About St. Clement · Bowling Green, Missouri
St. Clement Parish is a Catholic parish located at 21509 Hwy 161 in Bowling Green, Pike County, Missouri, and is part of the Diocese of Jefferson City. It serves as the central parish for the associated parishes of Clarksville (Sunday 7 am Mass) and Louisiana (Sunday 8:30 am Mass), and operates St. Clement School (K-8) and a preschool on the same campus.
- Established
- 1871
- Patron
- St. Clement
- Rector
- Fr. Anthony Onyeihe
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
St. Clement is a long-established Pike County Catholic community (founded 1871) that worships in a Gothic-design church and offers daily and weekend Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration with the Flame of Love Rosary, monthly Pro-Life Rosary, and a Parish School of Religion for public-school children. Families can send their children to St. Clement School (K-8) and its on-site preschool, while adults can explore becoming Catholic through the OCIA program or join the Youth Group, Knights of Columbus, or parish fundraising events like the annual Fiesta for Faith dinner/auction and Knights of Columbus picnic.
Mass times at St. Clement
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:45 pm – 5:15 pm (per parish bulletin)
- Saturday 4:30 pm – 5:15 pm or by appointment (per diocesan listing)
Adoration times
- Tuesday — Flame of Love Rosary and Prayers with Adoration, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm (following 6:00 pm Mass)
- First Friday Monthly Rosary, Adoration & Benediction at 6:30 pm (e.g., September 5, 2025)
About St. Clement Parish
St. Clement Parish is the central Catholic parish in Pike County, Missouri, founded in 1871 and located on Highway 161 outside Bowling Green. It is associated with the parishes of Clarksville and Louisiana, sharing pastoral ministry among the three communities. The parish campus includes the present Gothic-design church, St. Clement School (K-8), a preschool, a rectory, and the community center/parking lot added in 1974. The parish belongs to the Central Deanery of the Diocese of Jefferson City.
Parish History
St. Clement traces its origin to August 11, 1871, when Archbishop Peter Kenrick of St. Louis obtained 10 acres in Pike County for a new Catholic church. The first church was completed in 1873, the first pastor (Fr. Charles Brockmeir) was appointed on November 18, 1882, and the parish school opened the following year. The 1898 Gothic-design church, the 1924 electrified school, and the 1974 building program — which produced the present church, rectory, school, community center and parking lot — each mark major chapters in the parish's growth. The community marked its 125th anniversary on November 23, 1996.
- 1871 — Parish established; Archbishop Peter Kenrick obtains 10 acres
- 1873 — First church building completed
- 1882 — Fr. Charles Brockmeir appointed first pastor (Nov. 18)
- 1883 — Parish school begun
- 1884 — Rectory built
- 1898 — Gothic-design church dedicated May 11 (planned by Fr. Aertker)
- 1924 — New school built; electricity added by Fr. Henry Minges
- 1947–48 — Parish buildings renovated
- 1974 — Present church, new rectory, new school, community center, credit union, parking lot completed
- 1996 — 125th anniversary celebrated Nov. 23
Clergy & Staff
He is assisted by three permanent deacons — Deacon Mark Dobelmann, Deacon Wayne Korte, and Deacon Chad Freie. Parish staff includes Ali Jacyna (Parish Secretary) and Linda Henderson (School Principal).
- Deacon Mark Dobelmann
- Deacon Wayne Korte
- Deacon Chad Freie
- Ali Jacyna — Parish Secretary
- Linda Henderson — Principal
Mass & Devotions Schedule
Weekend Masses at St. Clement are celebrated Saturday evening at 5:30 pm (Vigil) and Sunday morning at 10:30 am. St. Clement's pastor also serves associated parishes in Clarksville (Sunday 7:00 am) and Louisiana (Sunday 8:30 am). Weekday Masses rotate Monday through Friday, and a First Saturday Mass is offered at 8:00 am. The Tuesday evening block centers on a Pro-Life Rosary, Mass, and Flame of Love Rosary with Adoration; a monthly First Friday gathering includes Rosary, Adoration, and Benediction.
