About St. Francis of Assisi · Aviston, Illinois
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is a historic rural parish in the small village of Aviston, Illinois, founded in 1865 by German Catholic pioneers in what was then the Diocese of Alton (now the Diocese of Belleville). The parish family, currently 737 households and about 2,082 souls, is served by Fr. Von C. Deeke and Deacon Brad Haar, with a robust slate of faith formation, youth, family, and service ministries. Today's St. Francis is best known locally for its beloved annual picnic, quilt tradition, and a tight-knit congregation that still gathers for daily Mass in the same brick-and-stone church built and consecrated in the late nineteenth century.
- Established
- 1865
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Von C. Deeke
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi is a 160-year-old rural parish where parishioners really do know each other — daily Mass is offered Tuesday through Friday, and weekend Masses are followed by active faith formation for every age, from PSR classes for school-age children to Sunday School for 3- to 5-year-olds during the 9:30 Mass, plus an annual Vacation Bible School. The parish also runs a full RCIA program, Bible study, adult faith formation series, and a vibrant youth ministry team, while ministries like the Knights of Columbus, Altar Sodality, Picnic Committee, and the famous quilters give every family multiple ways to serve. For newcomers, the welcome starts with the much-loved annual parish picnic every first Saturday in August — fried chicken dinner, quilt bingo, raffles, kids' inflatables, and a live band — and continues with regular Reconciliation times and a parish church open daily for private prayer and adoration.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 PM – 3:40 PM (parish website)
- Sunday 8:45 AM – 9:10 AM (or by appointment) (parish website)
- Saturday 6:30 PM – 7:10 PM (Diocese of Belleville directory)
Adoration times
- Private prayer and adoration in the church Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM, accessed via the parking-lot entrance
Parish History: From Pioneer Church to Consecrated Landmark
St. Francis of Assisi traces its roots to a spring 1864 meeting of Catholic families in the Aviston depot building, where they debated — sometimes heatedly — where to build their new church. The non-Catholic landowner Samuel Hull settled the question by donating three blocks south of the railroad tracks plus $100 in cash. That fall, Bishop Henry Damian Juncker of Alton came to Aviston with Father A. Reinecke of Breese and celebrated the first Mass on Aviston territory in a private home. Pioneers built an 80-by-50-foot brick church through 1864–1865 (completed September 1865), but the project was marred by tragedy when contractor Gerhard Rolfmeyer fell fifty feet during construction and died. Rev. Henry Boecker, the first pastor, blessed the new church and offered its first High Mass on October 4, 1865 — the parish's first patron feast. Parish records begin from that date.
- 1864: Meeting in Aviston depot; site selected on south side of tracks
- 1864–1865: Brick church built by Rolfmeyer & Dillmann for $11,741.25
- October 2, 1865: Fr. Henry Boecker arrives; first High Mass October 4, 1865
- 1885–1887: New church built under Fr. Lohmann by architect Henry Melcher
- October 26, 1892: Church consecrated by Bishop Janssen — first consecration of his episcopate
The New Church and Its Builders
By 1883 the original brick church was already too small. Father Fred Lohmann commissioned St. Louis architect Henry Melcher to design a much larger building. Workers remodeled the old church as the new sanctuary and sacristies, then added a 78-foot transept, a nave, and a soaring 185-foot tower to the west, producing a total length of 142 feet. Ground was broken September 19, 1885; the corner-stone was laid September 21, 1886; and the new church was dedicated July 6, 1887 by Very Rev. John Janssen (Administrator of the Alton Diocese), at a total cost of about $42,000. Generations of Aviston parishioners continued to pay it off and add furnishings over the next decade, including high and side altars, a pulpit, stations of the cross, statues, a tower clock, and a heating plant.
