About St. Joseph (Stringtown) · Olney, Illinois
St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stringtown is a small rural parish serving the eastern portion of Richland County, Illinois, roughly eight miles northeast of Olney. Erected on November 5, 1841, when Father M. Mullins celebrated the first Mass in the home of Casimier Kloepher, it is one of the oldest Catholic communities in southern Illinois and is registered as the second oldest church organization in Richland County. The parish is part of the Diocese of Belleville and today shares pastoral ministry with three neighboring parishes (St. Joseph Olney, Holy Cross Wendelin, and St. Lawrence Lawrenceville) under the leadership of Very Rev. Steven L. Beatty, V.G.
- Established
- 1841
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Very Rev. Steven L. Beatty, V.G.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville
Why belong here
St. Joseph Stringtown offers a quiet, close-knit rural Catholic community where multi-generational families still worship in a 1901 Gothic-style church on the same 14-acre grounds the parish bought in 1899. Active parish life centers on the Family Catechesis program (Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation), Holy Cross–based youth and young-adult groups, Brothers in Christ, Bibles & Brews, the St. Raphael Grief Care ministry, the annual July picnic dating to 1888, and the Quad-Parish partnership that shares priests and programming with Olney, Wendelin, and Lawrenceville.
Mass times at St. Joseph (Stringtown)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 7:30 a.m. (per diocesan directory)
- By appointment (per parish website)
Adoration times
- ASAP Prayer Service and Adoration: Tuesday 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph-Stringtown (per parish bulletin)
Parish History
St. Joseph Catholic Church at Stringtown was organized in 1841, with Father M. Mullins offering the first Mass on November 5, 1841 at Casimier Kloepher's residence. The original log church was finished February 15, 1842, and served the community for 59 years. In 1899 Bishop John Janssen of Belleville directed the construction of a new Gothic-style frame church on a brick foundation, dedicated in 1901 on land purchased for $360 from William and Catherine Blank. The east portion containing the present sanctuary was added in 1910.
- Founded November 5, 1841 — first Mass offered by Fr. M. Mullins
- First log church finished February 15, 1842; dedicated to St. Joseph on March 19, 1848
- 1899: Gothic-style frame church on brick foundation begun
- 1901: New church dedicated; one mile east of original site
- 1910: East wing with sanctuary and two sacristies added
- 1936: First parish hall completed
- 1939: Church wired for electricity
- 2010: New parish hall built by Kocher Bros. Construction, Inc.
- 1991: Interior redecorated for the Sesquicentennial
- 2016 (Nov. 5): 175th anniversary Mass with Bishop Edward K. Braxton
Our Priests and Pastoral Staff
The parish is currently pastored by Very Rev. Steven L. Beatty, V.G., who was appointed to the Quad-Parish grouping effective July 1, 2023. He is assisted by newly ordained Rev. Levi K. James as Parochial Vicar (since July 1, 2025). Caroline Trimble serves as Pastoral Associate, Ashley Hinterscher as Administrative Assistant, Tyler Timm as Youth Minister, and Donna Zwilling as CRE.
- Very Rev. Steven L. Beatty, V.G. — Pastor
- Rev. Levi K. James — Parochial Vicar
- Caroline Trimble — Pastoral Associate
- Ashley Hinterscher — Administrative Assistant
- Tyler Timm — Youth Minister
- Donna Zwilling — CRE
Parish Partnership (Quad-Parish Group)
Since 2019 St. Joseph Stringtown has shared clergy with St. Joseph Olney, Holy Cross Wendelin, and St. Lawrence Lawrenceville. Bishop Edward K. Braxton formed the original Tri-Parish Group on August 16, 2016 (adding St. Joseph Olney to the existing Stringtown/Wendelin pairing). St. Lawrence Lawrenceville was added on August 19, 2019. Father Mark Stec led the grouping from 2010–2023, succeeded by Fr. Steven Beatty with Fr. Felix Chukwuma in solidum team ministry.
- Tri-Parish formed August 16, 2016 (Olney + Stringtown + Wendelin)
- Quad-Parish expanded August 19, 2019 with St. Lawrence Lawrenceville
- Caroline Trimble appointed Pastoral Associate September 2017
- Fr. Felix Chukwuma joined in solidum team ministry July 20, 2021
- Fr. Mark Stec departed July 2023 for Mascoutah / St. Libory parishes
- Fr. Steven Beatty appointed Pastor of Quad-Parish effective July 1, 2023
Quad-Parish Liturgical Schedule
The four parishes coordinate their weekly Mass times so that parishioners can attend daily Mass at one of the partner churches. The current partnership schedule covers Saturday Vigil, Sunday, and four weekday Masses distributed across the four sites.
