About St. Francis de Sales · Lebanon, Missouri
St. Francis de Sales Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Lebanon, Missouri, the oldest and largest church in Laclede County. It belongs to the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau and serves Lebanon together with a mission church, Sportsman's Chapel at Bennett Springs. The parish's stated mission is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ by word, worship, community, the celebration of the sacraments, and joyful witness through prayer and service. Today's parish is led by Fr. Allan Saunders and is known for active lay leadership, strong PSR attendance, and a notably friendly parish community.
- Established
- 1866
- Patron
- St. Francis de Sales (1567–1622), Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church; patron saint of journalists and writers
- Rector
- Fr. Allan Saunders
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
Why belong here
St. Francis de Sales is a welcoming, long-standing Catholic community in the heart of the Ozarks — the oldest and largest parish in Laclede County — where lay leadership drives an 'open and outreaching' parish life. Visitors and parishioners consistently describe it as 'very friendly,' with strong faith formation for children through PSR, active RCIA and adult education, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a growing Hispanic ministry with a Saturday morning Mass in Spanish. Because the pastor also shepherds St. William in Buffalo and Sportsman's Chapel at Bennett Springs, parishioners here are plugged into ministry that reaches well beyond Lebanon itself.
Mass times at St. Francis de Sales
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Adoration times
- Friday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (First Friday)
About St. Francis de Sales Parish
St. Francis de Sales Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Lebanon, Missouri, in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. The parish's stated mission is 'To proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ by word, worship, community, and to celebrate the sacraments and give witness through a joyful life of prayer and service.' It is the oldest and largest church in Laclede County and is closely tied to two affiliated mission parishes: St. William in Buffalo and Sportsman's Chapel at Bennett Springs State Park.
- Parish mission: proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ by word, worship, community, sacraments, and joyful service.
- Located in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.
- Oldest and largest Catholic church in Laclede County.
History of the Parish
The first Catholic families settled in Laclede County around 1864, but the entire state of Missouri was then 'mission territory,' so it was almost two more years before a priest could visit regularly. Fr. P. F. Gallagher, pastor at Rolla, made the first survey of the scattered families, and in 1866 Fr. F. W. Graham began consistent ministry to them. Fr. Graham organized the building of a small frame church on land donated by a local family; that first church served the parish for 80 years before being replaced by the present-day brick church in 1949.
- First Catholic settlers arrived in Laclede County around 1864.
- Fr. P. F. Gallagher (pastor of Rolla) made the first survey of local Catholic families.
- Fr. F. W. Graham began regular ministry in 1866.
- First frame church built on donated land; used for 80 years.
- Current brick church constructed in 1949.
- Parish has been part of three dioceses: St. Louis, Kansas City, and now Springfield-Cape Girardeau.
Parish Patron: St. Francis de Sales
The parish is named for St. Francis de Sales (1567–1622), a French bishop of Geneva who is honored as a Doctor of the Church and the patron saint of journalists and writers. He co-founded, with St. Jane Frances de Chantal, the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, and is sometimes called 'The Gentleman Saint' for his gracious pastoral style.
- St. Francis de Sales (1567–1622), Bishop of Geneva.
- Doctor of the Church; patron of journalists and writers.
- Co-founder of the Order of the Visitation (with St. Jane Frances de Chantal).
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is currently served by Fr. Allan Saunders, who was appointed pastor in 2025 from his previous role as Rector of St. Mary of the Annunciation Cathedral in Cape Girardeau. He also pastors St. William Parish in Buffalo and Sportsman's Chapel at Bennett Springs. Supporting the parish office are Katrina Cook, Administrative Assistant, and Carol Helble, Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE).
- Pastor: Fr. Allan Saunders
- Administrative Assistant: Katrina Cook
- CRE (Coordinator of Religious Education): Carol Helble
Mass & Worship Schedule
The parish celebrates Mass seven days a week in English, with a First Saturday Mass in Spanish. Weekend Masses are Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM and Sunday at 9:00 AM. Weekday Masses are offered Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 AM, with an additional Wednesday evening Mass at 6:00 PM. The pastor also celebrates a Wednesday Mass at 11:00 AM for St. William Parish in Buffalo and a 6:00 PM Saturday Mass at Sportsman's Chapel during the summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends).
- Sunday Mass: 9:00 AM (English)
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM (English)
- First Saturday: 9:00 AM (Spanish)
- Weekday Masses: Tue–Fri at 8:30 AM
- Wednesday evening Mass: 6:00 PM
- Buffalo (St. William) Wednesday Mass: 11:00 AM
- Bennett Springs Saturday Mass: 6:00 PM (Memorial Day–Labor Day weekends)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Although the parish elementary school is no longer in operation, the parish runs an active Parish School of Religion (PSR) program that, by the diocese's own description, realizes an almost 95 percent attendance rate. The parish also offers RCIA (now OCIA) and adult faith formation groups, all led by volunteers eager to share their Catholic faith.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) — high-attendance religious education for children.
- RCIA / OCIA — initiation for adults entering the Church.
- Adult faith formation / Scripture study groups led by parish volunteers.
Hispanic / Spanish-Language Ministry
Reflecting the growing Hispanic Catholic community in the Lebanon area, the parish celebrates a Spanish-language Mass on the First Saturday of each month at 9:00 AM.
- Misa en Español: First Saturday, 9:00 AM
Outreach & Parish Community Life
Lay leadership has long been a hallmark of parish life at St. Francis de Sales, contributing to what parishioners themselves describe as an 'open and outreaching' community. Visitors signing the parish guest book have repeatedly described the community as 'very friendly,' and parishioners are known for their willingness both to share their gifts and to develop new ones.
- Strong lay leadership in parish governance and ministry.
- Welcoming community noted in parish guest book entries.
- Volunteer-driven RCIA, PSR, and adult formation programs.
Related Mission Churches
St. Francis de Sales is paired pastorally with two additional mission parishes, both also under the care of Fr. Allan Saunders. Sportsman's Chapel at Bennett Springs State Park (26250 Highway 64A, Lebanon) holds weekend Masses during the summer; St. William Parish is in nearby Buffalo, Missouri.
- Sportsman's Chapel, Bennett Springs — 26250 Hwy 64A, Lebanon; Saturday 6:00 PM Mass, Memorial Day–Labor Day weekends.
- St. William Parish, Buffalo — Wednesday 11:00 AM Mass.
Visit, Contact & Location
Parishioners and visitors are warmly invited to attend Mass or stop by the parish office during the week. The parish office can be reached by phone or email, and the parish shares updates and announcements via its website and Facebook page.
- Address: 345 Grand Avenue, Lebanon, MO 65536-2315
- Phone: (417) 532-4811
- Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
- Website: sfslebanon.org
- Facebook page linked from the official site and diocesan directory.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. P. F. Gallagher
First priest associated with the parish; then pastor at Rolla, he surveyed the scattered Catholic families of Laclede County.
- Fr. F. W. Grahamfrom 1866
Began consistent ministry to local Catholics in 1866 and organized the building of the first frame church.