About St. Joseph · Farmington, Missouri
St. Joseph Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Farmington, Missouri, canonically established on July 27, 1890, and entrusted to the Archdiocese of St. Louis. With roughly 615 families (about 1,600 parishioners), the parish centers its life on prayer, worship, teaching, faith-sharing, and service to others, under the patronage of St. Joseph. The parish worships in a Romanesque church built in 1911–1912, and its campus includes a parish center (built 2002), St. Joseph Catholic School (Preschool through Grade 8), and ministries ranging from the Knights of Columbus and Women of Mary to St. Vincent de Paul and a Respect Life Committee. Liturgies are celebrated in both English and Spanish, with a Saturday Vigil, three Sunday morning Masses, a Spanish Mass, and a full school-day Mass schedule.
- Established
- 1890
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Gerson Parra Meza (Parochial Administrator, arrived July 2025)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
St. Joseph offers a rich Catholic life for families in Farmington and St. Francois County, with four Sunday Masses (including a Spanish Mass), daily Mass Monday through Friday, Eucharistic Adoration every Thursday and on First Fridays, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation every Saturday. The parish supports parishioners at every stage of life — Preschool through Grade 8 at St. Joseph Catholic School, Parish School of Religion (PSR) for grades 1–8, a vibrant youth ministry led by Jake and Mandy Whitener, OCIA (formerly RCIA) with Connie Grindel, and active groups like the Knights of Columbus Council #12332, the Women of Mary Altar Society, the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, the Respect Life Committee, and the HIVE parent organization. With 615 families and a mission centered on prayer, worship, teaching, service, and stewardship under St. Joseph's patronage, it is a welcoming place to belong.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday: 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
- Any other time by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (Eucharistic Adoration)
- First Friday: 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Welcome & Parish Identity
St. Joseph Parish describes itself as a welcoming community rooted in the Gospel of Jesus, founded in 1890 and called by Our Lord Jesus Christ to be His church and live His gospel. The parish strives to fulfill its baptismal calling through prayer, worship, teaching, sharing faith, and serving others, guided by the Holy Spirit and the patronage of St. Joseph. Today the parish family includes about 615 households and roughly 1,600 people. The parish office at 10 N. Long Street is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
- Founded: 1890
- Patron: St. Joseph
- Parish size: ~615 families / ~1,600 parishioners
- Office hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
- Phone: (573) 756-4250
Parish History
Catholic life in Farmington began with a Mass in 1862 in the home of Thomas and Mrs. Lang. A frame church seating 80 was built on donated land in 1869, the first rectory and resident pastor arrived in 1890, and the present Romanesque church was constructed in 1911–1912. Across 135+ years, the parish has grown from 15 people to 1,600, with the school, convent, parish center, and cemetery added over time, and the parish council formed in 1980.
- 1862 — First Mass in Farmington (Lang home, 15 attendees)
- 1869 — Frame church built on Bush family land; cost $600, 80 seats
- 1890 — Canonical establishment (July 27, 1890); first resident pastor Father Henry J. Shaw
- 1897 — Father James Toomey opens school in the sacristy
- 1903 — Dominican nuns from New York begin teaching
- 1907 — Ursuline Sisters arrive under Father Joseph Collins
- 1912 — Present Romanesque church dedicated by Archbishop Glennon, Oct. 13, 1912
- 1969 — Present rectory built (Father Jerome Buchheit)
- 1979 — Old convent demolished
- 1980 — Parish Council formed; Special Ministers of the Eucharist commissioned June 15
- 2002 — New Parish Center built
- 2025 — Father Gerson Parra Meza arrives as 27th pastor
Clergy & Staff
Father Gerson Parra Meza serves as Parochial Administrator (since July 2025). He is assisted by two permanent deacons, Deacon Mark Byington and Deacon Rich Doré, and a lay pastoral team. The parish office is led by Business Manager Lisa Cartee; youth ministry is led by Jake and Mandy Whitener; Jane Ramos directs the Parish School of Religion and Music; Connie Grindel coordinates OCIA; Dr. John Boyd is Principal/Preschool Director of St. Joseph Catholic School.
