About St. Jude Thaddeus · Mokane, Missouri
St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church is a small, historic parish serving the Catholic faithful of Mokane, Missouri, a tiny town on the Missouri River and Highway 94 about 25 miles east of Jefferson City. The parish belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City and has been the spiritual home of Catholic families in this stretch of river-and-farm country since it was formally founded by Father George W. Hoehn on April 1, 1909. Several of today's families can trace their membership back four, five, and even six generations. After a major renovation that closed the building from November 2022 through October 2023, the parish celebrated a joyful Rededication on October 22, 2023.
- Established
- 1909
- Patron
- St. Jude Thaddeus (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Rev. Alexander Gabriel (Parochial Administrator, since July 1, 2024; pastor of St. Peter Parish, Fulton, with pastoral care of St. Jude Thaddeus)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
St. Jude Thaddeus is a close-knit, multigenerational parish where several families can trace their roots back four, five, or even six generations — a rare continuity in rural America. Sunday Mass at 9:15 a.m. is the heart of parish life, supported by a Ladies Sodality, a Parish Council, a Finance Council, a Parish School of Religion (PSR), RCIA, Baptism and Marriage Preparation, Eucharistic Adoration, and a strong funeral-luncheon and rides-to-church outreach. The recently rededicated, lovingly renovated church (Rededication October 22, 2023) and the devotion of parishioners who dug the original basement in 1947 and built out the building in 1966–1969 make this a community that prays hard, dreams hard, and works hard together.
Mass times at St. Jude Thaddeus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Upon request
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration offered as a parish ministry (schedule available by contacting the parish office)
History of St. Jude Thaddeus
Mass was first celebrated in Mokane around 1900 by Father George W. Hoehn, who traveled by train once a month from St. Martin, Starkenburg to say Mass in a room of the Yoest Hotel. He formally organized the parish on April 1, 1909, bought a former Presbyterian church building for $1,250 in December 1910, and dedicated it on December 28, 1910. The parish was established as a mission of St. Peter Church, Fulton in 1910 and became an independent parish in 1969. Several current Mokane residents descend from Stephen and Lina Yoest, the hotel proprietors who gave Father Hoehn lodging.
- First Mass in Mokane: c. 1900 (Yoest Hotel)
- Parish organized: April 1, 1909 by Fr. George W. Hoehn
- Building purchased: December 1910 for $1,250
- Church dedicated: December 28, 1910
- Established as a mission of St. Peter, Fulton: 1910
- Basement dug by parishioners: 1947 ($432.71)
- Building expansion begun: 1966; completed 1969
- Present altar and pews acquired from Our Lady of the Lake: 1968
- Became an independent parish: 1969
- Oldest known photograph: taken by Fr. Noelker, c. 1920
Founding Pastor: Father George W. Hoehn
Father Hoehn served as the first pastor of St. Jude Thaddeus from 1909 to 1925 while also pastoring St. Martin Church in Starkenburg. In his memoirs he recalled the founding: 'On April 1, 1909, I had the pleasure of founding a new congregation, namely, Mokane… I bought a neat little church belonging to the Presbyterians… I had the good fortune to obtain a nice altar and placed on it St. Jude Thaddeus, the apostle to whom so little honor is paid, but who is such a helpful saint in times of great distress.' During his tenure Fathers Noelker, Joseph Gilfillan, Joseph S. Hirner (1912), and Arthur J. White (1920) also served the parish.
Our Parish Home: The 2022–2023 Renovation and Rededication
After more than a century of continuous use — with major building projects in 1947 and 1966–1969 — the parish undertook the most ambitious renovation in its history. 'The parishioners of St. Jude long dreamed of renovating our building so it can continue to house our parish family for generations to come.' The congregation vacated the church on November 1, 2022; demolition began February 20, 2023; renovations were completed in mid-October 2023; and the parish celebrated its Rededication on October 22, 2023. A large, hand-carved crucifix — designed with Daprato Rigali Studios — was blessed by Father Alexander Gabriel at the Easter Mass following the rededication, closing a 115-year circle of faith.
- Vacated church: November 1, 2022
- Demolition began: February 20, 2023
- Renovation completed: mid-October 2023
- Rededication Mass: October 22, 2023
- New hand-carved crucifix blessed at Easter 2024
- Crucifx partner: Daprato Rigali Studios, Inc.
Parish Staff and Leadership
St. Jude Thaddeus has no paid staff other than its priest; parish life is sustained entirely by lay volunteers serving in clearly defined roles. Rev. Alexander Gabriel serves as Pastor of St. Peter, Fulton, and Parochial Administrator of St. Jude Thaddeus. He is assisted by two deacons and a team of parish leaders covering finance, faith formation, the Ladies Sodality, the parish hall, the website, social media, and historian duties.
