About St. Mary · Belleville, Illinois
St. Mary Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the West End of Belleville, Illinois, in the Diocese of Belleville. Founded in 1893 by Bishop John Janssen and the Reverend August J. Sauer, the church was solemnly dedicated on January 16, 1894 under the title of "Mary, Our Lady of Good Counsel." Today the parish is administered by Monsignor William McGhee alongside Deacon Randy Riesenberger, with weekend Masses on Sunday mornings and a robust portfolio of ministries ranging from St. Vincent de Paul to the Parish School of Religion. It is currently partnered with the Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville.
- Established
- 1893
- Patron
- Mary, Our Lady of Good Counsel
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. William McGhee (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville
Why belong here
St. Mary offers a welcoming West End Catholic community where families can worship at two Sunday Masses, serve through more than a dozen active ministries (from choirs and lectors to St. Vincent de Paul and the Fish Fry Crew), and bring their children to the Parish School of Religion. It is partnered with the Cathedral of St. Peter, sharing resources and stability while keeping a small-parish feel. Devotions such as the weekly Pro-Life Rosary, novena, and reconciliation on Thursdays make it a good fit for those looking for a parish with steady traditions of prayer and outreach.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 6:10–6:30 p.m. (per official home page: 5:30–6:00 p.m. reconciliation, 6:10 p.m. Pro-life Rosary; the Diocese directory lists 6:10–6:30 p.m. or by appointment)
Parish History
St. Mary Parish traces its roots to April 1893, when Bishop John Janssen — the first Bishop of Belleville — asked the Reverend August J. Sauer to organize a new parish in Belleville's West End. The cornerstone church was solemnly dedicated on January 16, 1894 under the title 'Mary, Our Lady of Good Counsel.' Sixty-nine families — none of whom spoke English as their primary language — formed the founding community. Successive pastors shaped the physical plant: steam heat (1901), a convent (1903), frescoes (1904), stained-glass windows and a bell tower (1924–1927), and a 39-year pastorate under Monsignor Joseph J. Orlet that added a new rectory and convent. The sanctuary was reworked in 1977 for Vatican II and again under Father James Blazine in the late 1980s.
- Founded 1893 by Bishop John Janssen and Rev. August J. Sauer
- Dedicated January 16, 1894 as 'Mary, Our Lady of Good Counsel'
- Stained-glass windows and bell tower added 1924–1927
- Sanctuary renovated for Vatican II in 1977
- Major church renovation under Fr. James Blazine (roof, windows, asbestos)
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently administered by Rev. Msgr. William McGhee. He is assisted by Deacon Randy Riesenberger, who is also available to the parish's nursing-home and homebound ministry. Jane Schindler serves as Business Manager and is the first point of contact for anyone interested in joining a ministry. Ann Niebur chairs the Pastoral Council and coordinates the Ministry to Nursing Home/Homebound. Maryann Totsch is the Music Director. Trustees are Jaimie Maitret and John Bassler.
- Administrator: Rev. Msgr. William McGhee
- Deacon: Randy Riesenberger
- Business Manager: Jane Schindler
- Music Director: Maryann Totsch
- Chair of Pastoral Council / Nursing-Home Ministry: Ann Niebur
- Trustees: Jaimie Maitret and John Bassler
Thursday Devotions
Thursday evenings are a regular night of prayer at St. Mary. After reconciliation, parishioners gather for the Pro-Life Rosary and a weekly novena, making it a centerpiece of the parish's devotional life.
- Pro-Life Rosary — 6:10 p.m.
- Novena — 6:30 p.m.
Parish Ministries
St. Mary runs a broad ministry roster spanning liturgical service, community life, youth work, and outreach. Liturgical roles include Choirs and Musicians, Servers (both adults and young people), Lectors, Ushers/Ministers of Hospitality, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Community and service groups include the Women's Sodality, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Wednesday Work Crew, Parish Health Ministry, Fish Fry Crew, and Gardening Angels. Youth ministry is provided through CBAY – Belleville Area Youth. Volunteers working with children must be compliant with Child Protection requirements.
- Choirs and Musicians
- Servers (adults and young people)
- Lectors
- Ushers / Ministers of Hospitality
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Women's Sodality
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Wednesday Work Crew
- Parish Health Ministry
- Fish Fry Crew
- Gardening Angels
- CBAY – Belleville Area Youth
- Adult Helpers (Child Protection Compliant)
Pastoral Care for the Sick and Homebound
Ministry to the Nursing Home and Homebound is coordinated by Ann Niebur. Parishioners who are unable to attend Mass can be visited by the parish team and receive Holy Communion at home or in their care facility.
- Contact: Ann Niebur
- Visits to nursing homes and homebound parishioners
Catholic Education
Catholic schooling has been part of St. Mary since the beginning of the parish, at one time enrolling as many as 900 children. As demographics changed, the parish restructured its school ministry: St. Mary's Academy was introduced in the early 2000s, later combined with St. Augustine School to form St. Mary-St. Augustine (SMSA), and in 2015 SMSA merged with Cathedral grade school to form Notre Dame Academy. Notre Dame Academy closed in 2024 due to low enrollment. Today the parish's educational mission is carried on through the Parish School of Religion for public-school students, located at 1900 West Belle, Belleville.
- Parish School of Religion — 1900 West Belle, Belleville, IL 62226 — 618-722-2366
- Past schools: St. Mary's Academy, SMSA (with St. Augustine), Notre Dame Academy (2015–2024)
Partner Parish and Diocese
St. Mary is a parish of the Diocese of Belleville and is partnered with the Cathedral of St. Peter, also in Belleville. The partnership allows the two parishes to share clergy and resources while preserving each community's distinct identity.
- Diocese: Diocese of Belleville
- Partner Parish: Cathedral of St. Peter, Belleville
Contact and Location
St. Mary Parish is located on West Main Street in the West End of Belleville. The parish office can be reached by phone or email, and Masses are live-streamed periodically for those unable to attend in person.
- Address: 1706 W. Main Street, Belleville, IL 62226
- Phone: 618-233-2391
- Fax: 618-233-9201
- Email: [email protected]
- Live stream: available periodically via parish Facebook group
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. August J. Sauer1893–1909
Founding pastor; organized by Bishop John Janssen to start the West End parish.
- Rev. Anton Pieke1909–1910
Succeeded Fr. Sauer; oversaw steam heat, convent, and frescoes.
- Rev. Frederic Beuckmann1910–1934
Installed stained-glass windows and bell tower in the 1920s.
- Msgr. Joseph J. Orlet1934–1973
Appointed by Bishop Althoff; 39-year tenure added convent, rectory, and many church improvements.
- Rev. Ray Orlet1973–1984
Succeeded his uncle; updated the sanctuary for Vatican II in 1977; died of cancer in 1984.
- Rev. Harry Jerome1984–1987
Began the organ renovation, repair, and expansion.
- Rev. James Blazine1987–c.1999
Led the major church renovation — roof, windows, asbestos removal, and the present sanctuary.
- Msgr. John Myler1999–2007
Led a successful capital campaign for needed repairs.
- Rev. Christopher Anyanwu2012–2021
Named Administrator in July 2012.
- Rev. Michael Arockiam2021–2024
Succeeded Fr. Christopher as Administrator in August 2021.