- Parochial Administrator: Rev. Gerson Parra Meza
- Deacon: Mark Byington
- Deacon: Richard (Rich) Doré
- Business Manager: Lisa Cartee
- CRE/PSR Director/Music: Jane Ramos
- Youth Ministers: Jake and Mandy Whitener
- OCIA Coordinator: Connie Grindel
- Bulletin Editor: Abe AuBuchon
- Parish Council President: Tom Benoist
- Finance Council President: John Denkler
- School Board President: Dan Jaycox
- Knights of Columbus liaison: Chris Martin
- Cemetery Association: Ed Brown
- Women of Mary President: Donna Conklin
- HIVE contact: Katie Goodson
Mass & Sacraments Schedule
The parish offers a robust weekly and daily Mass schedule, including a Saturday Vigil, four Sunday Masses (one in Spanish), and daily Mass Monday through Friday, with a special school Mass during the academic year. Reconciliation is offered twice a week and by appointment; Eucharistic Adoration is held Thursdays and First Fridays.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM (English)
- Sunday: 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM (English); 12:15 PM (Spanish)
- Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM
- Thursday also: 6:00 PM
- Holy Days: 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 7:00 PM
- School Mass: Friday 8:00 AM (Aug–May)
- Reconciliation: Thu. 5:00–5:30 PM; Sat. 4:00–4:45 PM; or by appointment
- Eucharistic Adoration: Thu. 8:30 AM–5:30 PM; First Fri. 8:30 AM–2:30 PM
St. Joseph Catholic School
Located at 501 Ste. Genevieve Ave., Farmington, MO, St. Joseph Catholic School serves Preschool through Grade 8 with a faith-centered, academically challenging curriculum. The school integrates faith into every subject, partners with parents as primary educators, and follows the Great Commission's call to make disciples of all nations. The school's faculty and staff include a principal/preschool director, librarian, PE and art teachers, a school secretary, and grade-level teachers Pre-K through 8th.
- Address: 501 Ste. Genevieve Ave., Farmington, MO 63640
- Phone: (573) 756-6312
- Principal/Preschool Director: Dr. John Boyd
- School Secretary: Linda Hagan
- Preschool Teacher: Lauren Thebeau
- Pre-K: Marsha Brown
- Kindergarten: Emily Hale
- 1st Grade: Kim Amsden
- 2nd Grade: Michelle England
- 3rd Grade: Stacey Schweitzer
- 4th Grade: Laura Wadlow
- 5th Grade: John England
- 6th Grade: Amy Williams
- 7th Grade: Melissa Tindall
- 8th Grade: Linda Ferguson
- Art Teacher: Janine Gault
- PE Teacher: Bradley Chambers
- Librarian: Jodie Berkbigler
- After School Care: Pat Fingerhut
- Maintenance: John Podolak, Dylan Kelso
- Facebook: facebook.com/SJCSFarmington
Faith Formation — Parish School of Religion (PSR) & OCIA
The Parish School of Religion (PSR) supports parents in the faith development of their children, offering spiritual formation through specialized programs for grades 1 through 8 on Wednesday evenings. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) process is coordinated by Connie Grindel and welcomes inquirers seeking Baptism, Eucharist, or Confirmation, with the parish Respect Life Committee sending welcome cards to new members at Easter.
- PSR grades 1–8, Wednesday evenings
- Director: Jane Ramos (573-756-6312, [email protected])
- OCIA Coordinator: Connie Grindel ([email protected])
- Parent partnership model
Parish Organizations & Ministries
St. Joseph is supported by a wide spectrum of lay-led organizations that meet education, music, service, and administrative needs. From the long-running Women of Mary Altar Society to the more recent HIVE parent group, parishioners find many ways to serve.
- Knights of Columbus Council #12332 — meets 1st Wed., 7:00 PM, Lober Building
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — food pantry Tues./Fri. 9 AM–12 noon
- Women of Mary (Blessed Virgin Mary Altar Society)
- Respect Life Committee
- HIVE (Helping Informative Volunteers and Educators)
- Parish Council (meets 4th Thu. every other month)
- Finance Council
- School Board and Athletics
- Property and Maintenance Commission
- Cemetery Association
Outreach & Charitable Works
Outreach flows through several structured ministries. The St. Vincent de Paul food pantry (Tues./Fri. 9 AM–12 noon, St. Vincent Building, 573-756-0997) assists families in need with food and monetary donations. The Respect Life Committee sponsors baby-item drives for the local pregnancy center and hospitals, promotes the October Life Chain, and supports a local Pro-Life billboard. The Knights of Columbus supports the mentally handicapped, Right to Life, youth programs, blood drives, and the parish picnic.
