About St. Denis · Benton, Missouri
St. Denis Parish is a small Roman Catholic community in Benton, Missouri, founded in 1904 and affiliated with the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. The parish grew out of a Catholic pioneer settlement from Canton, Ohio (originally from Schirrhine, Alsace-Lorraine) and is known for its parochial school, St. Denis Catholic School, which has served local families since 1909. Current pastor Rev. Daniel Belken, ordained in 2020, leads St. Denis alongside the neighboring St. Lawrence Parish in New Hamburg. The parish is committed to worship, authentic holiness, evangelization, and lifelong formation from infancy through adulthood.
- Established
- 1904
- Patron
- St. Denis (Dionysius), bishop and martyr
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel Belken
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
Why belong here
St. Denis offers a close-knit rural Catholic community where the Eucharist, lifelong formation, and family life are at the center of parish life. Worship is supported by a full complement of liturgical ministries (sacristans, lectors, extraordinary ministers, altar servers, choir), and the parish runs a faithful preschool-through-8th-grade Catholic school on the same campus. Because Fr. Daniel Belken serves both St. Denis and neighboring St. Lawrence, the two parishes offer a richer combined schedule of Masses, confessions, and Eucharistic adoration than either could alone.
Mass times at St. Denis
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Always available by appointment
- First Saturdays 8:30-9:00am (at St. Denis)
- Tuesdays 7:00-8:00pm (at St. Denis)
- Saturdays 3:15-3:45pm (at St. Lawrence, New Hamburg, Missouri)
Adoration times
- Friday Mornings 8:00am-11:00am
- Tuesday Evenings 7:00pm-9:00pm
Parish History
St. Denis Parish was founded in 1904 and is the spiritual heir of Catholic pioneers who came to southeast Missouri from Canton, Ohio, and originally from Schirrhine in Alsace-Lorraine. After years in Tywappity Bottoms and a first Benton church that was burned during the 'Know Nothing' era, the community built its present church thanks to gifts from Frank L. Diebold and Denis Diebold, and dedicated it to St. Dionysius (Denis). A parish school was begun almost immediately and has remained a core part of parish identity ever since.
- 1839: Log church dedicated to St. Francis de Sales
- 1841: Settlers relocate to Benton area, build log church near present Highway 61
- 1845: Benton church burned in 'Know Nothing Spirit' violence
- 1899: Frank L. Diebold wills six acres; Denis Diebold donates $1,000
- 1904: Church dedicated to St. Dionysius (Denis)
- 1909: Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate take over the parish school
Becoming Catholic (OCIA / RCIA)
St. Denis welcomes adults and children who want to learn about or enter the Catholic faith through classes running roughly September through the Easter Vigil, in preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation. The team — Gera, Cheri, and Elizabeth — teaches both the basics and deeper questions of the faith and welcomes anyone seeking to grow, whether or not they intend to become Catholic. The introductory meeting for the 2025–2026 sessions was scheduled for Sunday, September 8, 2025, at 5:00 pm in the St. Denis School Cafeteria.
- Adults and children both welcome
- Classes September through Easter Vigil
- RCIA Directors: Gera LeGrand and Cheri Vetter
- Contact: 573-545-3864 or [email protected]
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's 'Lifelong Formation' vision reaches from infancy through eighth grade in the parish school and continues for older youth and adults through the Parish School of Religion (PSR) and adult formation programs. Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation is coordinated through the parish office in cooperation with PSR catechists.
- Preschool and K-8 in the parish school
- PSR (Parish School of Religion) for sacramental prep
- Lifelong Formation emphasis from 'first moments of life to the last'
St. Denis Catholic School
St. Denis Catholic School, located at 105 N Winchester on the parish campus, offers Preschool and Kindergarten through 8th grade using a Memoria Press classical education model. Students attend Mass several times weekly, with regular Reconciliation, the Rosary, and weekly Eucharistic Adoration woven into the school day. Graduates consistently score high in aptitude testing, and the school markets what it calls the 'Saint Denis Difference' — students are known as Titans.
- Preschool and K-8
- Principal: Lindsy Wikle ([email protected])
- Phone: (573) 545-3017
- Website: https://stdenisbenton.eduk12.net
- Curriculum: Memoria Press classical model
- Weekly Mass, Reconciliation, Rosary, and Eucharistic Adoration
- Current enrollment approximately 80 students
Mass & Worship
Sunday Mass at St. Denis is celebrated at 7:00 am and 10:00 am, with weekday Mass on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings at 8:00 am. Because St. Denis and St. Lawrence (New Hamburg) share a pastor, the weekend Mass schedule is combined: Saturday 4:00 pm and Sunday 8:30 am are celebrated at St. Lawrence. There is no public Monday Mass at St. Denis.
- Sunday: 7:00 am and 10:00 am at St. Denis
- Wednesday–Friday: 8:00 am
- Saturday 4:00 pm and Sunday 8:30 am at St. Lawrence, New Hamburg
- Monday: No public Mass
Liturgical Ministries
The parish maintains the traditional complement of liturgical lay ministries so that worship is reverent, beautiful, and shared. Those who feel called are invited to serve.
- Sacristans
- Choir & Musicians
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Altar Servers
Sacraments
All seven sacraments are central to parish life at St. Denis. The parish office is the first point of contact for scheduling Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, or inquiries about Holy Orders. RCIA/OCIA preparation is offered for unbaptized adults and children as well as for baptized Christians seeking full communion with the Catholic Church.
- Baptism — appointment with the pastor
- Confirmation — through PSR / parish office
- Eucharist / First Communion — parish office
- Reconciliation — by appointment or scheduled times
- Anointing of the Sick — for the baptized needing Christ's healing
- Matrimony and Holy Orders — by contacting the parish office
Parish Staff & Leadership
Rev. Daniel Belken has served as pastor since March 2023 while also being assigned to St. Lawrence Parish in New Hamburg; he is also the Diocesan Director of Worship. Day-to-day parish operations are handled by the office manager, and the parish council is led by an elected president.
- Pastor: Rev. Daniel Belken
- Administrative Assistant / Office Manager: Lisa Spalding ([email protected])
- Bookkeeper: Marilyn Burford
- Parish Council President: Jeff Diebold
- School Principal: Lindsy Wikle
- School Board President: Glenn Collom
Visiting & Getting Involved
Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed at St. Denis. The parish's introductory OCIA meeting is open to anyone curious about the Catholic faith, and Sunday homilies by Fr. Belken are available online via his podcast 'Open Wide the Doors,' making the parish's teaching accessible beyond the church walls. Those wishing to support the parish financially or in service can reach out through the parish office or follow St. Denis on Facebook for current events.
- Office: 135 N Winchester St., Benton, MO 63736
- Phone: (573) 545-3864
- Email: [email protected]
- Homily podcast: openwidethedoors.podbean.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/StDenisCatholicChurch