About St. Francis Xavier · Taos, Missouri
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church is a historic parish in Taos, Cole County, Missouri, in the Diocese of Jefferson City. Founded in 1838 by the Jesuit missionary Fr. Ferdinand Helias to serve German immigrants, it is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in central Missouri and is paired with a parish elementary school (PreK–8). The parish celebrates the weekend Mass schedule at the heart of community life, alongside sacramental preparation, faith formation, Knights of Columbus fellowship, and an active parish school. The present Romanesque Revival church, completed in 1883, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (2016).
- Established
- 1838
- Patron
- St. Francis Xavier
- Rector
- Rev. Kelechi Uzuegbu
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
St. Francis Xavier is a warm, multigenerational parish where a 19th-century historic church, an active PreK–8 Catholic school, and contemporary ministries share one campus on Route M in Taos. Parishioners gather for a Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses, pray the Rosary before each Mass and on the first Wednesday at the local Knights of Columbus Hall, and are formed through the parish school, religious education, sacramental preparation, and parish-wide fellowship like the annual online silent auction and the Faith and Fellowship committee. It is a place where new families, returning Catholics, and visitors are explicitly welcomed and where the legacy of the missionary Fr. Ferdinand Helias still shapes community identity.
Mass times at St. Francis Xavier
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM
- Anytime by appointment
Welcome to St. Francis Xavier Parish
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church & School is the Catholic community of Taos in Cole County, Missouri. The parish's mission statement, adopted by the Parish Council in Fall 1997, reads: 'St. Francis Xavier Parish is an example of Christ's Love by educating, serving and celebrating our faith with others in our community.' The parish staff is available 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday through Friday at 7319 Route M, Jefferson City (Taos), MO 65101, and the office can be reached at 573-395-4401.
- Mission Statement adopted by Parish Council, Fall 1997
- Parish office hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Tue–Fri
- Parish phone: 573-395-4401 · Fax: 573-395-4302
Parish History
The parish was founded in 1838 by Fr. Ferdinand Helias, SJ, to serve German immigrant families. The first Mass was offered on May 28, 1838 for twenty families; a log church followed in 1840 and a stone church — the first in the interior of Missouri — in 1844. The present Romanesque Revival church was built in 1883 under Fr. John Gruender, and the Tudor Revival rectory in 1923. The church and rectory were jointly listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. Fr. Helias is entombed inside the church in a crypt dedicated by Bishop Joseph M. Marling, the first bishop of Jefferson City, in 1965.
- 1838 — First Mass (May 28) for 20 German-immigrant families
- 1840 — Log church built and dedicated to St. Francis Xavier; settlement then known as Haarville
- 1844 — Stone church completed (first stone church in interior Missouri)
- 1874 — Fr. Helias dies in the churchyard, August 11
- 1883 — Present Romanesque Revival church completed under Fr. John Gruender
- 1893 — Three bells cast by Henry Stuckstede Foundry dedicated to St. John
- 1898 — Thirteen-register pipe organ installed
- 1923 — Tudor Revival rectory built
- 1955 — Church renovated ($72,000)
- 1964 — Fr. Helias's body exhumed February 29 and reinterred in church entry
- 1965 — Bishop Marling dedicates the Fr. Helias memorial
- 1984 — Last major restoration completed before present
- 2016 — Church and rectory listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Fr. Ferdinand Helias, SJ — Founder and 'Apostle of Central Missouri'
Fr. Ferdinand Helias, SJ arrived in the area in the summer of 1838 to care for the souls of German immigrants. He celebrated the first Mass on May 28, 1838, moved his residence to Taos in 1842, and remained pastor until his death in the churchyard on August 11, 1874. He founded what are now Sacred Heart in Rich Fountain, Immaculate Conception in Loose Creek, St. Peter in Jefferson City, St. Thomas the Apostle in St. Thomas, the former Assumption in Cedron, and St. Francis Xavier in Taos. After 91 years in the parish cemetery, his remains were moved in 1964 to a rose granite crypt in the narthex of the present church, dedicated in 1965 by Bishop Joseph M. Marling. A Marian shrine outside the church marks the place of his death, and the top of the old stone altar — donated by his mother — was made into a centennial memorial in 1974.
- Crypt of Fr. Helias in the narthex of the present church
- Marian shrine outside the church marking the site of his death
- Centennial memorial (1974) using the old altar stone donated by his mother
- Annual Mass offered on December 8 for the repose of his mother
The Fr. Helias Museum
In 1983 the pastor and parishioners established the Fr. Helias Museum in part of the church basement. The museum holds artifacts from the founding of Jesuit missions in central Missouri along with belongings of Fr. Helias. It is temporarily closed at this time for a church renovation project.
Sacraments
Parents requesting Baptism should be registered, practicing parishioners and are encouraged to attend baptismal preparation before their child is born; after birth, contact the parish office at 573-395-4401 to schedule. Couples should contact the pastor at least six months in advance for marriage preparation and scheduling. Adults interested in becoming Catholic are invited through the RCIA/OCIA process by contacting the Director of Religious Education.
- Baptism — preparation classes; schedule through parish office
- Marriage — six months' notice to the pastor
- Confirmation — through Religious Education program
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 4:15–4:45 PM or by appointment
- RCIA / OCIA — contact Cathy Singer, DRE
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Francis Xavier is led by Cathy Singer, Director of Religious Education ([email protected], ext. 1003). The parish prepares children for the sacraments and welcomes adults who wish to enter the Church through the RCIA/OCIA process. Faith and Fellowship, a parish committee, plans gatherings such as Advent meditation giveaways and a Lenten parish retreat.
