About St. Bernard · Blackfoot, Idaho
St. Bernard's Catholic Church is a multicultural Catholic parish serving Blackfoot, Idaho and surrounding communities in Bingham County. Founded in 1903 by a small group of 30 families, it belongs to the Diocese of Boise City and today celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish, with a notable Spanish-language ministry serving the region's Hispanic population. The parish also operates mission chapels in nearby communities, most prominently Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Chapel at Fort Hall.
- Established
- 1903
- Patron
- St. Bernard of Clairvaux
- Rector
- Rev. Adrián Vázquez
- Diocese
- Diocese of Boise City
Why belong here
St. Bernard's is a multicultural Catholic community where Mass is celebrated in both English and Spanish, with daily Mass Tuesday through Friday and a Sunday Spanish Mass at 12:30 pm. The parish welcomes homebound members with visits from Fr. Adrian or Deacon Jeff, and offers Faith Formation for children and adults, RCIA for those becoming Catholic, and Confirmation classes. Its mission chapel at Fort Hall extends worship into the surrounding region, making it a real hub of Catholic life across Bingham County.
Mass times at St. Bernard
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm in the church
- By appointment — call the parish office
Parish History & Mission
St. Bernard's traces its origins to 1902–1903, when Father James Mooney of Idaho Falls joined Blackfoot Catholics to raise $3,900 for a new church on three lots donated by Mr. and Mrs. John Montgomery. By 1904 a white frame church stood at Main and Francis streets, built by about 30 families. Father Martin Baerloeher completed the work after Mooney's transfer to Moscow. Over the decades the parish extended its ministry to Fort Hall, Pingree, and Shelley through mission chapels — beginning with Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha in 1976 and continuing through St. John's at Pingree (dedicated 1981) and Our Lady of Guadalupe at Shelley (dedicated 1993, now closed).
- Founded 1903, with original building completed 1904
- St. Kateri Tekakwitha Mission — Fort Hall (1976)
- St. John's Chapel — Pingree (dedicated May 13, 1981)
- Our Lady of Guadalupe — Shelley (founded 1980, closed by Priests' Personnel Board)
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently shepherded by Fr. Adrián Vázquez, supported by Deacon Jeff, parish secretary Alice Almendarez, bookkeeper Kim Shafer, and maintenance lead Martin Moreno. Fr. Adrian and Deacon Jeff visit homebound parishioners to bring Communion when requested.
- Rev. Adrián Vázquez — Pastor (ext. 3)
- Deacon Jeff
- Alice Almendarez — Secretary (ext. 1)
- Kim Shafer — Bookkeeper (ext. 4)
- Martin Moreno — Maintenance
- Main phone: 208-785-1935
Faith Formation
Faith Formation at St. Bernard's accompanies parishioners of every age — from children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation to adults entering the Church through RCIA. Classes are offered in English and Spanish-preferred tracks, with two-year preparation available for First Communion.
- Becoming a Catholic (RCIA)
- Adult Faith Formation and Retreats
- Youth Faith Formation
- Confirmation Classes
- Safe Environment Training for children and parents
Becoming a Catholic (RCIA)
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) at St. Bernard's welcomes adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church. The parish provides classes, sponsor support, and the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
- Year-round inquiry and formation
- Contact the parish office to begin
Youth Faith Formation
The parish provides faith formation for children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation, including a two-year First Communion track and Confirmation classes. Registration forms on the parish website collect sacramental history, parent/guardian information, emergency contacts, and Safe Environment Training authorizations.
- First Communion — 1st and 2nd Year options
- Spanish-preferred track
- Confirmation preparation
- Family registration and certificates required
Sacraments
St. Bernard's prepares parishioners for the sacraments with practical guidance. Baptisms are celebrated on the 1st and 2nd Saturday of the month, with required documentation and a $80 fee. Marriages must be scheduled at least six months in advance and include marriage preparation classes. The parish also visits the homebound to bring Holy Communion.
- Baptism — 1st and 2nd Saturday of the month; $80 fee
- Marriage — schedule 6 months in advance; pre-marriage classes required
- First Communion and Confirmation — see Faith Formation
- Homebound visits — Fr. Adrian or Deacon Jeff
Missions & Outreach
Since 1976 St. Bernard's has planted mission chapels in surrounding communities to bring the sacraments closer to Catholics in rural Bingham County. The Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Chapel at Fort Hall remains active and hosts a Sunday morning English Mass. Historic missions at Pingree (St. John's) and Shelley (Our Lady of Guadalupe) shaped the parish's identity as a regional missionary community.
- Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Chapel, Fort Hall — active Sunday Mass at 8:00 am
- St. John's Chapel, Pingree — founded 1980, dedicated 1981
- Our Lady of Guadalupe, Shelley — founded 1980, dedicated 1993, now closed
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are welcomed to attend any Mass, especially the bilingual and Spanish celebrations that reflect the multicultural character of St. Bernard's. The parish office can be reached at (208) 785-1935, and personal Mass intentions, baptism and marriage preparation, and homebound visits are all coordinated through the office.
- Phone: 208-785-1935
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 584 W. Sexton St., Blackfoot, ID 83221
- Website: stbernardsblackfoot.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James Mooney1902–early 1903
Priest from Idaho Falls who provided monthly Masses for Blackfoot and helped organize the original building committee. Transferred to Moscow early in 1903.
- Father Martin Baerloeher1903–
Mooney's successor who saw to the completion of the first church by 1904.
- Father James Hallissey
Led the founding of the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha mission at Fort Hall in 1976.
- Father Xavier
Present with Bishop Treinen at the signing of the Pingree deed in May 1980.
- Father William Carrol
Administrator at St. Bernard's who requested bilingual Sunday Masses from Bishop Brown for the Shelley mission.