About St. James · Millstadt, Illinois
St. James Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Millstadt, Illinois, in St. Clair County, founded in 1851 when early German Catholic settlers built a brick church to replace the earlier log St. Thomas the Apostle Chapel. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Belleville and is partnered with St. John the Baptist in Smithton and St. Michael in Paderborn. The parish runs St. James Grade School (Pre-K through 8) on West Washington Street and offers a Parish School of Religion (PSR) program, with Mass celebrated in English on Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. and Sundays at 10:00 a.m. In 2026 the parish will celebrate its 175th anniversary on September 20th.
- Established
- 1851
- Patron
- St. James (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Rev. Evaristus Akabueze, CM (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville
Why belong here
St. James is a small, multi-generational parish that has served Millstadt since 1851 and still keeps the rhythms of an old country parish: weekly Saturday confessions, weekday Mass, monthly Eucharistic Adoration, and a tight-knit school community. Visitors and parishioners are welcomed by a greeter team, supported by a parish school and PSR program for children, and invited into ministries ranging from RCIA (OCIA) and the Knights of Columbus to the Council of Catholic Women and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The parish is also a hub for community life — its annual Summer Festival, quilt raffles, auctions, and Adopt-a-Student campaign keep Catholic education accessible.
Mass times at St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. (per parish website: 4:15 p.m. – 4:40 p.m. — see note)
- By appointment with the Pastor
- Special Penance Services during Advent and Lent (see bulletin)
Adoration times
- First Wednesday of the month, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance, with rosary prayed before and after)
About St. James Catholic Church, Millstadt
St. James is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Belleville located at 405 W. Madison Street in Millstadt, Illinois (St. Clair County). Founded in 1851, the parish is partnered with St. John the Baptist in Smithton and St. Michael in Paderborn, and it operates St. James Grade School on West Washington Street. The parish is led by Administrator Rev. Evaristus Akabueze, CM, with Deacon William Mueller assisting. The parish is preparing to mark its 175th anniversary on September 20, 2026.
- Diocese: Belleville
- Established: 1851
- Address: 405 W. Madison, Millstadt, IL 62260
- Phone: 618-476-3513
- Website: stjamesmillstadt.com
History of the Parish
German Catholic settlers in the Centreville/Millstadt area first worshipped at the log St. Thomas the Apostle Chapel, dedicated November 26, 1837 by Bishop Joseph Rosati of St. Louis. As the Catholic population grew, a new brick church was built in Millstadt and dedicated in 1851 under the patronage of St. James. The first resident pastor was Rev. Henry Liermann (1851–1857), and the parish has continued with a succession of pastors (Raphael, Bartels, Lohman, Oberprantacher, Trojan, Pommer, Breinlinger, Munier, Lohman, Jantzen, Albert, Hellrung) into the present day. A new school building was dedicated in 1958 and the parish school continues to operate.
- 1837 — St. Thomas the Apostle Chapel (log) dedicated by Bishop Joseph Rosati
- 1851 — St. James brick church dedicated; first resident pastor Rev. Henry Liermann
- 1851–1857 — Rev. Henry Liermann
- 1857–1859 — Rev. E. H. Raphael
- 1862–1865 — Rev. Bartholomew Bartels
- 1866 — Rev. Francis Lohman
- 1866–1868 — Rev. C. Oberprantacher
- 1868–1871 — Rev. F. Trojan
- 1871–1886 — Rev. L. Pommer
- 1886–1917 — Rev. Albin Breinlinger
- 1917–1923 — Rev. Joseph Munier
- 1923–1924 — Rev. George Lohman
- 1924–1927 — Rev. John Jantzen
- 1927–1945 — Rev. Henry Albert
- 1945–1946 — Rev. Charles Hellrung
- 1958 — new parish school dedicated
- 2026 — 175th anniversary celebrated September 20
Parish Staff and Clergy
St. James is currently administered by Rev. Evaristus Akabueze, CM (a Vincentian priest of the Congregation of the Mission). Deacon William Mueller assists. The parish and school offices are staffed by a CRE, music director, secretary, bookkeeper, principal, and school secretary.
