About St. Joseph · Pekin, Illinois
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a parish of approximately 1,100 families in Pekin, Illinois, serving the Catholic faithful of this central Illinois community along the Illinois River. A member parish of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, St. Joseph worships at 303 S. Seventh Street in a brick church that has stood there since 1904, and it operates St. Joseph Catholic School (PreK–8) on neighboring South Sixth Street. The parish offers daily and Sunday Mass, Saturday confession, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Lenten Stations of the Cross, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), a parish school, CCD/religious education, and outreach through a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry — all rooted in the parish's nearly 160-year presence on Pekin's south side.
- Established
- 1863
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Fr. Michael Andrejek
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a multi-generational Catholic community in central Illinois of about 1,100 families that takes seriously the call to 'make disciples' through every dimension of parish life — daily and Sunday Mass, Saturday confessions, Monday Eucharistic Adoration, Friday Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and Lenten Stations of the Cross with Benediction. Families can enroll children in the parish's PreK–8 elementary school (St. Joseph Catholic School) or in CCD religious education, adults can grow through Adult Bible studies and OCIA, and outreach happens through ministries such as the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. Worshipping on the same South Seventh Street corner since 1904, it is a parish where newcomers, longtime Catholics, and inquirers alike are welcomed into a stable, traditional, and active faith community in the heart of Pekin.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (in the church)
- Also by appointment — call the Parish Office at (309) 347-6108
Adoration times
- Monday 9:00 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. (parish website)
- Monday 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. (per the Diocese of Peoria parish listing)
About St. Joseph Catholic Church
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a vibrant faith community of about 1,100 families in Pekin, Illinois, in the heart of central Illinois. A parish of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, it 'strives to live the Catholic Faith' by walking the disciples' path through Liturgical celebrations (Mass, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration), Religious Education programs (Elementary School, CCD, Adult Bible Studies), and other formation opportunities — following the call of Jesus, 'to make disciples' of all peoples.
- Member parish of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria
- About 1,100 registered families
- Worship site at 303 S. Seventh Street since 1904
- Operates St. Joseph Catholic School (PreK–8)
Parish History
St. Joseph traces its origin to November 9, 1863, when Pekin's English-speaking (chiefly Irish) Catholics — separating from the German Catholics who would organize Sacred Heart Parish in 1872 — dedicated a modest new mission church on the southeast corner of Second and Susannah Streets. From its founding through 1867 the parish was served by priests from Peoria; Father John A. Kennedy then became the first resident pastor. The early history is documented in local Pekin city directories, with Father Thomas Cashman listed as pastor by 1871 and Father D. J. Sullivan taking charge in 1900 to launch a building program. The cornerstone of a new brick church at Broadway and South Seventh Street was laid in 1903, and on October 17, 1904 — the year of Pekin's centennial — the present church was dedicated at a cost of $15,000.
- 1863 — St. Joseph's Church dedicated at Second and Susannah (cost ~$800)
- 1867 — Father John A. Kennedy appointed first resident pastor
- 1871 — Father Thomas Cashman listed as pastor in Pekin city directory
- 1900 — Father D. J. Sullivan takes charge; building program begins
- 1903 — Cornerstone of present brick church laid at Broadway & S. Seventh
- 1904 — Current church dedicated October 17, cost $15,000
- 1937/1938 — Sacred Heart Parish merged into St. Joseph under Bishop Schlarman
- 1938/1939 — Father Bernard J. Sheedy becomes pastor of all Pekin Catholics
Clergy & Parish Staff
The pastoral team is led by Fr. Michael Andrejek, pastor, and is assisted by four permanent deacons: Rev. Mr. Timothy Blanchard, Rev. Mr. Mark Scamp, Rev. Mr. Ernie Whited, and Rev. Mr. Mark Wilder. The parish staff includes Ann Hart (Business Manager), Tina Sondag (Secretary), Cristen Mini (Director of Religious Education), and Kathy Radovich (Principal of St. Joseph Catholic School).
- Pastor: Fr. Michael Andrejek
- Deacons: Rev. Mr. Timothy Blanchard; Rev. Mr. Mark Scamp; Rev. Mr. Ernie Whited; Rev. Mr. Mark Wilder
- Business Manager: Ann Hart
- Secretary: Tina Sondag
- Director of Religious Education: Cristen Mini
- School Principal: Kathy Radovich
Sacraments
The parish prepares children for the Sacraments of Christian Initiation and offers the usual Sacramental preparation for marriage and other rites. First Eucharist is celebrated in 2nd Grade after a preparation that includes reception of Reconciliation; Confirmation is received in the Spring of 8th Grade following a two-year Junior High preparation program, and each candidate must meet personally with the Pastor. Reconciliation is offered weekly (see above). Marriages, Baptisms, and Anointing of the Sick are scheduled through the Parish Center (309-347-6108), with marriage preparation including a meeting with the Pastor.
- Eucharist (First Communion) — 2nd Grade, with preparation including Reconciliation
- Confirmation — Spring of 8th Grade, after 2-year Junior High program
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:30–4:30 p.m. or by appointment
- Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick — by appointment through the Parish Center
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, the current name for the RCIA process) is the parish's formal path for non-Catholic adults — whether unbaptized or baptized in another Christian denomination — to become members of the Roman Catholic Church. It is also the avenue by which Catholic adults who have not yet received all the Sacraments of Initiation may complete them. The process combines doctrinal, practical, liturgical, and apostolic formation, drawing on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sacred Scripture, the Church's liturgy, and the seven sacraments. It moves through four periods — Pre-Catechumenate, Catechumenate, Enlightenment, and Mystagogia — marked by three rites and culminating in the Easter Vigil, when participants are baptized, confirmed, and receive First Eucharist. Classes typically meet Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Parish Center, beginning each Fall and running through Easter. Anyone in the parish can participate by bringing a friend to explore, becoming a sponsor, praying for candidates, or going through OCIA themselves.