- St. Vincent de Paul food pantry
- Respect Life — baby item drives, Life Chain, welcome cards
- Knights of Columbus — parish and school fundraisers, blood drives
- Women of Mary — bereavement ministry, nursing home rosary, Prayer Power
Parish Leadership Councils
The Parish Council coordinates and unifies parish life across proclamation, community, service, and celebration, meeting on the fourth Thursday of every other month (September through May). The Finance Council advises the pastor on budget, monitors income and expenditures, and prepares an annual budget. Members are appointed by the pastor for their expertise in budget and finance.
- Parish Council President: Tom Benoist (term 2027)
- Parish Council members: Mark Berkbigler (2026), Jimmy Gibson (2026), Shirley Bieser (2027), Mario Leon (2027), Karen Jones (2028), Jennifer Rhodus (2028)
- Finance Council President: John Denkler
- Finance Council members: Rob Grindel (ex officio), Tom Berkbigler, Chuck Hayden, Cory Herzog
Facilities & Campus
The St. Joseph campus includes the historic Romanesque church (1912), the present rectory (1969), the Parish Center (2002), St. Joseph Catholic School (501 Ste. Genevieve Ave.), the Knights Meeting Room in the Lober Building, and the St. Vincent Building (north side of the church, housing the food pantry). The parish cemetery is another feature of parish life, overseen by the Cemetery Association.
- Romanesque church (1912)
- Present rectory (1969)
- Parish Center (2002)
- St. Joseph Catholic School (501 Ste. Genevieve Ave.)
- Knights Meeting Room in the Lober Building
- St. Vincent Building (food pantry)
- Parish cemetery
Devotions & Spiritual Life
Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish offers several regular devotions: Thursday and First Friday Eucharistic Adoration, daily Mass Monday through Friday, and the Holy Day schedule. The Women of Mary's Prayer Power and nursing home rosary extend Marian devotion to the homebound. The parish also celebrates the special ministries of the Eucharist first commissioned in 1980.
- Eucharistic Adoration: Thursdays 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
- First Friday Adoration: 8:30 AM–2:30 PM
- Daily Mass Mon–Fri 8:00 AM
- Women of Mary: Prayer Power, nursing home rosary
- Special Ministers of the Eucharist (commissioned 1980)
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors are warmly invited to contact the parish office or visit during office hours. Online registration and automatic deposit forms are available on the website. The parish encourages newcomers to register as members and to learn more about St. Joseph Catholic School for Preschool through Grade 8.
- St. Joseph Catholic Church — 10 N. Long St., Farmington, MO 63640
- Parish office: (573) 756-4250; fax (573) 756-6938
- Email: [email protected]
- School office: (573) 756-6312
- Website: stjosephfarmington.com
- Office hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Henry J. Shaw1890–1892
First resident pastor; first rectory built under his tenure.
- Father John M. Kern1892–
Succeeded Father Shaw.
- Father James Toomey1897–April 1906
Appointed Aug. 14, 1897. Opened a school in the sacristy in 1897; brought Dominican nuns in 1903; laid a firm foundation for parish growth.
- Father Bernard Stolte1906–1907
Secured two lay teachers from St. Louis for the school; transferred after about 15 months.
- Father Joseph A. CollinsOctober 1907–November 1914
Brought Ursuline Sisters to teach; oversaw construction of the present Romanesque church, dedicated Oct. 13, 1912.
- Father Jerome Buchheit
Built the present rectory in 1969.
- Father Robert L. Corbettbegan Feb. 14, (mid-20th c.)
Arrival noted in parish history.
- Father Robert Babka
Served as temporary administrator between pastorates.
- Rev. William Thess
Listed as Pastor in March 2025 parish bulletin.
- Rev. Gerson Parra MezaJuly 2025–present
Current Parochial Administrator; 27th pastor of St. Joseph.