About St. Francis of Assisi · Oakville, Missouri
St. Francis of Assisi is a Catholic parish in Oakville, a community in south St. Louis County, Missouri, belonging to the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The parish's stated purpose is to 'use our enthusiasm for our Catholic faith and compassion for others to nurture personal, spiritual growth, and promote fellowship within and beyond our parish so that every parishioner may become holy.' It serves about 2,654 households with three Sunday Masses, daily Mass, an adoration chapel, a parochial school, a preschool, and a robust Parish School of Religion (PSR). The community was founded by and originally staffed by Franciscan friars for 75 years before transitioning to diocesan leadership in 2002.
- Established
- 1927
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Hamilton
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi offers a full sacramental and parish life: three Sunday Masses plus daily Mass, a perpetual adoration chapel open Monday through Friday, weekly Reconciliation, and OCIA (formerly RCIA) for those entering the Church. A parish school (PK–8) and preschool sit on the property alongside a Parish School of Religion that meets Sundays for public-school students, so faith formation is available for every age. With more than 50 ministries — Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Secular Franciscans, Mom's-in-Prayer, youth ministry, Life Teen, OCIA, choir, cantors, lectors, an active fish fry tradition, and many more — most parishioners can find a community that matches their calling.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 11:15–11:45 am
- Saturday 2:45–3:45 pm
- Sunday 8:15–9:00 am
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday 8:15 am – 9:00 pm
- Tuesday 8:15 am – 9:00 pm
- Wednesday 8:15 am – 9:00 pm
- Thursday 8:15 am – 9:00 pm
- Friday 8:15 am – 4:00 pm
Parish History
The parish traces its origin to 1926, when Oakville-area Catholic families asked Fr. Albert Mayer of St. Andrew Church for a parish of their own. Franciscans from St. Anthony Friary accepted spiritual leadership in 1927, and Fr. Hilarion Duerk, OFM became the first pastor. Parishioners dug the first church's foundation themselves; Archbishop John J. Glennon dedicated it on May 9, 1927 after a parade from the Oakville Farmers Club Park. Through the decades the parish built a school (1930), a brick school (1941), a new modern church (December 13, 1953, dedicated by Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter), a parish center (1981–82), and a major church renovation/rededication by Bishop Paul Zipfel on October 11, 1992. After 75 years and some 80 friars, the Franciscan friars of the Sacred Heart Province handed staffing to the Archdiocese of St. Louis in June 2002. The parish's boundaries were split in 1962 (St. Margaret Mary Alacoque) and 1972 (Queen of All Saints); today it serves about 2,654 households.
- Founded 1927; first pastor Fr. Hilarion Duerk, OFM
- First church dedicated by Archbishop John J. Glennon, May 9, 1927
- New church dedicated December 13, 1953 by Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter
- Major renovation and rededication October 11, 1992 by Bishop Paul Zipfel
- Transitioned from Franciscan to diocesan staffing in June 2002
- Two boundary spinoffs: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1962), Queen of All Saints (1972)
Live-Streamed Worship
All Masses are streamed live on the parish website and on the parish's Facebook page. Worship aides for Sunday Masses are posted at www.sfastl.org/mass so online participants can follow along. The live stream is supported by parish donations.
- Live stream available on website and Facebook
- Sunday worship aides at www.sfastl.org/mass
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Paul Hamilton as pastor and Rev. Monsignor Mark Ullrich as senior associate pastor, supported by two permanent deacons, John DuFaux and Scott Schardan. The staff team includes Dan Denton (Business Manager), Kim Hahn (Bookkeeper), Ann Jones (Parish Receptionist/Bulletin Editor), Jeremy Boyer (Director of Liturgy & Sacred Music), Tim McInnis (PSR Coordinator), Matt Kosta (Youth Minister), and Rich Hespen (Facilities Maintenance Coordinator).