- Saturday Vigil 4:00 p.m. — Holy Cross, Wendelin
- Saturday Vigil 5:00 p.m. — St. Joseph, Olney
- Sunday 8:00 a.m. — St. Joseph, Stringtown
- Sunday 8:00 a.m. — St. Joseph, Olney
- Sunday 10:00 a.m. — Holy Cross, Wendelin
- Sunday 10:00 a.m. — St. Lawrence, Lawrenceville
- Monday 6:30 p.m. — St. Joseph, Stringtown
- Tuesday 6:30 p.m. — St. Lawrence, Lawrenceville
- Wednesday 8:00 a.m. — St. Joseph, Olney
- Thursday 6:30 p.m. — Holy Cross, Wendelin
Faith Formation and Family Catechesis
Faith formation is organized around the 'Following in the Footsteps of the Saints' Family Catechesis program, which gathers families regularly at the Holy Cross Parish Center for Saint presentations, parent meetings, and youth activities. Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation takes place within this family-based model across the Quad-Parish grouping.
- Family Catechesis monthly gatherings (Sept.–May) at Holy Cross Parish Center
- First Reconciliation (typically in early December)
- First Communion (typically celebrated in early May)
- Confirmation Commitment Weekend and Confirmation (celebrated at St. Joseph Olney)
- Candle Blessing for 3rd graders, Cup Blessing for 2nd graders, Red Plate Blessing for 1st graders
- St. Joseph Table tradition (March 19) with Mass and dinner at St. Joseph Stringtown
- All Saints Family Rosary and Trunk-or-Treat after Mass
Youth and Young Adult Ministry
The parish offers a tiered ministry for teens and young adults in cooperation with the Quad-Parish partner churches. Youth Minister Tyler Timm coordinates High School and Middle School Youth Groups, while the CYM (Catholic Youth Ministry) Mass and Young Adults gatherings extend ministry into older adolescence and post-high-school age.
- High School Youth Group (Holy Cross Wendelin)
- Middle School Youth Group (St. Joseph Olney)
- CYM Mass and Meeting (monthly at one of the partner parishes)
- Young Adults Bible Study (Holy Cross Wendelin)
- Young Adults Gathering (rotating locations)
- Bibles & Brews discussion group
Parish Committees and Outreach
Parishioners serve on five standing committees — Maintenance, Education, Finance, Liturgy, and Social and Service — and on the Parish Council (formed 1988). The Liturgy Committee coordinates visits to hospitals, assisted-living facilities, and nursing homes. Outreach includes Operation Christmas Child, Raise Right gift card fundraising, and the Gift of Love program.
- Parish Council (since 1988)
- Maintenance Committee
- Education Committee
- Finance Committee
- Liturgy Committee (incl. hospital, assisted living, nursing home visits)
- Social and Service Committee
- Operation Christmas Child
- Raise Right
- Gift of Love
- Knights of Columbus Council #1352 (Olney) — sponsors the parish missalettes
St. Raphael Grief Care Ministry
St. Raphael's Ministry of Care provides a Gospel-focused monthly gathering for those grieving the loss of a loved one. The group meets at St. Joseph Olney and offers a place for listening, encouragement, and shared memories under the spiritual and emotional support of the Pastoral Associate.
- Monthly gathering at St. Joseph Olney, 5:30 p.m.
- Facilitated by Pastoral Associate Caroline Trimble
Devotions and Holy Days Observed
Beyond Sunday and Monday Masses, the parish gathers for Eucharistic Adoration, the Divine Mercy devotion, and traditional liturgical feasts. The ASAP Prayer Service and Adoration is held at St. Joseph Stringtown on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Divine Mercy Sunday is observed in the afternoon at the parish with refreshments following in the Parish Center.
- ASAP Prayer Service and Adoration — Tuesday 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Stringtown
- Divine Mercy Sunday — afternoon observance at Stringtown with refreshments
- St. Joseph Table — March 19, Mass and dinner at the parish
- Advent 'Evensong' tradition at Holy Cross
- All Saints Family Rosary (fall)
- Evensong, Family Rosary, and Trunk-or-Treat
Parish Picnic and Community Life
The annual parish picnic — held the third Sunday of July — dates back to 1888, when it was first organized to help maintain parish expenses while providing community socialization. It remains a signature Stringtown tradition. Other parish social life centers on the Parish Center, parish grounds, and the Donuts-and-Coffee socials after Mass and special events.
