About St. Joseph · Palmyra, Missouri
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a small, family-oriented Roman Catholic parish located in Palmyra, Missouri, in the Diocese of Jefferson City. The parish serves the Marion County area alongside nearby Holy Family Parish in Hannibal, sharing a pastor, deacons, and several staff members. Worship is offered at weekend and weekday Masses, with First Friday Adoration, regular Reconciliation, a Parish School of Religion (PSR) for K–12 faith formation, youth ministry, OCIA (RCIA), and a busy calendar of parish life events including Vacation Bible School, a parish picnic, and an Altar Society turkey day fundraiser.
- Established
- 1863
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Gregory C. Meystrik
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a tight-knit parish where members know each other by name and ministries are accessible to every age — from Offertory Families and Lectors to the Pro-Life Ministry, Caring Souls outreach, Vacation Bible School, and the active Altar Society. Families benefit from a K–12 Parish School of Religion, a youth group for 5th–12th graders, and OCIA for adults exploring the Catholic faith. With daily and weekend Masses, First Friday Adoration, and a steady rhythm of parish events like the Flag Day Parade float, the parish picnic, and the turkey-day fundraiser, St. Joseph offers an easy way to grow in faith and serve the broader Palmyra community.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 5:00–5:15 p.m.
- Sunday 9:00–9:15 a.m.
- By appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday Adoration: 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
History of St. Joseph Parish
St. Joseph Catholic Church was organized in 1863 with roughly fifty members. Worship was held in private homes for the first two years before the congregation purchased its present building in 1864 for about $800. The first pastor, Rev. Anselm Mueller, rebuilt and fitted the structure for worship at a cost of about $3,000 and also founded the parish school. The full story — including the building of the brick parsonage, schoolhouse, and the 1883 Gothic-altar renovation — is documented in a parish history book whose chapters are linked on the parish website under About Us → History.
- Parish organized: 1863
- Original building purchased: 1864
- Parochial school established by Rev. Anselm Mueller
- Brick parsonage built: 1870
- Brick schoolhouse built opposite the church: 1879
- Church renovation with new Gothic-style altar: 1883
Parish Staff
St. Joseph is served by a pastor who also pastors nearby Holy Family in Hannibal, a senior priest in residence, two deacons, and a dedicated lay staff. Together they coordinate worship, faith formation, youth ministry, communications, and building care.
- Rev. Fr. Gregory C. Meystrik — Pastor (St. Joseph-Palmyra & Holy Family-Hannibal)
- Reverend Fr. Gerald Kaimann — Senior Priest in Residence
- Deacon Luke Mahsman — RCIA Coordinator; Baptism, Marriage Prep; Annulment Advocate
- Deacon Dwayne Goodwin, OFS
- Mrs. Kris Lowe — Secretary / Bookkeeper
- Mrs. Cathy Fohey — Adult Faith Formation
- Miss Audrey Summers — Youth Ministry
- Mrs. Denise Dodd — PSR Coordinator
- Mr. Dale Gervais — Buildings Maintenance (St. Joseph & Farischon Hall)
- Mrs. Beth Anderson — Parish Nurse (shared with Holy Family Hannibal)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Parish School of Religion (PSR) provides faith formation for children from Kindergarten through 12th grade, coordinated by Denise Dodd. Adults exploring the Catholic faith participate through OCIA — the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — and meet with the pastor, deacons, or parish secretary to begin.
- PSR — K through 12th grade (Kris Lowe)
- OCIA / RCIA — by appointment
- Vacation Bible School (annual)
Youth & Family Ministry
St. Joseph offers age-grouped youth ministry led by Audrey Summers, with separate tracks for middle-schoolers (grades 5–8) and high-schoolers (grades 9–12). The parish also runs Vacation Bible School and supports the Food for Thought program that sends middle-schoolers home with food packs for long weekends.
- Youth Ministry — Middle School (grades 5–8)
- Youth Ministry — High School (grades 9–12)
- Food for Thought (middle-school weekend food packs)
- Vacation Bible School
Liturgical Ministries
The Spirit & Worship Committee and Liturgy Committee organize Sunday Masses and seasonal devotions, training and scheduling the lay faithful who make the parish's liturgies possible.
- Offertory Families
- Altar Servers
- Ushers
- Lectors (training provided before assignment)
- Greeters (also assist the October Mass count)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is led in large part by the parish nurse and the Caring Souls ministry, with broad community-support programs that address both local and global need. The Pro-Life Ministry connects the parish with Options for Women and Missouri Pro-Life.
- Caring Souls (parish nurse visits; contact Beth Anderson at [email protected])
- Adopt a Child Program — Christmas
- Blessing Box — food donation
- Food Pantry — food donation
- Pro-Life Ministry (supports Options for Women and Missouri Pro-Life)
- Prayer Chain Notification
Parish Organizations & Councils
St. Joseph is governed and shaped by a network of councils and committees. The Pastoral Parish Council, led by president Steve Bunten, meets every third Tuesday of the month and helps the parish fulfill its four-fold mission.
- Pastoral Parish Council (meets 3rd Tuesday; president Steve Bunten)
- Finance Council (meets 4–6 times per year)
- Stewardship Committee
- Vocations Committee (Deacon Luke Mahsman & Cathy Fohey)
- Social Concerns Committee
- Spirit & Worship Committee
Sacraments
Sacramental preparation is coordinated through the parish office. Couples must contact the parish at least six months before a wedding; baptism registration requires a meeting with the pastor or deacon in advance.
- Baptism Preparation — call the parish office to register and schedule a meeting with the pastor or deacon
- Marriage Preparation — contact the pastor, deacons, or parish secretary at least 6 months in advance
- Confirmation Preparation
- Eucharistic Adoration — First Fridays
- Funeral Luncheon — parish hospitality ministry
Parish Events & Community Life
St. Joseph maintains a lively calendar of parish-wide events that bring members together beyond the sanctuary. Announcements appear in the bulletin and on the website's News & Events page, with monthly ministry schedules and the church calendar linked there as well.
- Parish Picnic
- Flag Day Parade Float
- Altar Society Turkey Day Fundraiser
- Breakfast for Mission
- Buildings & Grounds Meetings
- Lector Training sessions
Visit, Contact, and Office Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person at Farischon Hall across from the church. The office is open four days a week, and the parish maintains an active Facebook page for ongoing news.
- Address: 400 S Lane, Palmyra, MO 63461
- Mailing: PO Box 606, Palmyra, MO 63461
- Phone: (573) 769-3270
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–noon and 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
- Facebook: Facebook.com/StJosephCatholicChurchPalmyraMO/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Anselm Mueller1864–1869
First resident pastor; rebuilt and fitted up the church building, established the parochial school.
- Rev. Kussman1869–1872
Built the brick parsonage in 1870.
- Rev. Blume1873
Brief pastorate.
- Rev. Paulinus Weiss1873–1877
- Rev. Victor Aertke1877–1880
Built the brick schoolhouse opposite the church in 1879.
- Rev. Paul Teroerde1881
- Rev. James Nolteserving 1883
Pastor at the time of the 1883 church renovation and Gothic altar installation.