- Architect: Henry Melcher of St. Louis
- General contractors: Henry Stoff and August Klutho of Aviston ($17,450 bid)
- Tower height: 185 feet
- Total length: 142 feet
The Consecration of 1892
On October 26, 1892, St. Francis Church became the first church consecrated by the Right Reverend Bishop J. Janssen after his own consecration as first Bishop of the newly organized Diocese of Belleville, and only the third church consecrated in the diocese. Father Lohmann's diary captures the day in detail — he served as Master of Ceremonies and personally oversaw every preparation, including a three-fold acclamation for His Excellency at the close. Two earlier consecrations in the region (Germantown in 1868 and St. Libory in 1883) had been performed by Bishops Juncker and Baltes.
- First consecration by Bishop John Janssen
- Third consecration in the Diocese of Belleville
Parish Staff and Leadership
Day-to-day parish life is led by a small but dedicated staff together with elected and appointed lay leadership. Fr. Von C. Deeke serves as pastor, with Deacon Brad Haar assisting, and Amber Griesbaum as administrative assistant. Faith formation is shared by Sr. Jeannette Fennewald (Director of Religious Education) and Connie Robben. The buildings and grounds are cared for by custodian John Toennies. Lay leadership is provided by the Pastoral Council, Financial Council, and Board of Trustees.
- Pastor: Rev. Von C. Deeke
- Deacon: Deacon Brad Haar
- Director of Religious Education: Sr. Jeannette Fennewald
- Faith Formation: Connie Robben
- Administrative Assistant: Amber Griesbaum
- Custodian: John Toennies
- Board of Trustees: Rev. Msgr. John W. McEvilly, V.G.; Fr. Von Deeke; Dan Mondt; Milissa Faust
- Pastoral Council: Nancy Woltering, Brad Halstead, April Foutch, Adrian Hagan, Lynn Huegen, Darlene Timmermann, Colleen Harper, Michelle Kuhl, Marilyn Zobrist, Dan Mondt (Trustee), Milissa Faust (Trustee)
- Financial Council: Fr. Von Deeke, Doug Ess, Joe Millard, Phillip Pingsterhaus, Dan Mondt (Trustee), Milissa Faust (Trustee)
- Youth Ministry Team: Sr. Jeannette Fennewald, Connie Robben
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish runs a comprehensive faith formation program for every age. Children in grades K–8 attend the Parish School of Religion (PSR) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, with PSR Mass on Tuesday and Thursday mornings — all beginning at 7:30 AM. Sunday School welcomes children age 3 (and potty trained) through Kindergarten during the 9:30 AM Mass, with prayer, song, Bible stories, and crafts, and is offered at no cost thanks to the local Knights of Columbus and Altar Sodality. Eighth graders preparing for Confirmation meet with adult mentors on the same M/W/F 7:30 schedule. Adult faith formation includes Bible study, RCIA for adults seeking initiation, short topical series (Church History, Why Be A Catholic?, Liturgical History, Social Justice and Catholics), and access to Franciscan at Home online courses through the diocese's partnership with Franciscan University's Catechetical Institute.
- PSR (K–8): Mon/Wed/Fri 7:30 AM classes; Mass attendance Tue/Thu
- PSR Confirmation Preparation for 8th grade
- Sunday School (age 3–Kindergarten) during 9:30 AM Mass
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (~2 hours/week for 7–8 months)
- Adult Faith Formation short courses
- Bible Study
- Vacation Bible School (annual, July, K–5th grade)
- Youth Ministry Team
- Franciscan at Home (FaH) online learning via the Diocese of Belleville
Parish Ministries, Organizations, and Fellowship
Beyond liturgy and formation, St. Francis has a deep bench of parish organizations where families find community and service opportunities. The Altar Sodality brings together women for quilting, annual picnic preparations, church cleaning, and holiday gatherings. The Knights of Columbus Council is a vibrant service fraternity of Catholic men and their families, supported locally by the Niemeyer Agency (Knights of Columbus Insurance). The Picnic Committee plans the beloved annual parish fundraiser. The Quilters and Quilt Teams keep the centuries-old tradition of handmade quilt bingo prizes alive — every picnic quilt is hand-made or hand-purchased by a four-family team each year. Other outreach includes Hispanic Outreach ministry and a growing Youth Ministry Team.