- Pastor: Rev. Paul Hamilton
- Senior Associate Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Mark Ullrich
- Deacons: John DuFaux and Scott Schardan
- Business Manager: Dan Denton
- Bookkeeper: Kim Hahn
- Parish Receptionist/Bulletin Editor: Ann Jones
- Director of Liturgy & Sacred Music: Jeremy Boyer
- PSR Coordinator: Tim McInnis
- Youth Minister: Matt Kosta
- Facilities Maintenance Coordinator: Rich Hespen
Parish School of Religion (PSR)
The Parish School of Religion is the parish's Catholic religious education program for public-school students in grades 1–8, assisting parents in handing on the Catholic faith. Classes meet on Sundays from 9:30 am to 10:45 am, followed by the 11:00 am Mass. PSR is administered by Coordinator Tim McInnis with the support of Business Manager Dan Denton, and it offers full catechist positions each year.
- Grades 1–8 religious education for public-school students
- Classes Sundays 9:30–10:45 am, followed by 11:00 am Mass
- Coordinator: Tim McInnis ([email protected])
St. Francis of Assisi School
The parish school, located at 4550 Telegraph Road, serves PK and K–8 and is a Catholic elementary and middle school recognized by NCEA. It continues a tradition of parish education that began in 1930 in a two-room metal building and moved into a brick school in 1941.
- Parish school at 4550 Telegraph Road
- Serves PK and K–8
Youth Ministry
The parish youth ministry, led by Youth Minister Matt Kosta, exists to provide opportunities for teens to encounter Jesus Christ, grow in a personal relationship with Him, and become missionary disciples. Programming is organized around middle school and high school groups and is supported by a Core Team of adult leaders.
- Youth Minister: Matt Kosta ([email protected], ext. 109)
- Middle school and high school tracks
- Adult Core Team supports the ministry
Ministries & Parish Life
Each ministry at St. Francis of Assisi serves a unique purpose, and the parish counts more than 50 active groups — from liturgical roles (lectors, extraordinary ministers, cantors, servers, sacristans, adult choir, contemporary worship) to parish-life traditions (fish fry, parish picnic, turkey shoots, hospitality, Giving Tree) to service and faith-formation groups (St. Vincent de Paul, Respect Life, Secular Franciscans, OCIA/RCIA, Small Groups, Mom's-in-Prayer, Knights of Columbus). The parish encourages everyone to pray and ask where God is calling them to serve.
- Liturgical: Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers, Cantors, Adult Choir, Contemporary Worship, Servers, Sacristans
- Service & charity: St. Vincent de Paul Society, Giving Tree, Respect Life Ministry, Oasis Tutors, Blood Drive
- Faith formation: OCIA (RCIA), Small Groups, Secular Franciscans, Mom's-in-Prayer, Men's Ministry
- Community life: Fish Fry, Parish Picnic, Hospitality Team, Knights of Columbus Council 5359, St. Anne Sodality, Parish Library
- Youth & children: Youth Group, SFA Children's Ministry, Vacation Bible School, Altar Servers
- Scouting: Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, American Heritage Girls, Girl Scouts
- Stewardship & facilities: Stewardship, Finance Committee, Facilities & Maintenance Team, Francis' Groundskeepers, Community Garden
Sacraments
Information about preparing for and celebrating the sacraments is available through the parish office. Parents expecting Baptism attend a Baptismal Preparation Class held the first Thursday of each month in the Rectory Meeting Room. First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation are prepared for through the PSR. The parish also supports adult sacramental preparation through OCIA (formerly RCIA), marriage preparation via a Wedding Coordinator, and Anointing of the Sick by appointment.
- Baptism preparation class: 1st Thursday of the month in the Rectory Meeting Room
- First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation through PSR
- Marriage preparation with parish Wedding Coordinator
- OCIA for adults entering the Church
- Anointing of the Sick by appointment
Visit, Giving & Contact
The parish welcomes new families and offers online registration through the website. Visitors can attend daily or Sunday Mass, stop in for Eucharistic Adoration, or schedule Reconciliation. Online giving options include one-time gifts and recurring 'Weekly Giving' through the website; donations support parish operations and the live-streamed Mass broadcast. The rectory can be reached by phone at (314) 487-5736.
- Address: 4556 Telegraph Road, St. Louis, MO 63129
- Phone: (314) 487-5736
- Website: sfastl.org
- Online giving: one-time gift and weekly recurring options
- Live-streamed Mass available on website and Facebook
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Hilarion Duerk, OFM1927–
First pastor, appointed when Franciscans of the Sacred Heart Province accepted leadership of the new parish.