About St. Joseph Parish · Clayton, Missouri
St. Joseph Parish is a Catholic parish in Clayton, Missouri, part of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, whose roots trace back to 1842 through its predecessor parish, St. Martin in Centerton. The parish is currently led by Reverend Christopher Schroeder as Parochial Administrator (with Father Philip J. Bené, J.C.D., LL.M., having served as Pastor from June 2019 until his reassignment) and Reverend Michael Donald as a retired priest in residence. The parish is widely noted for its two-daily-Mass rhythm — a 7:15 a.m. and a 12:00 noon Mass each weekday — introduced by a former pastor and still drawing an average of more than 50 worshipers daily. Located at 106 N. Meramec Avenue in downtown Clayton, the parish serves a diverse, long-established community that grew from French and Irish farming families into the heart of an affluent St. Louis County suburb.
- Established
- 1885
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Reverend Christopher Schroeder (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
St. Joseph Parish offers something rare among U.S. parishes: a robust two-Mass-a-day weekday rhythm — a 7:15 a.m. and a 12:00 noon Mass — that draws an average of more than 50 worshipers each weekday and lets working Catholics in downtown Clayton weave daily Mass into their schedule. It pairs that devotional depth with a deep well of parish life — a Parish School of Religion for children in Pre-K through 8th grade, RCIA for adults, an active Knights of Columbus council, a St. Vincent de Paul conference serving four local zip codes, an Altar Society, Pro-Life committee, bereavement ministry, homebound outreach, prayer group, and Bible studies — all rooted in a parish community that has worshipped on the corner of Maryland Avenue and Meramec since 1885 and whose mission statement deliberately calls it 'a diverse parish with an established and rich heritage of faith.'
Mass times at St. Joseph Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:45 pm
- Monday 11:15 am
- Tuesday 11:15 am
- Wednesday 11:15 am
- Thursday 11:15 am
- Friday 11:15 am
Adoration times
- Monday 8:30 am
- Tuesday 8:30 am
- Wednesday 8:30 am
- Thursday 8:30 am
- Friday 8:30 am
Mission and Identity
St. Joseph Parish describes itself in its 1992 Parish Council mission statement as 'a diverse parish with an established (since 1842) and rich heritage of faith.' Guided by St. Joseph as patron, the parish commits 'to help one another imitate the life and teachings of Jesus by loving, serving, healing, reconciling and educating all age levels,' welcoming new members as part of its family and contributing to the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the nation, and the Universal Church. The Archdiocese of St. Louis likewise describes the parish as a community 'endeavoring to live out the Joy of the Gospel, and to bring others others closer to Our Lord, Jesus Christ, through our commitment to being missionary disciples who know and live the Faith.'
Parish History
St. Joseph traces its lineage to 1826, when Bishop Joseph Rosati, C.M. took title to land in Centerton where a log church and school were built for the predominantly French and Irish farming community of St. Martin Parish. In 1885, under Father James B. Jackson, the parish was relocated to Clayton and renamed St. Joseph; the original 200-seat frame church (1885) was replaced by the current brick church in 1912, which was gutted by fire in 1925 and rebuilt. The full pastor succession from 1885 to the present is published on the parish website, beginning with Rev. James Jackson (1885–1899) and ending with Rev. Philip J. Bené (2019–), with the Archdiocese now listing Rev. Christopher Schroeder as Parochial Administrator and Rev. Michael Donald as retired.
Church Building
The current church is the brick structure erected in 1912 on the northeast corner of Maryland Avenue and Meramec — the site acquired in an 1885 land-swap with the Mount Olive Saengerbund. It was dedicated by Archbishop John J. Glennon on December 15, 1912. The 1925 fire destroyed the pipe organ, three altars, three stained glass windows and imported vestments; subsequent renovations have included a new organ and interior refresh under Msgr. Louis Meyer, and a new floor, furnishings, and parishioner-made needlework under Msgr. John Shamleffer. Repairs to the vestibules and sacristies continued under Father Philip J. Bené.
Clergy
The parish is currently led by Rev. Christopher Schroeder as Parochial Administrator, with Rev. Michael Donald serving as a retired priest in residence. Rev. Philip J. Bené, J.C.D., LL.M., was appointed Pastor in June 2019 (also serving as Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese) and made improvements to the parish hall and church vestibules and sacristies. Deacon John Stoverink assists with faith formation, including RCIA inquiries.
