About St. Justin Martyr · Sunset Hills, Missouri
St. Justin Martyr is a Roman Catholic parish in Sunset Hills, Missouri, a south-St. Louis suburb, belonging to the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Founded in 1964 and named after the second-century martyr St. Justin, the parish grew from 400 families on a former ten-acre farm into a thriving community with its own Pre-K through 8 Catholic school, faith-formation programs, and a wide range of ministries. Today it is led by Father Brian Hecktor and serves parishioners at 11910 Eddie and Park Road, where the church, school, and parish offices share a single modern campus.
- Established
- 1964
- Patron
- St. Justin Martyr (2nd-century martyr)
- Rector
- Rev. Brian Hecktor
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
St. Justin Martyr offers a full, multigenerational Catholic life on one Sunset Hills campus: weekend and daily Mass, Saturday Reconciliation, First-Friday Eucharistic Adoration, and the Tuesday Perpetual Help devotion, all alongside an accredited Pre-K through 8 school, Justin Time Preschool, the Parish School of Religion, sacramental prep, RCIA, and active Liturgy, youth, service, and outreach ministries. The parish describes itself as 'a vibrant and active community with many ministries' and welcomes every parishioner into the simple mission of loving God, loving others, and making disciples.
Mass times at St. Justin Martyr
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 – 4:45 pm
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- First Fridays following the 8:00 am Mass until 7:00 pm (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
History of the Parish
St. Justin Martyr was established in 1964 on a ten-acre farm site in Sunset Hills, with Father Thomas Albrecht as founding pastor. The school opened in 1966 under the Franciscan Sisters of Clinton, Iowa, and the parish grew rapidly through the 1970s and 1980s, adding lay ministries, Pro-Life work, an Athletic Association, RCIA, and the Home and School Organization. The parish 'burned' its mortgage in the early 1980s, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1989, and continues today as a vibrant community guided by the mission 'Love God. Love Others. Make Disciples.'
- 1964 — Parish founded; First Mass on the Feast of Christ the King; 400 families.
- 1965 — Church construction begins; Franciscan Sisters of Clinton, Iowa, agree to staff the school.
- 1966 — School opens with 227 students in Grades 1–5 under Sister Callista Brisley; church dedicated; PSR founded; CYC established.
- 1967 — First Confirmation and 63 First Communicants.
- 1969 — School has eight grades and 360 students; PSR serves 270 students in 12 grades.
- 1970 — First eighth-grade class graduates; Parish Council established.
- 1978 — First Kindergarten class.
- Early 1980s — Mortgage burned; Renew program; parish reaches 740 families; Athletic Association founded.
- 1985–1989 — RCIA initiated; mission statement developed; DeSales Program; Home and School established; 25th anniversary celebrated.
- 1996–1998 — School air-conditioned; computer lab networked.
- 1999–2000 — Convent converted into a rectory; new principal Mrs. Judy Talleur appointed.
Clergy, Staff & Parish Leadership
The parish is currently served by Father Brian Hecktor as pastor and Deacon Mark Jaeger as permanent deacon. Marge Kathalynas serves as Director of Faith Formation and Missionary Discipleship, Kailey Maier as School Principal, and Marie L. Tate as Business Manager.
- Rev. Brian Hecktor — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Mark Jaeger — Permanent Deacon ([email protected])
- Marge Kathalynas — Director of Faith Formation and Missionary Discipleship ([email protected])
- Kailey Maier — School Principal ([email protected])
- Marie L. Tate — Business Manager
- Beth Golden — School Board contact
Mass & Sacramental Schedule
St. Justin Martyr offers a robust daily and weekly Mass schedule, with three Sunday Masses (7:30, 9:00, and 11:00 am) plus a 5:00 pm Saturday Vigil. Weekday Masses are celebrated Monday through Friday at 6:30 am, with additional 8:00 am Masses on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Reconciliation is heard Saturdays from 4:00 to 4:45 pm (and by appointment), and Eucharistic Adoration is exposed on First Fridays after the 8:00 am Mass until 7:00 pm.
- Saturday Vigil — 5:00 pm
- Sunday — 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am
- Monday–Friday — 6:30 am
- Wednesday, Friday & Saturday — 8:00 am
- Holy Days — 6:30 am, 8:00 am, and 7:00 pm
- Reconciliation — Saturday 4:00–4:45 pm (and by appointment)
- Eucharistic Adoration — First Fridays after 8:00 am Mass until 7:00 pm
Devotions
The parish keeps the Perpetual Help devotion every Tuesday after the 6:30 am Mass, gathering at the Perpetual Help Shrine on the back wall of the church. Eucharistic Adoration is exposed each First Friday from after the 8:00 am Mass until 7:00 pm, with parishioners signing up for committed hours and substitutes always needed.
