About St. Dominic (see also St John the Baptist, Bradford) · Wyoming, Illinois
St. Dominic Catholic Church is a small parish serving the village of Wyoming and surrounding Stark County, Illinois, as part of a two-parish cluster with St. John the Baptist in Bradford. The parish belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Peoria and is led by Father John Baptist Uwigaba as pastor. Its current church building, begun in 1928, is notable for its Norman-Gothic architecture, stained glass imported from Munich, and a historic bell cast from 250 silver dollars donated by a local parishioner.
- Established
- 1903
- Patron
- St. Dominic (de Guzmán)
- Rector
- Father John Baptist Uwigaba
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
St. Dominic offers a close-knit rural Catholic community in the heart of Stark County, where families are known by name and supported in both joys and trials. Parishioners pray the Rosary together, practice devotions to the saints, and many children serve at the altar — giving young people a meaningful role in the liturgy. A family-centered CCD program, an annual Family Fest with bonfires and hayrack rides, and regular fellowship throughout the liturgical year make it a warm place to belong and to raise a Catholic family.
Mass times at St. Dominic (see also St John the Baptist, Bradford)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM (before 4:30 PM Mass)
- Sunday 7:30 AM (before 8:00 AM Mass, per MassTimes.org listing)
Parish History
St. Dominic traces its roots to 1881, when Wyoming's first Catholic church was completed. For its first 22 years it functioned as a mission of St. Patrick's of Camp Grove before being established as an independent parish in 1903. The present-day church, begun with a cornerstone laid on August 5, 1928, was built during the long pastorate of Father James M. Fitzgerald (1923–1941) and consecrated by Bishop Edmund M. Dunne of the Diocese of Peoria.
- First Catholic church in Wyoming: construction began October 1880, completed summer 1881
- Became an independent parish in 1903 (previously a mission of St. Patrick's, Camp Grove)
- Current church cornerstone laid August 5, 1928
- Consecration by Bishop Edmund M. Dunne, Diocese of Peoria
The St. Ann Bell
The parish's most storied artifact is the St. Ann Bell, named in memory of Ann, wife of Patrick Cain of Essex, who donated 250 silver dollars to have it cast. Because the coins were legal currency, the parish had to obtain a permit from the U.S. government to melt them down — and it is the silver content that gives the bell its famously clear tone. The bell originally hung in the 1881 church and was preserved when the new church was built.
- Donated by Patrick Cain, Essex
- Named the St. Ann Bell in memory of his wife Ann
- Cast from 250 silver dollars — federal permit required
- Silver content responsible for its clear tone
- Originally hung in the 1881 church
Architecture and Interior
The 1928 church is built in the Norman-Gothic style and bears five crosses on its roof identifying it as a Catholic church. Inside, the most striking features are the stained glass windows imported from Munich, Bavaria, depicting scenes from the life of Christ and the mysteries of the Rosary as originated by St. Dominic, and the wood ceiling beams stained and hand-painted with polychrome designs by Italian artists — no two beams are alike. Many of the church's special furnishings were gifts of Father Fitzgerald in memory of his parents.
- Norman-Gothic architectural style
- Five crosses on the roof marking it as a Catholic church
- Stained glass windows imported from Munich, Bavaria
- Windows depict the life of Christ and Rosary mysteries of St. Dominic
- Wood beams hand-painted by Italian artists — no two alike
- Many furnishings donated by Father Fitzgerald in memory of his parents
Parish Life and Ministries
Parish life at St. Dominic centers on prayer, family, and intergenerational participation. Parishioners pray the Rosary together and practice devotions to the saints; many children serve at the altar; and the community gathers throughout the liturgical year to celebrate joys and support one another in difficulty. The parish belongs to a two-parish cluster with St. John the Baptist, Bradford, and ministries are coordinated across both communities.
- Altar Servers (children)
- Parish Rosary and devotions to the Saints
- Family support during joyful and difficult occasions
- Annual Family Fest — bonfire, hayrack rides, bouncy house, food, family fun
Faith Formation: CCD
The parish's religious education program is the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), offering Catholic education for the whole family. CCD classes meet on Sunday after the 8:00 AM Mass. The Director of Religious Education is Sarah Lindley ([email protected]).
- CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine)
- Meets Sundays after 8:00 AM Mass
- DRE: Sarah Lindley
- Email: [email protected]
- Designed for whole-family Catholic education
Clergy and Pastoral Leadership
St. Dominic is pastored together with St. John the Baptist, Bradford, by Father John Baptist Uwigaba, who became administrator in 2023 and was named pastor of both parishes in 2024. Father Uwigaba was born in Uganda, was originally ordained October 6, 1991 in Rwanda, and remains incardinated in his home diocese while serving in the Diocese of Peoria. The parishes were previously shepherded by Father John F. Cyr (pastor 2015–2023), a Notre Dame MBA and pilgrimage leader, and, much earlier, Father James M. Fitzgerald (1923–1941), under whose tenure the current church was built and consecrated.
- Father John Baptist Uwigaba — Pastor (since 2024; administrator 2023–present)
- Father John F. Cyr — Pastor 2015–2023
- Father James M. Fitzgerald — Pastor 1923–1941 (built the 1928 church)
Visit, Contact, and Getting Involved
Visitors are warmly welcomed at the weekend Masses. The parish office can be reached by phone or email, and inquiries about sacraments, CCD enrollment, altar serving, or other ministries are best directed to the parish at the contacts below. Mailing address is PO Box 140, 303 Galena Ave., Wyoming, IL 61491.
- Address: 303 Galena Ave., PO Box 140, Wyoming, IL 61491
- Phone: (309) 695-4031
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://starkcountycatholic.com
- Cluster partner: St. John the Baptist, Bradford
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James M. Fitzgerald1923-1941
Pastored during construction of the current 1928 church and for many years after; underwrote many of its special features in memory of his parents.
- Father John F. Cyr2015-2023
Served as pastor of the St. Dominic / St. John the Baptist (Bradford) cluster; ordained May 25, 2002; holds an MBA from Notre Dame (2020); led pilgrimages to the Holy Land, World Youth Day in Spain, Poland, Prague, Austria, Budapest, Fatima, Lourdes, and Rome.
- Father John Baptist Uwigaba2023-present
Administrator from 2023, named pastor of both St. Dominic (Wyoming) and St. John the Baptist (Bradford) in 2024. Born in Uganda (Aug 25, 1959), originally ordained October 6, 1991 in Rwanda; incardinated in another diocese while serving in the Diocese of Peoria.