Pastor Succession
The parish publishes a complete roster of its pastors from 1885 onward. Thirteen priests have served as pastor or administrator in the parish's 140-year history, including several Monsignors (Meyer, Wilkerson, Delaney, Gardin, Shamleffer) and several who also held the role of Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese (Kastenholz, Shamleffer, Bené).
- Rev. James Jackson (1885–1899)
- Rev. Michael Busch (1899–1908)
- Rev. Victor Stepka (1908–1946)
- Rev. William Glynn (1946–1955)
- Rev. Thomas Odlum (1955–1976)
- Rev. Francis A. Muellner (1976–1985)
- Rev. Msgr. Louis Meyer (1985–1994)
- Rev. Msgr. Jerome F. Wilkerson (1994–1999)
- Rev. Msgr. Dennis Delaney (1999–1999)
- Rev. Msgr. Vernon E. Gardin (1999–2002)
- Rev. Msgr. John B. Shamleffer, J.C.L. (2002–2013)
- Rev. Nicholas E. Kastenholz, J.C.L. (2013–2019)
- Rev. Philip J. Bené, J.C.D., LL.M. (2019–)
Parish School of Religion (PSR)
St. Joseph's Parish School of Religion provides religious education for children 4 years old through 8th grade who do not attend Catholic schools. Sacramental preparation is integrated into the program: First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are prepared in 2nd grade, and Confirmation is prepared during 8th grade (with at least one prior year of religious education required). Classes meet on Sunday mornings from 9:30 am to 10:45 am during the school year in the parish school building. Gary Lang serves as PSR Director; Karen Bencke is the parish secretary assisting with registrations. Tuition is $350 for one child or $425 for two or more, with a $50 non-refundable deposit due at registration and a $50 late fee after July 31.
- Pre-K (4 yrs) through 8th grade
- Sunday mornings 9:30–10:45 am in the school building
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist prepared in 2nd grade
- Confirmation prepared in 8th grade
- Contact: Gary Lang, PSR Director — [email protected] / 314-726-1221
Adult Faith Formation & RCIA
Adults interested in becoming Catholic are welcomed through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), with adult initiation typically taking place at the Easter Vigil Mass. Parishioners are invited to participate as catechists and sponsors. The parish's Adult Faith Formation Commission also offers Bible studies on a regular basis — e.g. Stephen Binz's Introduction to the Bible meets every other Tuesday evening. The Cornerstone Bible Study, which meets Wednesday mornings from September through March with childcare, is hosted at the parish.
- RCIA — Deacon John Stoverink (314-332-6175)
- Cornerstone Bible Study — Wednesday mornings, September–March
- Adult Faith Formation Bible studies (Tuesday evenings)
Parish Ministries and Organizations
St. Joseph supports a wide array of ministries and organizations through which parishioners serve the parish, the local community, and the wider Church. The Parish Finance Council and Parish Pastoral Council assist the pastor in governance; the Knights of Columbus Council 16273 and the St. Vincent de Paul Society lead men's service and outreach to those in need respectively. Liturgical and devotional ministries include Readers, the Altar Society, and the Pro-Life Committee. Pastoral-care ministries include Bereavement Care and Homebound Outreach. Education and formation ministries include the Parish School of Religion, RCIA, the Adult Faith Formation Commission, and the Cornerstone Bible Study. Annual Catholic Appeal support and 'Time and Talent' volunteer recruitment knit the parish together year-round.
- Parish Finance Council (quarterly meetings)
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Parish School of Religion (PSR)
- RCIA
- Knights of Columbus Council 16273
- St. Vincent de Paul Society Conference (serves 4 zip codes; food pantry, utility assistance, bus passes, food drives, Walk for the Poor, Thanksgiving Food Drive, March Madness Can Drive, Christmas Giving Tree, Nurses for Newborns Assistance, Truck Donation Day)
- Altar Society (Fridays 9:00 am in church)
- Pro-Life Committee (rosary after Wed. 7:15 am Mass; Mother's Day roses; Life Chain; Christmas cards supporting Birthright and Our Lady's Inn)
- Saint Joseph Parish Prayer Group (Wednesday afternoons, Centennial Room)
- Homebound Outreach — Holy Communion
- Bereavement Care
- Readers (Liturgy)
- Cornerstone Bible Study
- Adult Faith Formation Commission
- Social and Community Building Events
- Time and Talent volunteer program
- Annual Catholic Appeal
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. Joseph serves four zip codes around the parish. Its food pantry assists families in need, and the conference provides utility assistance, bus passes, and a listening ear for temporary needs. Year-round efforts include Food Drives, the Walk for the Poor, Thanksgiving Food Drive, March Madness Can Drive, Christmas Giving Tree, Nurses for Newborns Assistance, and a Truck Donation Day.