- Annual picnic — third Sunday of July (since 1888)
- Picnic Head of Stands meeting and volunteer coordination
- Donuts and Coffee socials after Mass and at special events
- Soup Suppers during Advent/Lent
- Bake Sales accompanying CYM Mass and other events
Parish Facilities and Cemetery
The 14-acre parish grounds — purchased in 1899 for $360 — include the church, rectory, parish hall, school, cemetery, pump house, baseball field, and basketball and volleyball courts. A new parish hall was built in 2010 by Kocher Bros. Construction, Inc. to serve the parish's growing needs.
- Gothic-style church (1901) with 1910 east wing and sanctuary
- Rectory
- Parish hall (original 1936; new hall built 2010 by Kocher Bros. Construction, Inc.)
- School buildings (first built 1879; second 1907; third 1951)
- Pump house
- Parish cemetery (crucifixion group installed 1958; expanded 1966)
- Perpetual cemetery care trust fund established August 7, 1968
- Baseball, basketball, and volleyball courts
Cemetery and Burials
The parish cemetery sits on the 14-acre grounds purchased in 1899. In 1958 a crucifixion group replaced the earlier cross; in 1966 the cemetery was extended to the edge of the woods, and a perpetual trust fund for maintenance and care was organized on August 7, 1968. Father Charles G. Frankovich, who died June 9, 1959, is the only priest buried in the cemetery.
- Crucifixion group installed 1958
- Cemetery expanded 1966
- Perpetual care trust fund organized August 7, 1968
- Father Charles G. Frankovich (d. June 9, 1959) — only priest buried here
Vocations from St. Joseph Stringtown
According to a 2016 Illinois House Resolution (HR1288) congratulating the parish on its 175th anniversary, 27 young ladies and 2 young men from St. Joseph Parish have dedicated their lives to the service of God in religious ministry. The parish celebrated its first native-son priestly ordinations on June 4, 2005, when Fr. Robert Zwilling and Fr. Matthew Elie were ordained.
- 27 women religious vocations
- 2 men religious vocations (Fr. Robert Zwilling and Fr. Matthew Elie, ordained June 4, 2005)
Contact and Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Joseph Stringtown by phone (618-754-3676, Wednesday office hours), by mail at P.O. Box 10, Dundas, IL 62425, or by email at [email protected]. The parish office is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The pastor, Very Rev. Steven L. Beatty, V.G., can be reached at 618-697-2632 (direct), at the Olney office (618-392-8181 ext. 1), or at [email protected].
- Parish Office: 6342 N. Stringtown Road, Olney, IL 62450
- Mailing: P.O. Box 10, Dundas, IL 62425
- Phone: 618-754-3676 (Wed) / 618-752-5671 (Wendelin)
- Pastor direct: 618-697-2632
- Office hours: Tue/Wed/Fri 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Henry Keuth1901 –
First resident pastor of St. Joseph Stringtown, following 60 years of traveling priests from Vincennes IN, Ste. Marie, and Olney.
- (11 successor resident pastors)1901–1977
Eleven resident pastors served until the diocesan priest shortage.
- Fr. David Braun1997 –
After Belleville Diocese restructuring, asked to minister to both St. Joseph Stringtown and Holy Cross Wendelin.
- Fr. Mark Stec2010 – 2023
Appointed 2010; led Stringtown, Wendelin, and (later) Olney; 25th Jubilee of Ordained Ministry celebrated June 2, 2013; left in July 2023 to pastor Holy Childhood of Jesus (Mascoutah) and St. Libory.
- Rev. Felix Chukwuma2021 – 2025
Appointed July 20, 2021 to team ministry in solidum with Fr. Stec across the four-parish grouping; reassigned to St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Ridgway and St. Joseph, Elizabethtown, effective July 1, 2025.
- Very Rev. Steven L. Beatty, V.G.2023 – present
Appointed to team ministry in solidum with Fr. Felix Chukwuma effective July 1, 2023; current pastor.
- Rev. Levi K. James2025 – present
Newly ordained; appointed Associate Pastor of the Quad-Parish grouping effective July 1, 2025.