- Four periods: Pre-Catechumenate, Catechumenate, Enlightenment, Mystagogia
- Three rites, culminating in the Easter Vigil (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist)
- Wednesday evenings 6:30–8:30 p.m. at the Parish Center
- Runs Fall through Easter season
- Contact: Parish Center (309) 347-6108
Religious Education & Adult Formation
In addition to OCIA, the parish runs the Religious Education (CCD) program for children in public schools and offers Adult Bible Studies, allowing parishioners of every age and background to deepen their understanding of the Catholic Faith.
- CCD / Religious Education for public-school students
- Adult Bible Studies
- OCIA for adults
St. Joseph Catholic School (PreK–8)
St. Joseph Catholic School is a faith community whose mission is to educate the whole child in Gospel values and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Catholic and non-Catholic families are welcome. The school provides a full array of academic resources, extracurricular programs, and extended care, with a Christ-centered, student-focused culture. It maintains Full Recognition from the State of Illinois under the guidelines for Recognition of Non-Public Elementary Schools (granted December 1, 2008), and underwent an external peer review in June 2010. A modified block schedule supports middle-school students (Grades 6–8), while the curriculum builds on Illinois Early Learning Standards and the State Common Core Standards.
- Address: 300 South 6th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 (between St. Joseph Place and East Broadway Road)
- Phone: (309) 347-7194
- Website: stjosephschoolpekin.com
- Principal: Kathy Radovich
- Motto: 'Learn Our Faith. Live Our Faith. Prepare for the Future.'
- Core Values: Students, staff and family — Joining together — Serving Jesus and one another
- State Recognition: Full Recognition granted December 1, 2008
- Peer Review: June 2010
School Faith Life & Curriculum Highlights
Faith formation is woven through every school day. Each week a different class leads the school in Mass, Confession is offered during the school day every Wednesday for Grades 3–8, Adoration devotions are held, the priest visits classrooms, and students in Grades 5–8 are invited to become altar servers. Middle-school students (Grades 7–8) participate in a Service Program, including work at a local soup kitchen, and remain active in the Parish Youth Group. Academically, the school uses the I-Ready math program for Grades K–8 (concrete-to-visual-to-abstract framework with model drawings and an emphasis on problem solving), offers a Pre-Algebra/Algebra track at the middle-school level, and runs a Pre-K program for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds (with a 3-year-old program meeting two days a week and a 4/5-year-old program that may be available for a half day, depending on enrollment).
- Weekly class-led Mass
- Confession during school day on Wednesdays for Grades 3–8
- Adoration devotions
- Service Program for Grades 7–8 (e.g., local soup kitchen)
- Altar server opportunities for Grades 5–8
- I-Ready math program for K–8; Pre-Algebra/Algebra in middle school
- Pre-K program for ages 3, 4, and 5
Parish Outreach — St. Vincent de Paul
The parish supports the local St. Vincent de Paul Society food pantry, which serves neighbors in need from the parish campus. (A 2019 Pekin Times report on the proposed new parish center noted that the planned building would house the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry along with offices, gathering and meeting rooms, youth-group space, a kitchen, and a small chapel for daily Mass and small funerals.)
- St. Vincent de Paul food pantry (parish-based outreach)
Parish Center & Facilities
The parish offices, called the Parish Center, are located on the parish campus and house the pastor, deacon support, business manager, secretary, and Director of Religious Education. In 2019 the parish was publicly discussing a long-discussed plan to replace the existing parish center — originally built as a convent for the nuns who taught at St. Joseph's School and used as offices and gathering space for about 40 years — with a new, more energy-efficient building that would include offices, gathering and meeting rooms, youth group space, a kitchen, the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, and a small chapel for daily Mass and small funerals.
- Parish Center — offices for clergy, staff, and religious education
- Long-standing plan for a new, more efficient parish center with chapel and pantry
- St. Joseph School located one block south at 300 S. Sixth Street
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish by phone at (309) 347-6108 or by email at [email protected]. The mailing address is 303 S Seventh Street, Pekin, IL 61554, and the parish website is https://stjosephpekin.org. Inquiries about OCIA, registering with the parish, Sacramental preparation, school enrollment, or scheduling a meeting with the Pastor should be directed to the Parish Center.
- Address: 303 S Seventh Street, Pekin, IL 61554
- Phone: (309) 347-6108
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stjosephpekin.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John A. Kennedy1867–
First resident pastor of St. Joseph's, appointed after the parish had been served from Peoria since its 1863 founding.
- Father Thomas Cashmanby 1871
Listed as pastor of the Roman Catholic Church at Second and Susannah in the 1871 Sellers & Bates City Directory of Pekin.
- Father D. J. Sullivan1900–
Took charge in 1900; launched the building program that produced the present brick church, cornerstone laid 1903 and dedicated October 17, 1904.
- Father Bernard J. Sheedy1938–
Became pastor of all of Pekin's Catholics after Bishop Schlarman merged Sacred Heart Parish into St. Joseph in 1937/1938.
- Fr. Michael Andrejekpresent
Current pastor per the parish About page.