About St. John · Benson, Illinois
St. John Catholic Church is a small rural parish located at 209 Jefferson Street in the village of Benson, Illinois, established in 1873. Originally staffed for many years by Franciscan Friars, the parish was later taken over by the administration of the Diocese of Peoria. Today, St. John's is linked with St. Mary's Parish in nearby El Paso, and the two parishes share pastoral leadership, staff, and joint activities such as Vacation Bible School and an annual parish picnic. The parish describes itself as 'small but young and vibrant,' welcoming visitors to its Sunday morning Mass.
- Established
- 1873
- Patron
- St. John
- Rector
- Father Justin Ramza
- Diocese
- Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
St. John's Benson offers a small, tight-knit Catholic community where parishioners can take real ownership of parish life through hands-on ministries. The parish shares clergy, faith formation, and social activities with St. Mary's El Paso, including Vacation Bible School and an annual parish picnic, giving families and individuals a wider fellowship while keeping Sunday worship intimate at the Benson church. With weekly Sunday Mass, regular Confession times, ongoing faith formation through its DRE, and lay-led groups like the Altar and Rosary Society, St. John's is a welcoming place for Catholics in rural Woodford County to worship and serve.
Mass times at St. John
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: before 8:00 AM Mass (St. John's)
- Wednesday: 4:35–5:00 PM (St. John's)
- By appointment: call 309-527-4555, email [email protected] or [email protected]
Adoration times
- First Tuesday of the Month: 4:30 PM (at St. Mary's, El Paso)
History of St. John Parish, Benson
St. John's Church in Benson was established in 1873, the same year the village of Benson was founded. Both the parish and the town marked their 150th anniversary in 2023. For many years the parish was staffed by the Franciscan Friars before the Diocese of Peoria took over its administration. Today the parish remains an active Catholic community in rural Woodford County.
- Founded: 1873
- 150th anniversary celebrated: 2023
- Formerly staffed by the Franciscan Friars
- Now administered by the Diocese of Peoria
Pastoral Link with St. Mary's, El Paso
While St. John's Benson and St. Mary's El Paso are two separate canonical parishes within the Diocese of Peoria, they are pastorally linked and share clergy, staff, and many activities. The shared pastor ministers to both communities, and the parishes cooperate on faith formation, Vacation Bible School, and an annual parish picnic.
- Shared pastor: Father Justin Ramza (ordained 2023)
- Shared secretary: Jessica Heineke (office at St. Mary's rectory)
- Joint faith formation programs
- Joint Vacation Bible School and parish picnic
Parish Staff
The linked parishes of St. Mary's El Paso and St. John's Benson share several staff members who minister across both communities.
- Father Justin Ramza – Pastor (ordained 2023)
- Jessica Heineke – Parish Secretary (office at St. Mary's rectory; hours Mon & Wed 8:00 AM–2:30 PM, Fri 8:00 AM–12:00 PM)
- Allison Malcom – DRE for St. Mary's, El Paso
- Stephanie Harms – DRE for St. John's, Benson
Sacraments
The parish offers preparation for the sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, and the Anointing of the Sick, as well as the RCIA process for adult candidates. Marriage preparation requires six to eight months of planning, and Baptism requires parents to be registered, active parishioners who attend a preparation class with the pastor.
- Baptism Preparation (by appointment; class with pastor required)
- Marriage Preparation (6–8 month process; contact rectory first)
- Anointing of the Sick (available to shut-ins on request)
- RCIA – adult initiation into the Catholic faith
Parish Ministries & Lay Groups
St. John's Benson supports a range of lay-led ministries, many of them shared with St. Mary's El Paso. The Altar and Rosary Society meets on the first Tuesday of the month, and a team coordinates funeral luncheons for the parish.
- Altar and Rosary Society – St. John's (first Tuesday; Rose Wolf / Mary Gerdes)
- Funeral Luncheons – St. John's (Diane Wheelwright 309-657-2584 / Mary Peterson 309-394-2535)
- Ministry to Shut-ins
- Eucharistic Adoration
- RCIA
- Knights of Columbus (at St. Mary's)
- Christ Child Society (at St. Mary's)
- Vacation Bible School (joint)
Visit & Contact
St. John's Catholic Church sits at 209 Jefferson Street in the village of Benson, Illinois. Parishioners and visitors are warmly invited to join the Sunday 8:00 AM Mass. Because the parish shares staff with St. Mary's, the parish office and secretary are based at the St. Mary's rectory in El Paso.
- Address: 209 Jefferson Street, Benson, IL 61516
- Mailing: c/o St. Mary, PO Box 197, El Paso, IL 61738
- Phone: (309) 527-4555
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.stmaryselpaso.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Robert Rayson
Previously served as pastor of both St. Mary's El Paso and St. John's Benson; contact email [email protected] still referenced on parish materials.
- Father Justin Ramza2023–present
Current pastor of the linked parishes of St. Mary's El Paso and St. John's Benson; ordained in 2023.