- Altar Sodality — multi-generational; quilting, picnic prep, church cleaning, holiday party
- Knights of Columbus Council — meets monthly (~3 hours/month)
- Knights of Columbus Insurance — The Niemeyer Agency
- Picnic Committee — four meetings/year plus the picnic weekend
- Quilters — quilting sessions in November, January, and March
- Quilt Teams (Picnic) — four families per team donate one quilt per year
- Hispanic Outreach
- Youth Ministry Team
The Annual Parish Picnic
Every first Saturday of August, the parish grounds come alive for the St. Francis Annual Picnic — a tradition that has become the social highlight of the year for the Aviston Catholic community. The picnic features a fried chicken dinner (dine-in 3:30–6:30 PM and carry-out 3:00–7:00 PM), a Saturday vigil Mass at 4:00 PM, Quilt Bingo at 6:30 PM with cash tie payouts, kids' inflatables starting at 5:00 PM, raffles, Big 6, Picnic Poker, a Country Store, themed baskets, beer and margaritas, and live music (the Cheers Band has headlined). Donations of themed baskets (valued $15–$25) are collected the weekend before, with a parish goal of 250 baskets.
- Held first Saturday of August each year
- Fried chicken dinner — dine-in and carry-out
- Saturday vigil Mass at 4:00 PM
- Quilt Bingo — every game is for a quilt
- Raffles, Big 6, Picnic Poker, Country Store, Baskets
- Live band in the evening
Parish Partnership
St. Francis of Assisi is partnered with St. Rose of St. Rose and St. Felicitas of Beaver Prairie under the Diocese of Belleville's parish partnership model. Bible study materials for the partnership are free to members of St. Francis / St. Felicitas / St. Rose, with a $10 fee for others.
- Partnered parishes: St. Rose (St. Rose) and St. Felicitas (Beaver Prairie)
- Shared Bible study pricing through the partnership
Visiting and Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Francis of Assisi by phone at (618) 228-7219. The church is located at 251 S Clinton Street in Aviston, Illinois, with a mailing address of P.O. Box 93, Aviston, IL 62216-0093. Online giving and bulletin resources are available via the parish website at stfrancisav.org, and the parish maintains a Facebook presence under the page name 'Embracing Our Faith' for parish-picnic news and announcements.
- Phone: (618) 228-7219
- Address: 251 S Clinton St, Aviston, IL 62216
- Mailing: PO Box 93, Aviston, IL 62216-0093
- Website: stfrancisav.org
- Facebook: fb.com/embracingourfaith
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Henry Boecker1865–1875
First pastor of Aviston and Trenton; arrived October 2, 1865, blessed the original brick church and celebrated its first High Mass on October 4, 1865. Found a parish with 70 families and $7,000 in debt, and equipped the new church within a year (including a $1,600 pipe organ). Died January 18, 1875.
- Rev. Fred Lohmann1876–1917
Built the present church (1885–1887) designed by Henry Melcher, with a 185-foot tower. Oversaw the 1892 consecration by Bishop Janssen, retired the church debt, and left the parish with over $35,000 in securities. His 41-year tenure is a parish record. Died February 10, 1917; buried at St. Francis Cemetery.
- Rev. Robert D. "Bob" Gore1989–1995
Installed October 4, 1989 as the 8th pastor in the parish's 125-year history. Oversaw the demolition of the old convent hospital in March 1992. Celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest in 1990. Took medical leave August 31, 1995.
- Rev. Daniel L. Friedman1995–2024
Born in Carmi, IL; ordained June 3, 1972. Former Catholic Chaplain for the Okaw Valley Council of Boy Scouts and national figure in Catholic Scouting religious emblems. Installed December 3, 1995 by Very Rev. Ted Baumann. During his tenure: 1996 major exterior tuck-pointing/waterproofing; 2001 launch of Renew; 380 baptisms, 139 marriages, and 323 funerals recorded.
- Rev. Von C. Deeke2024–present
Ordained June 7, 2003. Also serves the diocese as Diocesan Liaison for International Priests. Current pastor of St. Francis of Assisi, Aviston.