About St. Joseph · Martinsburg, Missouri
St. Joseph Catholic Church and School is a small, family-oriented Catholic parish in Martinsburg, Missouri, serving Audrain County within the Diocese of Jefferson City. Originally founded by Irish Catholic laborers of the North Missouri Railroad and later strengthened by German homesteaders from Westphalia, the parish has been a spiritual home to generations of Catholics since 1860. The parish runs alongside its parish school (established in 1885) and an Early Learning Center, and is led today by Fr. Derek Hooper as pastor, with Fr. Simon J. Kanyike listed as a pastor on the diocesan directory. Visitors are welcomed to 'enjoy the communion of believers who believe that we are better together.'
- Established
- 1860
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Fr. Derek Hooper
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
St. Joseph in Martinsburg is a multigenerational Catholic parish where a parish school, Early Learning Center, and active parish life grow together in faith. Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday evening and Sunday morning, weekday Masses are offered three days a week, and the parish provides Baptism, Marriage preparation (six months in advance), and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) each year beginning in August and culminating at the Easter Vigil. With dedicated lay leadership through its Parish Council and Finance Council, a Catholic school founded in 1885, and a special heritage of fostering religious vocations, St. Joseph offers a warm, family-sized community for anyone seeking an authentic country Catholic parish in central Missouri.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Church History
St. Joseph Parish was founded in 1860 to serve Irish Catholic laborers who had come to central Missouri to work on the North Missouri Railroad (Martinsburg itself was founded along the line in 1857). German immigrants arriving in the 1870s, many from St. Joseph Parish in Westphalia, Missouri, transformed the small mission into a thriving parish — and inspired its name. Their commitment to Catholic education made the parish school the backbone of community life from its founding. The parish has fostered many priesthood and religious-life vocations, most notably Maryknoll Bishop Adolph Paschang, MM (1895–1968), missionary Bishop of Jiangmen, China. The parish history is preserved in 'Proclaiming the Good News in the Heart of Missouri' by Loretta Pastva, SND.
- Founded 1860 by Irish Catholic railroad laborers
- Strengthened by 1870s German immigration from Westphalia, Missouri
- Parish school established 1885; 125 years of Catholic education celebrated in 2010
- Heritage parish of Maryknoll Bishop Adolph Paschang, 'Little Bishop of Charity'
Pastor and Church Staff
St. Joseph is served by Pastor Fr. Derek Hooper and Deacon Ron Deimeke. Fr. Simon J. Kanyike is also listed as a pastor on the diocesan directory entry for the parish. Sherry Phillips serves as Secretary/Bookkeeper for the parish office, which is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. For inquiries about Baptism, weddings, or RCIA, parishioners are encouraged to call the parish office at 573-492-6595.
- Fr. Derek Hooper — Pastor (parish office: 573-492-6595; [email protected])
- Fr. Simon J. Kanyike — Pastor (per Diocese of Jefferson City directory)
- Deacon Ron Deimeke — ([email protected]; 573-492-6417)
- Sherry Phillips — Secretary/Bookkeeper ([email protected])
Church Administration
Lay leadership at St. Joseph is provided through two councils. The Parish Council meets regularly and includes the pastor and deacon among its members, while the Finance Council oversees the temporal affairs of the parish. Both publish meeting minutes to keep parishioners informed.
- Parish Council: President Delana Becker; Vice-President Bob Becker; Secretary Caroline Nation; Members Sherri Deimeke, Tina Schmeling, Sharon Welschmeyer; ex officio Fr. Derek Hooper and Deacon Ron Deimeke
- Finance Council: Kevin Ahrens, Vicki Duenke, Rhonda Kestler, Jill Rafferty, Aaron Cope, Jennifer Hunn
Sacraments
St. Joseph prepares parishioners for and celebrates the three Sacraments of Initiation and the Sacraments of Healing and Service. Baptisms are normally celebrated during Mass (or at another arranged time) following a meeting with Fr. Derek Hooper. Couples are asked to contact the parish office at least six months before a desired wedding date. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) begins each August, with sacramental initiation normally occurring at the Easter Vigil.
- Baptism — meet with Fr. Derek Hooper via the parish office
- Marriage — schedule at least six months in advance
- RCIA — begins each August; initiation at Easter Vigil
- Parish Office: 573-492-6595
St. Joseph Catholic School
St. Joseph Catholic School has been a cornerstone of parish life since opening in 1885; the 2010 jubilee marked 125 years of continuous Catholic education in Martinsburg. The school is a Pre-K through Grade 8 elementary school with an Extended Care program, and is led by Principal Michelle Hombs. A Catholic Early Learning Center supplements the school program. Parents and parishioners serve on the School Advisory Council and the Home & School Organization, which fosters community and fundraising for the school.
- Founded 1885; 125 years of Catholic education celebrated in 2010
- Grades served: Pre-K through Grade 8
- 2025–2026 school year: Aug 19, 2025 – May 14, 2026, Tuesday–Friday 7:30 AM–3:40 PM
- Principal: Michelle Hombs
- Secretary: Sheri Arens
- Faculty: Shirley Harby (Pre-K & K), Kaitlyn Thomas (Grades 1–2), Michelle Hombs (Grades 3–4), Tammy Angel (Grades 5–6), JoVeta Deimeke (Grades 7–8), Dr. Juanita Willingham (Resource Teacher), Beth Cochran (Primary Aide), Ruth Williams (Aide), Cheryl Robinson (Extended Care)
Early Learning Center
The parish operates a Catholic Early Learning Center serving Martinsburg and surrounding Audrain County families. Contact for the center is [email protected].
- Early Learning Center — [email protected]
- Located on the parish/school campus at 401 E Kellett St
Contact & Location
St. Joseph Catholic Church is located at 408 East Kellett Street in Martinsburg, Missouri 65264, in Audrain County. It sits four miles south of U.S. 54 and MO Route 19 on MO Route 19, at the intersection of MO Route 19, Cedar, and Kellett Streets. The parish office fax is 573-492-6105. The Catholic school and Early Learning Center share an adjacent campus at 401 E Kellett Street (school phone 573-492-6283).
- Parish Office: 408 E Kellett St, Martinsburg, MO 65264 — 573-492-6595 — [email protected]
- Parish Fax: 573-492-6105
- School: 401 E Kellett St, Martinsburg, MO 65264 — 573-492-6283 — [email protected]
- County: Audrain | Deanery: Central
About Martinsburg & the Parish Setting
Martinsburg, Missouri, was founded on the North Missouri Railroad built by Irish Catholic labor in 1857. The town and its parish grew as Irish and then German Catholic families put down roots in central Missouri's rich farmland. Today St. Joseph serves as the spiritual and educational hub for Catholics in the Martinsburg area and is associated with the parish communities of Laddonia and Vandalia.
- Town founded 1857 along the North Missouri Railroad
- Irish and German Catholic heritage
- Associated parishes: Laddonia and Vandalia