- Perpetual Help Devotion — Tuesdays after 6:30 am Mass at the Perpetual Help Shrine
- First Friday Eucharistic Adoration — after 8:00 am Mass until 7:00 pm
- Seasonal banners and decorations for Christmas and Holy Week through the Art & Environment ministry
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Parish School of Religion (PSR) provides formal Catholic faith formation for children in Grades 1–8 on Sunday mornings, 9:30 am until 10:45 am during the school year, supplementing the religious formation that begins in the family. Second-grade students are prepared for First Reconciliation and First Communion, while eighth graders prepare for Confirmation. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Atrium) is offered as an additional formation program.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) — Grades 1–8, Sundays 9:30–10:45 am
- First Reconciliation & First Communion preparation — Grade 2
- Confirmation preparation — Grade 8
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Atrium)
- RCIA — meets weekly mid-September through Easter for unbaptized adults and those entering full communion
- Director: Marge Kathalynas ([email protected], 314-843-6447 ext. 2499)
St. Justin Martyr Catholic School
St. Justin Martyr Catholic School is a fully accredited Pre-K through Grade 8 day school offering core academics along with music, art, physical education, and Spanish for every student. Twice-weekly school Masses, ongoing prayer, service opportunities, and faith integration across the curriculum form the school's strong spiritual base, while SMART Boards, laptops, iPads, and a fully integrated technology program equip students as 21st-century learners. The school also hosts Justin Time Pre-School for ages 3 to 5.
- Pre-K through Grade 8, fully accredited
- Subjects include music, art, physical education, and Spanish for all students
- Learning Consultant and teacher aides support differentiated instruction
- Twice-weekly Masses and integration of faith across subjects
- Justin Time Pre-School — ages 3 to 5; half-day, full-day, and extended-day options
- Principal: Kailey Maier (314-843-6447 ext. 2501, [email protected])
- Preschool Director: Teresa McIntyre (314-843-6447 ext. 2480, [email protected])
- School Board — 12 elected members, meets first Monday of each month at 7:00 pm during the school year
Liturgical Ministries
The Liturgy Committee, working alongside the parish priests, plans seasonal, ordinary-time, and special liturgies. Liturgical ministries welcome adult and youth volunteers across the spectrum of parish worship.
- Liturgy Committee — chaired with Deacon Mark Jaeger
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — must be 18+; some bring Eucharist to the sick and homebound
- Lectors
- Servers (altar servers)
- Ushers/Greeters
- Choirs / Musicians / Cantors
- Art & Environment — seasonal banners, altar flowers, plants, wreaths
- Mass Coordinators
Parish Life, Service & Outreach
St. Justin describes itself as 'a vibrant and active community with many ministries,' organized under Liturgy, Sacramental Preparation, Retreats and Devotions, Adult Formation, Youth Formation, Evangelism and Outreach, Service, Associations and Activities, and Administration and Operations. Long-standing outreach efforts include Pro-Life activities, blood drives, Thanksgiving and food collections, the Leisure Club, the Athletic Association, and the Home and School Organization.
- Evangelism and Outreach
- Service ministries — Pro-Life, blood drives, Thanksgiving and food collections
- Youth Formation programs
- Adult Formation — including FAITH Alive in the Home
- Home and School Organization
- Athletic Association (parish-children sports)
- Leisure Club
- Building and Grounds
- School Board, Finance Council, and Parish Council
Contact & Visit
The parish office is open at 11910 Eddie and Park Rd., Sunset Hills, MO 63126 (phone 314-843-8482, fax 314-843-8507). The Catholic school and preschool are at 11914 Eddie and Park Rd. (314-843-6447). Individual clergy and staff can be reached by email at [email protected].
- Parish Office — 11910 Eddie and Park Rd., Sunset Hills, MO 63126 — 314-843-8482 (fax 314-843-8507)
- St. Justin Martyr School — 11914 Eddie and Park Rd. — 314-843-6447 (fax 314-843-9257)
- Faith Formation Office — ext. 2499
- Parish Boundary Map & Description — published by the Archdiocese of St. Louis
- General email listed by third parties: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Thomas Albrecht1964 (founding pastor)
Celebrated the First Mass on the Feast of Christ the King when the parish was founded with 400 families.
- Father Ira Bellserved in early 1980s
Replaced by Father John Caffe during the 1980–1984 period.
- Father John Caffeearly 1980s
Replaced Father Ira Bell as pastor; led during mortgage-burning and the Renew program.
- Father Glenn Dohertyarrived 1985–1989 era
Arrived as the RCIA program was initiated; shepherded 25th anniversary of the parish.
- Father Bernie Schloemer
Pastor; arrived with Father Leo Lewis as senior associate.
- Father Leo Lewis
Senior associate pastor under Father Bernie Schloemer.
- Rev. Brian Hecktorcurrent
Current pastor, leading the parish under the mission 'Love God. Love Others. Make Disciples.'