About St. Gianna · Wentzville, Missouri
St. Gianna Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Wentzville, Missouri, belonging to the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Founded in 2006 by Archbishop Raymond Burke, it was the first parish in the United States dedicated to St. Gianna Beretta Molla, the Italian physician and martyr who died in 1962. The parish is known for housing restored Emil Frei stained-glass windows rescued from the old St. Philip Neri Church in north St. Louis, and for the painted artwork throughout the church, much of which was created by its long-serving pastor, Father Timothy P. Elliott. With daily Mass, an extensive Eucharistic Adoration schedule, and a deep bench of devotional, educational, and outreach ministries, St. Gianna presents itself as a community of missionary disciples endeavoring to live the Joy of the Gospel in rapidly growing St. Charles County.
- Established
- 2006
- Patron
- St. Gianna Beretta Molla
- Rector
- Rev. Timothy P. Elliott
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
St. Gianna offers a rare combination of daily Mass (Monday through Saturday at 8:00 a.m., plus a Saturday vigil and two Sunday Masses), an unusually rich Eucharistic Adoration schedule spanning all four weekdays with overnight adoration on Mondays, and an extensive array of devotions — including the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Perpetual Help Devotions, Litany of St. Joseph, and a weekly Litany and blessing with a first-class relic of St. Gianna. The parish also stands out as the first in the United States dedicated to St. Gianna Beretta Molla, with a first-class relic of her hair, a piece of her communion dress, and gloves that belonged to her on display, plus a monthly blessing with her relic after the first-Saturday Mass. Its roughly two dozen ministries and groups — Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Flame of Love Cenacle, Women's Guild, She Shall Be Called Woman, That Man Is You, Heart of Mary Co-Op, Classical Co-Op, PSR, OCIA, and many more — make it easy for newcomers and families to plug into faith formation, fellowship, and outreach.
Mass times at St. Gianna
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 7:30–7:50 am
- Tuesday 7:30–7:50 am
- Wednesday 7:30–7:50 am
- Thursday 7:30–7:50 am
- Friday 7:30–7:50 am
- Saturday 7:30–7:50 am and 4:15–4:50 pm
- Sunday 7:30–7:50 am and 10:15–10:50 am
Adoration times
- Monday 8:30 am – 11:59 pm (overnight into Tuesday)
- Tuesday 12:00 am – 6:30 pm, closing with Benediction
- Wednesday 8:30 am – 8:30 pm
- Thursday 9:30 am – 9:30 pm
Parish Identity & Patron Saint
St. Gianna Catholic Church is named for St. Gianna Beretta Molla (1922–1962), an Italian pediatrician and mother who is celebrated for choosing to give her own life so that her unborn child might live. Her famous words — 'Whatever God wants' — are highlighted on the parish website. The parish was founded in 2006 as the first in the United States dedicated to her, and her presence is woven into nearly every corner of parish life. A first-class relic of her hair, a piece of her communion dress, and a set of gloves that belonged to her are displayed at the parish, and a Litany of St. Gianna with blessing of her relic is prayed weekly after the Saturday Rosary.
- Patron: St. Gianna Beretta Molla (feast day April 28)
- Founded 2006 by Archbishop Raymond Burke
- First U.S. parish dedicated to St. Gianna
- Enshrinement of picture and relic of St. Gianna at the parish on May 31, 2006, with Archbishop Burke and Thomas McKenna of the St. Gianna Physician's Guild
- First-class relic of St. Gianna on display with monthly blessing after the first-Saturday Mass
History & Architecture
The parish was established in 2006 in response to growth in St. Charles County, first worshipping at a temporary facility at 8676 Orf Road in Lake Saint Louis. It moved to its permanent home on a 25-acre site at 450 East Highway N in Wentzville, where the new church was built incorporating marble altars and stained-glass windows rescued from the closing St. Philip Neri Church in north St. Louis. The Emil Frei windows were carefully restored with donated funds from parish families. The interior of the church is notable for its painted artwork, much of which was personally created by founding pastor Father Timothy P. Elliott. In 2022 the parish drew public attention as parishioners organized to fight the Archdiocese's plan to suppress and merge the parish.