- Pastor / Parochial Administrator: Rev. Alexander Gabriel — (573) 642-5562
- Deacon: John Neudecker — (573) 826-9713
- Deacon: Burdett Wilson — (660) 346-7770
- Parish Treasurer: Nancy McCarthy — (573) 220-0890
- PSR Coordinator: Taryn Byrne — (573) 645-4608
- Parish Sacristan / Bulletins / Ladies Sodality President: Deb Bond — (573) 690-7673
- Parish Hall Coordinator: Carol Bax — (573) 619-5164
- Pastoral Council Chairperson: Derek Ewing — (573) 544-4333
- Historian / Documentarian & Website Administrator: Heather Murphy — (573) 230-2099
- Social Media Coordinator: Mackenzie Ewing — (636) 544-4695
- Maintenance and Grounds: currently vacant
Father Alexander Gabriel
Father Alexander Gabriel is a priest of the Diocese of Daltonganj, India, ordained in 1983. He was appointed Pastor of St. Peter Parish, Fulton, and Parochial Administrator of St. Jude Thaddeus, Mokane, effective July 1, 2024. He previously served Holy Family Parish in Hannibal and St. Joseph in Palmyra, and before that St. Andrew Parish in Tipton and Annunciation Parish in California. He continues as Diocesan Moderator of Spiritual Formation. He can be reached at the parish office at (573) 642-5562.
Parish Life and Ministries
The parish organizes its ministries around three 'pillars' — Formation, Service, and Worship — following a stewardship model. 'We are many parts of one body. Join our parish today!' Lay-run ministries include sacramental preparation, faith formation for children and adults, fellowship, and outreach.
- Baptism Preparation
- Confirmation Preparation
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Children's Religious Classes (CCD / PSR)
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
- Funeral Luncheon
- Marriage Preparation
- Ladies Sodality
- Parish Council
- Finance Council
- Stewardship Committee
- PSR – Parish School of Religion
- Faith Formation Groups / Small Groups
- Phone Tree / Text Tree
- Rides to Church
- Weekly Offertory Counters
- Grounds and Maintenance
- Facility and Maintenance Fundraisers
- Community Outreach
- Holiday Celebrations and Service Projects
- Building Committee
- Choir / Liturgical Resources
- Bulletin preparation
- Social Media ministry
- Parish Hall coordination
- Historian / Documentarian
- Free parish access to FORMED.org ('The Catholic Netflix')
Pillar of Formation
Anchored in Isaiah 46:17 — 'I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go' — the Pillar of Formation gathers the parish's ongoing education efforts, recognizing that 'as individuals grow in God, so too does the entire parish.'
- PSR – Parish School of Religion
- RCIA
- Stewardship Committee
- Faith Formation Groups / Small Groups
Pillar of Service
Modeled on John 13:14-15 — 'I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do' — the Pillar of Service gathers the parish's servant ministries to those who are 'hurting or in need, lost or alone, or suffering in any way.'
- Ladies Sodality
- Ladies Sodality Fundraiser
- Funeral Luncheons
- Grounds and Maintenance
- Facility and Maintenance Fundraisers
- Community Outreach
- Holiday Celebrations and Service Projects
- Building Committee
- Parish Council
- Phone Tree / Text Tree
- Rides to Church
- Weekly Offertory Counters
Liturgical Resources
Volunteers serve in liturgical roles at Mass and in the choir. The parish also provides free access to FORMED.org, described on the parish website as 'The Catholic Netflix' — a robust library of Catholic media for parishioners.
- Liturgical volunteer roles at Mass
- Parish choir
- FORMED.org free parish subscription
Sacraments
Sacramental preparation is offered for Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, and full initiation through RCIA. Contact information for each preparation track is published on the parish's Ministries page.
- Baptism Preparation (contact parish office)
- Confirmation Preparation (contact parish office)
- Marriage Preparation — Fr. Alexander Gabriel, (573) 642-5562
- RCIA — Deacon John Neudecker, (573) 826-9713
- Funeral Luncheon ministry
Parish Council and Finance Council
Two advisory bodies serve the parish: the Parish Council, chaired by Derek Ewing, offers 'vision, advice and expertise'; and the Finance Council, appointed by the pastor and meeting quarterly on the first Thursday of the month, 'works with the pastor to keep the parish… responsibly handle the parish finances.'
- Parish Council Chairperson: Derek Ewing — (573) 544-4333
- Finance Council Treasurer: Nancy McCarthy — [email protected]
- Finance Council Member: Amy Christensen — [email protected]
- Finance Council Member: Danny Jansen — [email protected]
Ladies Sodality
The Ladies Sodality is a long-standing parish organization of women who serve through fellowship, fundraising, and outreach, including funeral luncheons and Ladies Sodality Fundraisers. Deb Bond serves as Sodality President.
- Ladies Sodality President: Deb Bond — (573) 690-7673
Becoming a Parishioner
The parish invites new members and visitors to make the drive down Highway 94 to Mokane, attend Sunday Mass at 9:15 a.m., and stay after Mass for a quick tour of the renovated building. Interested individuals can contact any staff member listed on the About Us page or email [email protected].
- Contact any parish staff member listed on the About Us page
- Email: [email protected]
- Sunday Mass: 9:15 a.m. at 401 Adams Street, Mokane
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. George W. Hoehn1909–1925
Founder and first pastor; also pastor of St. Martin, Starkenburg. Organized the parish on April 1, 1909, purchased the former Presbyterian church building for $1,250 in December 1910, and dedicated it December 28, 1910.
- Rev. Joseph A. Abah, Ph.D.through June 30, 2024
Recent pastor; reassigned to ministry outside the Diocese of Jefferson City effective July 1, 2024 per diocesan decree of May 13, 2024.
- Rev. Alexander Gabrielfrom July 1, 2024
From Holy Family Parish, Hannibal, and St. Joseph, Palmyra; named Pastor of St. Peter, Fulton, and Parochial Administrator of St. Jude Thaddeus, Mokane.