- Sat Vigil: 5:30 pm
- Sun: 10:30 am (Clarksville 7:00 am; Louisiana 8:30 am)
- Mon 8:00 am · Tue 6:00 pm · Wed 7:00 am · Thu & Fri 11:15 am
- First Saturday: 8:00 am
- Confessions: Sat 4:45–5:15 pm
- Tue Pro-Life Rosary 5:30 pm; Mass 6:00 pm; Flame of Love Rosary & Adoration 6:30–7:30 pm
- First Friday Rosary, Adoration & Benediction at 6:30 pm
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is the educational and spiritual formation program by which anyone above the age of 13 who is not Catholic may explore the Catholic faith. The process begins with an 'inquiry' period of prayer and learning, moves into the 'catechumenate' for deeper formation, and culminates with the candidates entering the Elect on the First Sunday of Lent and receiving the sacraments at the Easter Vigil.
- Inquiry phase
- Catechumenate phase
- Rite of Election (First Sunday of Lent)
- Initiation at the Easter Vigil
- Contact: Fr. Ussher at the parish office, 573-324-5545
Parish School of Religion (PSR)
Religion classes are offered for children in grades 1–6 who attend public schools. Classes meet on Sundays from 9:15 am to 10:15 am during the 2025–26 school year, with a $15 per-student fee covering books and supplies. Registration forms, a parent/student handbook, and the calendar are available on the parish website.
- Grades 1–6
- Sundays 9:15 am – 10:15 am (2025–26)
- Fee: $15 per student for books/supplies
- PSR Director: Robie Orf, 573-470-1223
Youth Group Ministry
The St. Clement Youth Group engages young people ages 12 and older through education, reflection, and service to others in the community. The group meets once a month during the school year (August–May) and serves in various ministries at one Mass per month, typically the last Sunday.
- Ages 12+
- Meets monthly (Aug–May)
- Monthly liturgical service (usually last Sunday)
- Contacts: Becky Turner (573-470-6853), Kathleen Berry (573-470-9812)
St. Clement School & Pre-School
St. Clement School, located at 21493 Hwy 161, Bowling Green, MO, serves students from Pre-School through Grade 8 and shares a campus with the parish church. The current principal is Linda Henderson, an alumna whose father and sons also graduated from St. Clement School. The school office can be reached at 573-324-2166; the pre-school at 573-324-5866.
- St. Clement School (K-8): 573-324-2166
- Pre-School: 573-324-5866
- Principal: Linda Henderson ([email protected])
- Staff includes teachers for Grades K–8, Title I/Music, Resource, PE, school nurse, kitchen staff, janitorial/maintenance, and aftercare/bus drivers
Sacraments
Information about the parish's seven sacraments is published in the parish bulletin. Baptisms are arranged by calling the pastor, and marriages must be scheduled six months in advance by appointment with the pastor. The Anointing of the Sick is available by request, with parishioners asked to contact Fr. Ussher before going to the hospital if at all possible.
- Baptism — call the Pastor for arrangements
- Marriage — schedule six months in advance with the pastor
- Anointing of the Sick — contact Fr. Ussher first
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults
Parish Life & Fundraisers
St. Clement maintains an active community life beyond the liturgy, including the annual Knights of Columbus Picnic (fried chicken dinner, games, beer garden, music) and the parish dinner/auction 'Fiesta for Faith.' Other annual events include the 16th Annual Golf Tournament at Vandalia Country Club and ongoing monthly Rosary/Adoration/Benediction evenings on First Fridays.
- Knights of Columbus Picnic (summer)
- Fiesta for Faith Parish Dinner/Auction
- Annual Golf Tournament at Vandalia Country Club
- First Friday Rosary, Adoration & Benediction
- Diocesan Online Donation Portal & electronic giving
Visiting & Contact
Newcomers and those who have recently moved to the area are encouraged to register with the parish; registration forms are available on the parish website or by contacting the parish office. The parish office is open Tuesday through Thursday, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm, and Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm, during the school year (August 15 – May 15).
- Parish office: 573-324-5545 · fax: 573-324-5155
- Pastor cell (emergencies): 636-251-2088
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Tue–Thu 8 am – 3 pm (and Mon–Fri during school year)
- New parishioner registration forms available online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Charles Brockmeir1882–
First appointed pastor of St. Clement on November 18, 1882; oversaw the start of the parish school in 1883 and the building of the rectory in 1884.
- Fr. Aertker
Planned the Gothic-design church that was dedicated on May 11, 1898.
- Fr. Henry Minges1924
Built a new school building in 1924 and brought electricity to the parish complex.