalia on every 5th Sunday (which falls on Saturday vigil Mass for this parish) and run the council's 4th Degree, fundraisers, and scholarships. Annual dues are $25.
- Council meetings: 1st Thursday, 7:00 p.m., Parish Center
- Holy Hour: 1st Thursday, 6:00 p.m. (for priests and vocations)
- Council address: Fr. Donald Powers Council #13786, Knights of Columbus, PO Box 167, Hermitage, MO 65668
- Parish Admin Assistant phone (messages): (417) 745-6361, 9–3 Mon–Thu
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hermitageknights/
- Annual dues: $25
Worship & Prayer Resources
Beyond the Mass, St. Bernadette offers the Rosary before Saturday Vigil Mass, regular Eucharistic Adoration, the Knights' Holy Hour for vocations, and a link to the Bishop's Monthly Prayer Intention. The parish encourages spending time with the Blessed Sacrament and joining these prayer opportunities throughout the year.
- The Holy Rosary
- Eucharistic Adoration (First Friday)
- Bishop's Monthly Prayer Intention
- Knights' Holy Hour for Priests and Vocations
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Bernadette by phone, email, or in person during limited office hours. The parish asks visitors to 'visit or become a member of our church to enjoy the celebration of the Eucharist,' and notes that in summer the pews fill with seasonal visitors drawn to Pomme De Terre Lake.
- Physical address: 24798 Hwy 254, Hermitage, MO 65668
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 167, Hermitage, MO 65668
- Parish Office Phone: (417) 745-6361
- Main email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday — 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Diocese of Jefferson City Chancery: (573) 635-9127
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Donald Green, C.PP.S.1973 (occasional Masses)
Pastor at Warsaw; said occasional Masses before St. Bernadette was established as a parish.
- Reverend Joseph Starmann1973
First pastor of St. Bernadette parish.
- Reverend Gregory Higley1987
Temporary pastor.
- Reverend David Buescher1988
- Reverend James Fuemmeler1990 (April to June)
- Reverend Joseph Hoi1990
- Reverend Donald Crosby1991
- Reverend John J. Schmitz1994
- Reverend Donald Powers1996
Third pastor; later honored by the naming of Knights of Columbus Council #13786.
- Reverend Jim Wilson2000
- Reverend Paul Jones2003
- Reverend Robert Fields2004, 2009, 2013
Returned to the parish multiple times as Pastor and Rector.
- Reverend Tom McGrath2005
- Reverend Dean Nimerichter2010
- Reverend Daniel I.J. Leuckenotte2011
- Reverend Algelus Minj2018
- Reverend Alexius Ekka2019
- Reverend Fr. Benjamin Nwosu2022–present
Sacramental Minister serving St. Bernadette, St. Ann (Warsaw) and Sts. Peter and Paul (Cole Camp).