About St. Louis · Nokomis, Illinois
St. Louis Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Nokomis, Illinois, serving about 627 parishioners across 392 families in this small Montgomery County community. The parish is in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and shares its campus with St. Louis Catholic School, a parish elementary school that has educated local children for more than a century. Daily and weekend Masses are celebrated in the church at 311 South Elm Street, with a Saturday vigil and Sunday morning Mass, weekday Masses, Saturday confessions, and a weekly holy hour of Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays.
- Established
- 1870
- Patron
- St. Louis (King Louis IX of France)
- Rector
- Rev. Michael Meinhart
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Why belong here
St. Louis Parish is the spiritual heart of a tight-knit rural Catholic community in Nokomis, with a historic 1900-vintage church and a parish school that has formed local children for over a century. Daily Mass, Saturday and Sunday Masses, a weekly Thursday holy hour of Adoration, and regular confessions make the sacraments easy to access. With a pastor, parish secretary, bookkeeper, director of music, and youth minister on staff — plus an active parish school — there are real opportunities to get involved in faith formation, music, youth ministry, and the parish fish fry.
Mass times at St. Louis
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00-3:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 8:00-8:30 a.m.
- Or by appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (in the side chapel)
History of St. Louis Parish
Catholic life in Nokomis began in 1859 when Father Colton of Litchfield began visiting the small railroad town. After years of Masses in private homes and at Blue's Hall, the parish was officially incorporated on July 4, 1870 as 'St. Louis' Roman Catholic Church of Nokomis. The first frame church was built in 1871, and the present church was completed in 1900. The parish also operates St. Louis Catholic School, which opened in 1917.
- 1859: Father Colton of Litchfield first visits Nokomis; Mass offered in private homes, especially at Thomas Tuohy's boarding house near Spruce Street.
- 1867: Father Thomas Cusack begins regular monthly visits; Mass celebrated at Blue's Hall, State and Spruce Streets.
- July 4, 1870: Congregation formally incorporated as St. Louis Roman Catholic Church of Nokomis.
- 1871: First frame church built (34 x 54 feet, 20-foot ceiling), costing $2,300.
- 1884: Father John Storp becomes the first resident pastor; rectory purchased and enlarged.
- 1899-1900: Cornerstone of present church laid July 4, 1899; church ready for worship in spring 1900.
- 1907: Tornado destroys original 130-foot steeple (Aug. 6); replaced, and current rectory completed in 1908.
- 1917: St. Louis Parochial School opens, taught by School Sisters of Notre Dame.
Parish Leadership & Staff
The parish is led by Father Michael Meinhart and supported by a small but dedicated staff. The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois lists Cindy Hancock as parish secretary, Sonya Maretti as bookkeeper, Missy Huber as youth minister, and Debbie Miller as director of music. Jacob Esker also serves as parish secretary and Coordinator of Faith Formation.
- Rev. Michael Meinhart — Pastor
- Cindy Hancock — Parish Secretary
- Sonya Maretti — Bookkeeper
- Missy Huber — Youth Minister
- Debbie Miller — Director of Music
- Jacob Esker — Parish Secretary and Coordinator of Faith Formation
St. Louis Catholic School
The parish school opened in 1917 under the School Sisters of Notre Dame and continues today as a PreK-Grade 8 parish elementary school on the same campus as the church. It remains a center of Catholic education for families across the Nokomis area and is led by Principal Anthony Bodnar with Father Michael Meinhart serving as pastor.
- Preschool through Grade 8
- Principal: Anthony Bodnar
- Pastor: Fr. Michael Meinhart
- School Secretary: Rosalind O'Malley
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Jacob Esker
- Office phone: (217) 563-7445
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
In addition to the parish school, the parish runs a Faith Formation program (Parish School of Religion) coordinated by Jacob Esker and a youth ministry led by Missy Huber.
- Faith Formation / Parish School of Religion — Jacob Esker
- Youth Ministry — Missy Huber
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at St. Louis is led by Debbie Miller, Director of Music, who coordinates the parish choirs and cantors for weekend and weekday Masses.
- Director of Music: Debbie Miller
Parish Life & Outreach
St. Louis is an active small-town parish, with regular bulletins, online giving through Pushpay, and signature community events such as the Parish Fish Fry (sign-ups available on the parish website).
- Online Giving via Pushpay
- Parish Fish Fry (community fundraiser)
- Weekly parish bulletins posted on slsk8.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Colton1859-1867
Of Litchfield; began visiting Nokomis to care for the few Catholic families; Masses held in private homes.
- Father Thomas Cusack1867-
First to attend Nokomis regularly once a month; celebrated Mass at Blue's Hall.
- Father Edward Welch
Succeeded Father Cusack.
- Father Julian Turmell
Succeeded Father Welch; under him the congregation was incorporated as St. Louis on July 4, 1870.
- Father Frederic Lohman1873-1876
Of Hillsboro; attending priest.
- Father Peter J. Virnich1876-1881
Expanded the church and acquired three acres for a cemetery.
- Father John Storp1881-1893
First resident pastor (1884); purchased and enlarged a small frame house as a rectory.
- Father Patrick A. Lyons1893-1897
Succeeded Father Storp.
- Monsignor Clement Johannes1897-1940
Built the present church (1899-1900) and oversaw the school (1917); honored with the title of Monsignor by Pope Pius XI in 1930; died January 10, 1940.
- Father Paul Heinen1940 (temporary)
Served as temporary administrator after Msgr. Johannes' death.
- Father John J. Hogan1940-
Became pastor on March 14, 1940; was still pastor in the parish's centennial year (1956).