- Permanent campus: 450 East Highway N, Wentzville, MO 63385 (25 acres)
- Former temporary worship site: 8676 Orf Road, Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367
- Emil Frei stained-glass windows from St. Philip Neri Church (north St. Louis)
- Marble altars also preserved from St. Philip Neri
- Interiors painted largely by Fr. Timothy Elliott
Devotions & Spiritual Life
Beyond the Mass and Adoration schedule, St. Gianna offers a deep bench of traditional Catholic devotions. The Rosary is prayed daily — Sunday through Friday at 7:35 am, Saturdays at 7:30 am as a Pro-Life Rosary, and again at 4:35 pm led by the Knights of Columbus. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed on Sundays at 10:45 am, Perpetual Help Devotions follow Tuesday Mass, the Litany of St. Joseph follows Wednesday Mass, and the Litany of St. Gianna with blessing of her relic follows the Saturday Rosary. The Holy Face Chaplet is prayed on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays after the 8:00 am Mass. Families gather on the 13th of each month at 7:00 pm at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima for a community Rosary.
- Daily Rosary (Sun–Fri 7:35 am; Sat 7:30 am Pro-Life & 4:35 pm Knights of Columbus)
- Divine Mercy Chaplet Sundays 10:45 am
- Perpetual Help Devotions – Tuesdays after Mass
- Litany of St. Joseph – Wednesdays after Mass
- Litany of St. Gianna & blessing with relic – Saturdays after Rosary
- Holy Face Chaplet – 1st & 3rd Tuesdays after Mass
- Stations of the Cross – Fridays during Lent at 7:00 pm
- Rosary for the Whole Family – 13th of each month at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima
Sacraments
Parishioners seeking any of the seven sacraments are asked to call the parish office at (636) 327-3639 to begin the process. Baptisms are typically celebrated on Sundays after the 11:00 am Mass. Couples preparing for Holy Matrimony are asked to contact the parish at least six months in advance. Those discerning a vocation to Holy Orders are referred to either the parish office or the St. Louis Vocations office at (314) 792-6460. The Anointing of the Sick is available on request, and adult initiation is handled through the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program under Father Elliott.
- Baptism – Sundays after 11:00 am Mass
- Confirmation – by appointment
- Holy Matrimony – at least 6 months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick – by appointment
- Holy Orders – via parish or StL Vocations (314) 792-6460
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) – directed by Father Elliott
Faith Formation & Education
St. Gianna runs a comprehensive faith-formation program anchored by the Parish School of Religion (PSR), directed by Nancy Burian, CRE, which provides religious education for parish children. Adult initiation is offered through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) under Father Elliott. In addition, the parish hosts two home-school cooperatives: the Classical Co-Op (Kindergarten through Grade 12, led by Theresa Citrowske) and the Heart of Mary Co-Op, which has a Junior program for Pre-K through Grade 5 (Emily Hentschel) and a Senior program for Grades 6 through 12 (Jennifer Knaust), both meeting Wednesdays 8:45 am – 3:15 pm.
- PSR (Parish School of Religion) – Nancy Burian, CRE
- OCIA – Order of Christian Initiation of Adults – Father Elliott
- Classical Co-Op (K–12) – Theresa Citrowske
- Heart of Mary Co-Op Junior (Pre-K–5) – Emily Hentschel
- Heart of Mary Co-Op Senior (Grades 6–12) – Jennifer Knaust
Parish Ministries & Groups
St. Gianna supports a large and varied complement of lay ministries and small groups. Pastoral outreach runs through St. Vincent de Paul (which assists with basic needs of individuals and families within parish boundaries), the Bereavement Luncheon ministry, and the Church Cleaners. Men's, women's, and family formation includes the Knights of Columbus Council #14561 (led by Grand Knight Stan Mundwiller), the Women's Guild, She Shall Be Called Woman, That Man Is You (TMIY), and the Mom's Group. Specialized spiritual apostolates include the Flame of Love Cenacle, Holy Face Prayer Group, Jonah Prayer Team, Marian Friars Minor Third Order, and Militia Immaculate. Lector ministry is coordinated by Charlotte Litzinger and Jonah Litzinger. Practical fellowship is provided by the Quilters (Thursday mornings after Mass) and the Garden Club.