Knights of Columbus Council 16273
Council 16273 is the St. Joseph chapter of the Knights of Columbus, an international organization of Catholic men 18 and older. The council supports and sponsors its church and pastor through monetary and physical service, while enhancing members' own faith. On the second Thursday of each month, the council hosts a Men's Faith Formation talk at 6:30 am in the Centennial Room (adjacent to the Parish Hall in the lower level), followed by 7:15 am Mass.
Pro-Life Committee
The Pro-Life Committee promotes Jesus Christ's truth about right-to-life issues by educating, empowering, and motivating people to stand for life from conception to natural death. Activities include selling roses on Mother's Day, participating in the Greater St. Louis Life Chain, and selling Christmas cards whose proceeds directly support pro-life organizations such as Birthright and Our Lady's Inn. A rosary for pro-life intentions is prayed on Wednesdays after the 7:15 am Mass.
Sacraments
The parish prepares Catholics of all ages for the sacraments. Children prepare for First Penance and First Holy Communion during 2nd grade PSR, and for Confirmation during 8th grade (after at least one prior year of religious education). Adults enter the Church through RCIA, with initiation typically at the Easter Vigil. Couples seeking marriage are welcomed through a Marriage Preparation program. The Homebound Outreach ministry brings Holy Communion to parishioners who are sick or recovering.
- Baptism — contact parish office
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist (2nd grade)
- Confirmation (8th grade)
- RCIA (adults — Easter Vigil)
- Marriage Preparation
- Anointing of the Sick & Communion to the Homebound
Stewardship & Annual Catholic Appeal
Each spring the parish conducts the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) in support of Archdiocesan programs including Catholic Education, retirement benefits, social/charitable ministries, and ecclesiastical services, as well as direct funding to individual parishes. A parish chairperson organizes the general drive in April and May; pledge cards are distributed following weekend Masses and follow-up phone calls complete the drive.
Protecting God's Children
The parish participates in the Archdiocese of St. Louis's Protecting God's Children (PGC) child-safety program. PGC is a required video program for all volunteers, catechists, and substitutes who work with children, offered at various Archdiocesan locations.
Contact, Location & Communications
The parish office is located at 106 N. Meramec Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105, with a parish office phone of (314) 726-1221. The parish email is [email protected]. The parish's primary website is hosted on WordPress at stjosephclayton.wordpress.com (linked from the official stjosephclayton.org domain), and the bulletin archive is published online as PDF files.
- Address: 106 N. Meramec Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105
- Phone: (314) 726-1221
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stjosephclayton.wordpress.com (via stjosephclayton.org)
- PSR contact: [email protected]
- Website Manager: Cheryl Verde (314-359-5007)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James Jackson1885–1899
First pastor of St. Joseph Parish after moving the center of St. Martin Parish from Centerton to Clayton; built the original 200-seat frame church.
- Rev. Michael Busch1899–1908
- Rev. Victor Stepka1908–1946
Built the 1912 brick church dedicated by Archbishop Glennon; rebuilt the church after the devastating March 1, 1925 fire.
- Rev. William Glynn1946–1955
- Rev. Thomas Odlum1955–1976
Introduced the daily noon Mass that remains a strong component of parish life today.
- Rev. Francis A. Muellner1976–1985
Created disabled access and an enlarged sacristy.
- Rev. Msgr. Louis Meyer1985–1994
Renovated the church interior; purchased a new organ.
- Rev. Msgr. Jerome F. Wilkerson1994–1999
- Rev. Msgr. Dennis Delaney1999–1999
- Rev. Msgr. Vernon E. Gardin1999–2002
- Rev. Msgr. John B. Shamleffer, J.C.L.2002–2013
Made an Honorary Prelate by the Holy See in 2003 and a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in 2004; oversaw new floor, furnishings, and parishioner-made needlework.
- Rev. Nicholas E. Kastenholz, J.C.L.2013–2019
Appointed Parochial Administrator August 2013 and Pastor the following year; also served as Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese.
- Rev. Philip J. Bené, J.C.D., LL.M.2019–present (until reassignment)
Appointed Pastor June 2019; concurrently Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese; repaired and improved the Parish Hall and the church vestibules and sacristies.