- Administrator: Rev. Evaristus Akabueze, CM
- Deacon: Deacon William Mueller
- CRE (Coordinator of Religious Education): Mrs. Stephanie Herling
- Director of Music: Ms. Adrienne LaCroix
- Parish Secretary: Mrs. Samantha Bassler
- Bookkeeper: Mrs. Kathy Mueller
- Principal: Dr. Kristin Laws
- School Secretary: Mrs. Karen Jones
St. James Catholic Grade School
St. James Grade School is the parish school, located at 412 West Washington, Millstadt, IL 62260 (phone 618-476-3510). It serves Pre-K through Grade 8 and is led by Principal Dr. Kristin Laws, with Mrs. Karen Jones as school secretary. The school partners with PSR for sacramental preparation and runs an Adopt-a-Student program so that no child is denied a Catholic education because of financial hardship. Registration for the 2026/2027 school year is open.
- Address: 412 West Washington, Millstadt, IL 62260
- Phone: 618-476-3510
- Principal: Dr. Kristin Laws
- Adopt-a-Student tuition assistance program
- Registration open for 2026/2027 school year
Parish School of Religion (PSR)
For children who do not attend St. James School, the Parish School of Religion offers catechesis for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Classes meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:20 to 7:30 p.m. in St. James Catholic School, September through April, and the program prepares students for the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation.
- Grades K–8
- Tuesdays, 6:20–7:30 p.m.
- September–April
- Sacramental prep for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation
Sacraments at St. James
St. James prepares Catholics of every age for the sacraments of initiation and the continuing sacramental life of the parish. Baptism is arranged through the Pastor with preparation for first-time parents; adults seeking baptism enter through OCIA (RCIA) beginning in September and concluding at the Easter Vigil. Children typically receive First Communion in 2nd grade and Confirmation in 8th grade, prepared through St. James School or PSR.
- Baptism — contact the Pastor; preparation for first-time parents
- OCIA / RCIA — September start, Easter Vigil completion
- First Communion — typically 2nd grade; Sunday after Easter
- Confirmation — typically 8th grade; Bishop sets the date in the Easter Season
- Reconciliation — received in 2nd year alongside First Communion
- Marriage — contact the rectory
- Anointing / visits to the sick — Divine Mercy Chaplet visits by request
Parish Organizations and Ministries
St. James is supported by an unusually full roster of lay organizations and ministries for a parish of its size. Volunteers of every age and skill are invited to serve in liturgy, charity, formation, fellowship, and stewardship of the buildings and grounds.
- Council of Catholic Women (CCW) — first Monday of the month
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — 4th Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
- Knights of Columbus — 2nd Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. at the Columbus Club
- Liturgy Committee — meets twice yearly (spring and fall)
- Welcome Committee
- "J" Team — building and grounds maintenance
- Quilters — Tuesdays 4:30–9:30 p.m. and Wednesdays 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
- Boy Scout Troop 622 — Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
- Divine Mercy to the Sick — visits on request
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical life at St. James is supported by a team of trained lay volunteers: lectors proclaim the readings, greeters welcome parishioners at the door, ushers assist with seating and collections, gift bearers bring up the gifts at the Offertory, and the Adult Choir leads music under Director of Music Ms. Adrienne LaCroix. Students in grades 4–8 are invited to serve as Knights of the Altar Servers, with training provided.
- Lectors
- Greeters
- Ushers
- Gift Bearers
- Adult Choir (Director: Ms. Adrienne LaCroix)
- Knights of the Altar Servers (grades 4–8)
Contact and Practical Information
The rectory is open Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The parish mailing address, phone, and email are the same as listed below. The school has a separate phone line (618-476-3510) and is at 412 West Washington. Confessions are scheduled before the Vigil Mass on Saturdays and can also be made by appointment.
- Rectory: 405 W. Madison, Millstadt, IL 62260
- Rectory phone: 618-476-3513
- Rectory email: [email protected]
- School: 412 West Washington, Millstadt, IL 62260
- School phone: 618-476-3510
- Rectory hours: Tue–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Website: stjamesmillstadt.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Henry Liermann1851–1857
First resident pastor
- Rev. E. H. Raphael1857–1859
- Rev. Bartholomew Bartels1862–1865
- Rev. Francis Lohman1866
- Rev. C. Oberprantacher1866–1868
- Rev. F. Trojan1868–1871
- Rev. L. Pommer1871–1886
- Rev. Albin Breinlinger1886–1917
- Rev. Joseph Munier1917–1923
- Rev. George Lohman1923–1924
- Rev. John Jantzen1924–1927
- Rev. Henry Albert1927–1945
- Rev. Charles Hellrung1945–1946