- Knights of Columbus Council #14561 – meets 2nd Wed, 7:00 pm in Fr. Elliott Hall
- St. Vincent de Paul – meets 4th Thursday at 6:15 pm
- Women's Guild – meets 2nd Wednesday at 1:00 pm
- That Man Is You (TMIY) – Saturdays 6:30 am; contact Paul Wessel
- She Shall Be Called Woman – Saturdays 8:30 am
- Mom's Group – every other Tuesday 9:15 am
- Quilters – Thursday mornings after Mass
- Flame of Love Cenacle – Monday evenings 7:30–8:30 pm
- Militia Immaculate – 2nd Wednesday at 12:30 pm in Conference Room
- Holy Face Prayer Group, Jonah Prayer Team, Garden Club, Church Cleaners, Lectors, Bereavement Luncheons
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by founding pastor Father Timothy P. Elliott. Rita Schulte serves as Parish Secretary and is the primary point of contact at the office. Paula Brown coordinates the Music Ministry, and Brian Niehaus serves as Youth Minister and Evangelization Coordinator. Nancy Burian directs the Parish School of Religion. Theresa Citrowske heads the Classical Co-Op, while Emily Hentschel and Jennifer Knaust lead the Heart of Mary Co-Op's Junior and Senior programs, respectively.
- Pastor – Fr. Timothy P. Elliott (ext. 2 for OCIA)
- Parish Secretary – Rita Schulte
- Music Coordinator – Paula Brown
- Youth Minister & Evangelization Coordinator – Brian Niehaus
- PSR Coordinator – Nancy Burian, CRE
- Classical Co-Op – Theresa Citrowske
- Heart of Mary Co-Op Junior – Emily Hentschel
- Heart of Mary Co-Op Senior – Jennifer Knaust
Bulletin & Parish News
St. Gianna publishes a weekly parish bulletin (printed and online) which serves as the main channel for upcoming events, ministry announcements, and liturgical notes. Recent bulletins have highlighted the upcoming dedication of the Stations of the Cross, the National Day of Remembrance for aborted children, the Jubilee of Relics at Immaculate Heart of Mary in New Melle, the Retrouvaille STL marriage-retreat weekend, and a recurring schedule of Pro-Life Rosaries, Flame of Love Cenacle meetings, and Knights of Columbus gatherings.
- Weekly bulletins available via the parish website
- Pro-Life Rosary each Saturday morning
- Dedication of the Stations of the Cross and Stations of the Cross during Lent
- Retrouvaille STL marriage-retreat weekend promoted parish-wide
Visit, Connect & Practical Information
Visitors are warmly welcomed at St. Gianna. The parish office is open during regular business hours at (636) 327-3639 (fax 636-327-3854) and emails may be directed to [email protected]. The parish maintains an active Facebook presence and posts bulletins, schedules, and ministry contact information on its website at stgiannaparish.org. The Archdiocese of St. Louis publishes a parish boundary description and map for St. Gianna online, which is useful for those wondering whether they fall within the parish's territorial jurisdiction.
- Office phone: (636) 327-3639; Fax: (636) 327-3854
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.stgiannaparish.org/
- Facebook: facebook.com/stgiannaparish
- Parish boundary description and map available via the Archdiocese of St. Louis
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Timothy P. ElliottFounding pastor (2006–)
Served as pastor since the parish's establishment in 2006; personally executed much of the painted artwork inside the church; referenced as 'Fr. Elliott' in parish materials and identified as the speaker who summarized the parish's enshrinement devotion to St. Gianna in 2006.