About St. Dominic · Breese, Illinois
St. Dominic Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Breese, Illinois, founded in 1858 by German immigrant families and now serving approximately 900 families. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Belleville and is part of a tri-parish partnership with St. Augustine in Breese and St. Anthony in Beckemeyer. Its current Gothic Revival church building, completed in December 1869 from local stone, lime, and sand, still unites the faith community today, and St. Dominic shares the campus with All Saints Academy, a PreK-8 diocesan Catholic school.
- Established
- 1858
- Patron
- St. Dominic (de Guzmán)
- Rector
- Very Rev. James Nall, J.C.L.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville
Why belong here
St. Dominic is a 900-family Catholic community in Clinton County whose roots run back to 1858, blending small-town belonging with a strong tri-parish partnership (St. Augustine in Breese and St. Anthony in Beckemeyer) that broadens its ministries. Parishioners can raise their children in faith through the on-site All Saints Academy Catholic School (PreK–8), the Wednesday-evening Youth Faith Formation program, and sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. The parish also offers Eucharistic Adoration, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), a Spiritual Formation Committee, Vacation Bible School, youth ministry, and outreach such as St. Vincent de Paul, the Snack Pack program, and County Humane Society support — making it a place where families, newcomers, and lifelong Catholics can both worship and serve.
Mass times at St. Dominic
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 p.m. (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 1:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. (regular weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Lenten Adoration: one hour of prayer per week for the 6 weeks of Lent, held every day except Wednesday
Parish History
St. Dominic's story began in the 1850s when German pioneers settled in Clinton County, Illinois, in and around Breese. After St. Boniface Church in nearby Germantown was completed in 1856, about 70 local Catholic families prepared to build their own parish. Father J. Fortmann, pastor of St. Boniface, laid the cornerstone of St. Dominic on August 2, 1857, and Bishop Henry Juncker, first Bishop of Alton, blessed the new Roman-style brick church and installed the newly ordained Father August Reineke as first pastor on October 18, 1858.
- Cornerstone laid August 2, 1857 by Father J. Fortmann
- Church blessed October 18, 1858 by Bishop Henry Juncker
- Original brick church served as parish church (1858–1868), school (1868–1902), and parish hall (1902–1964)
- Current Gothic-style stone church completed December 1869 from local stone, lime, and sand
- Parish center built 1964; original brick church demolished 1973
- 2001 interior restoration rededicated May 26, 2002
- Illinois House Resolution HR1449 honored the 150th anniversary in 2008
Partner Parishes
St. Dominic shares ministry and sacramental preparation with two neighboring Clinton County parishes: St. Augustine in Breese and St. Anthony in Beckemeyer. Baptism Preparation, Youth Faith Formation, and the parish school (All Saints Academy) are organized collaboratively across the three parishes.
- St. Augustine – Breese (Saturday Mass 4:00 p.m.; Sunday Mass 8:00 a.m.)
- St. Anthony – Beckemeyer (Sunday Mass 9:30 a.m.)
- Baptism classes rotate so one is offered each month across the trio
- Joint Youth Faith Formation program
All Saints Academy Catholic School
All Saints Academy is a PreK-8 diocesan Catholic school formed from the partnership of St. Augustine, St. Anthony, and St. Dominic parishes, and it operates on two campuses on the grounds of the partner churches. The St. Augustine campus (260 S. Main St., Breese) houses pre-kindergarten through first grade, while the St. Dominic campus (295 N. Clinton St., Breese) houses second through eighth grade. The school works as one community to provide a faith-rooted, academically excellent education, partnering with Mater Dei as well.
- PreK–8 Catholic school in the Diocese of Belleville
- St. Dominic campus: grades 2–8 (295 N. Clinton St., Breese)
- St. Augustine / Primary Center campus: PK–1 (260 S. Main St., Breese)
- Phone: (618) 526-4323
- Partners with Mater Dei for ASA/MD School Board
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
St. Dominic's faith formation programs are run jointly with St. Augustine and St. Anthony and prepare children and adults for full sacramental and parish life. Youth Faith Formation (the Parish School of Religion) meets Wednesdays from 6:30–7:45 p.m. for grades 1–8 who attend public school, while OCIA welcomes adults seeking full membership in the Catholic Church on Monday evenings from September through May.
- Youth Faith Formation / PSR (grades 1–8), Wednesdays 6:30–7:45 p.m.
- Baptism Preparation (rotated monthly with partner parishes)
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), Mondays 7:30–9:00 p.m., Sept.–May
- Pre-Cana marriage preparation
- Vacation Bible School
- Youth Ministry — Adults
- Youth Ministry — High School Aged Youth
Spiritual Life & Devotions
Beyond weekend and weekday Masses, the parish nurtures its spiritual life through weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays and a dedicated Lenten Adoration schedule. The Spiritual Formation Committee coordinates parish missions, retreats, small group activities, and educational programs, meeting the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m.
- Weekly Eucharistic Adoration, Tuesday 1:00–7:00 p.m.
- Lenten Adoration (one hour per week, except Wednesdays)
- Spiritual Formation Committee (4th Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.)
- Parish missions and retreats
- Small group activities and adult education programs
Outreach & Charity
The parish carries its faith outward through several service ministries that support neighbors in need, both inside and outside the parish community. Outreach initiatives are coordinated through parish groups and dedicated volunteers.
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Snack Pack program
- County Humane Society support
- Parish building and event setup volunteers
Parish Staff & Contacts
St. Dominic is led by Very Rev. James Nall, J.C.L., as pastor, with a small parish staff handling faith formation, secretarial, and office-management duties. Inquiries about Youth Faith Formation, parish registration, and general parish business can be directed to the appropriate contact below.
- Pastor: Very Rev. James Nall, J.C.L. — (618) 526-7746
- CRE / Youth Faith Formation (Breese/Beckemeyer): Dan Robben
- Parish Secretary: John Hilmes — [email protected]
- Parish Office Manager: Helen Essenpreis
- Parish Office Fax: (618) 526-7755
Becoming a Member
St. Dominic describes itself as a pilgrim people on a journey together to the Father, growing in God's unconditional love through the sacraments, prayer, and especially its weekend Eucharistic liturgy. New members can join by completing a Google registration form linked from the parish website or by contacting the parish office for a paper registration.
- Online Google registration form available on the parish website
- Paper registration available from the parish office
- Office address: 493 N. 2nd St., Breese, IL 62230
- Office phone: (618) 526-7746
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. August Reineke1858–1909
First pastor; newly ordained when Bishop Henry Juncker blessed the church on October 18, 1858.
- Rev. John F. Meifuss1909–1926
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Kaup1926–1941
- Rev. Henry Aydt1941–1970
- Msgr. John Fellner1970–1985
- Rev. Dan Jurek1985–1987
- Rev. Paul Harbough1987–1995
- Rev. Patrick Peter1995–2024
Celebrated the parish's 150th anniversary in 2008; honored by an Illinois House Resolution.
- Rev. James Nall2024–present
Ninth pastor in the parish's history; holds a J.C.L. (Licentiate in Canon Law).