- Director of Religious Education: Cathy Singer
- RCIA / OCIA for adults entering the Church
- Sacramental preparation for Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion
- Faith and Fellowship committee
St. Francis Xavier School
St. Francis Xavier School shares the parish campus at 7307 Route M, Jefferson City, MO 65101 (phone 573-395-4612). 'Under the patronage of St. Francis Xavier, our school community guides the formation of Christ-centered learners, leaders, and stewards on a foundation of Catholic beliefs and academic excellence.' The school offers a PreK through Grade 8 program led by Principal Jordan Tobar. The Knights of Columbus Council supports a Tuesday-morning greeting program for students and staff.
- Principal: Jordan Tobar ([email protected])
- Secretary: Patti Wieberg
- PreK: Rachel Garro; Aide: Geralyn Buckland
- Kindergarten: Renee Stockman
- Grade 1: Shannon Schroer
- Grade 2: Laura Kempker
- Grade 3: Karlie Allen
- Grade 4: Sarah Schwartz
- Grade 5: Alexis McGinnis
- Grade 6: Stephanie Bassett
- Grade 7: Molly Perkins; also Jr. High Religion & Music
- Grade 8: Kara Pabst
- Art & Computers: Amy Greenbank
- Jr. High SS & P.E.: Adam McMorris
- Barton Reading: Kathy Rackers
- Cooks: Breanne Talken & DeDra Kilgore
- Custodian: Shell Hickman
Parish Staff & Pastoral Council
The parish is served by a pastor, two deacons, a parish secretary, bookkeeper, and Director of Religious Education. The Parish Council provides elected lay leadership across the parish's life and mission. Annual fundraisers like the SFX Online Silent Auction support parish projects.
- Pastor: Rev. Kelechi Uzuegbu ([email protected], ext. 1004)
- Deacon Michael Berendzen ([email protected], 573-694-4916)
- Deacon Keith Henke ([email protected])
- Parish Secretary: Laurie Herzing ([email protected], ext. 1001)
- Bookkeeper: Cecilia Lock ([email protected], ext. 1002)
- Director of Religious Education: Cathy Singer ([email protected], ext. 1003)
- Pastoral Council 2024–25: Steve LePage (President), Randy Kempker (VP), Maureen LeRoy (Secretary), Jean Decker (Social Concerns), Lacy Green, Russell Richter, Tom Sanning, Stacy Strope, Wendy Sullivan, Linda Tobar, Kristen Wegman, Diana Wekenborg, Josh Sandbothe (Property Manager)
Knights of Columbus Council #6430
Knights of Columbus #6430 — St. Francis Xavier is a Catholic, family, fraternal, service organization based at 7128 Route M, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Established in 1973, the council serves the church community through religious and civic activities, upholding the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. Catholic men aged 18 and older are invited to join.
- Council #6430 — established 1973
- Hall address: 7128 Route M, Jefferson City, MO 65101
- Website: http://taoskofc.org
Men of Signum Crucis
A Catholic men's fraternity committed to study, devotion, and service. Members meet monthly (recently at Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City), pray the Rosary together, and hear presentations on Catholic topics. Contact Ken Sandbothe at 573-644-4088 or visit menofsignumcrucis.com.
- Monthly gathering with Rosary and topical presentation
- Fraternity through Catholic Study, Devotion, and Service
Parish Life & Fundraisers
The parish nurtures community through Faith and Fellowship gatherings, the annual SFX Online Silent Auction (held in early November), Knights of Columbus activities, and school–parish cooperation on greeting days and service projects. Visitors and newcomers are explicitly welcomed at every Mass.
- Faith and Fellowship planning meetings
- SFX Online Silent Auction (early November)
- Tuesday-morning school greeting ministry
- Advent meditation giveaways and Lenten parish retreat
Contact & Visit
Parish staff are available 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday through Friday. Bulletin submissions are due by the Monday prior to publication. Call the office for hall rental and keys, cemetery information, Mass intentions, parish registration, or to make an appointment with the pastor.
- Address: 7319 Route M, Jefferson City (Taos), MO 65101
- Phone: 573-395-4401 · Fax: 573-395-4302
- General email: [email protected]
- Office email (parish email of record): [email protected]
- Office hours: Tue–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Architecture, Bells & Organ
The 1883 church is a Romanesque Revival 'center-steeple' rural church built from local brick and stone, with walls twenty-two inches thick and a 190-foot bell tower. Three bells cast by the Henry Stuckstede Foundry in St. Louis were dedicated in 1893 in honor of St. John. A thirteen-register pipe organ was added in 1898 and was restored in 1940 and again in 1994. Renovations were undertaken in 1955, 1974, and 1984; the 'Our Parish, Our Future' campaign raised nearly $1.5 million for church and school improvements.
- Style: Romanesque Revival, 'center-steeple' type
- Bell tower: 190 feet, three bells dedicated 1893
- Pipe organ: thirteen registers, installed 1898
- Rectory: Tudor Revival, 1923 (Ludewig & Dreisoerner)
- Major renovations: 1955, 1974, 1984, and post-2016 'Our Parish, Our Future'
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Ferdinand Helias, SJ1838–1874
Founder; 'Apostle of Central Missouri'; Jesuit missionary who came to serve German immigrants; built the 1840 log church and the 1844 stone church; died in the churchyard on August 11, 1874, and was reinterred inside the present church in 1964.
- Fr. John Gruenderfrom 1881
Drew up plans for the present (third) church as the stone church had become too small; oversaw its construction in 1883.
- Msgr. Poelker1964 pastorate
During his pastorate, Fr. Helias's body was exhumed from the parish cemetery on February 29, 1964 and reinterred in the entry of the current church on Memorial Day 1964.