About St. Mary Catholic Church · Trenton, Illinois
St. Mary Catholic Church, formally the Parish of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Trenton, Illinois, in the Diocese of Belleville. Founded in 1858 to serve Catholic families in the local coal-mining community, the parish built its first church in 1864 and has ministered continuously in Clinton County for more than 165 years. Today St. Mary's is partnered with St. George Parish in nearby New Baden, sharing clergy, religious education, and youth ministry between the two communities. The parish is currently led by Fr. George Zieba, C.R., of the Congregation of the Resurrection, and is served by several permanent deacons and a dedicated lay pastoral staff.
- Established
- 1858
- Patron
- Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. George Zieba, C.R. (Congregation of the Resurrection)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville
Why belong here
St. Mary is a rooted, multigenerational Catholic parish in Trenton with more than 165 years of continuous worship and community life. It combines a traditional Sunday Mass and Eucharistic Adoration schedule with a full complement of lay-led ministries — from choir, lectors, and altar servers to Knights of Columbus, Ladies Altar Sodality, Catholic Men, and St. Vincent de Paul outreach — and a robust Faith Formation program that partners with neighboring St. George Parish, New Baden. Families will find K-8 Religious Education classes on Sunday mornings, SGM EDGE (middle school) and SGM Life Teen (high school) youth ministry, sacramental preparation for First Communion, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation, and an active OCIA process for adults entering the Church. It is a parish where worship, formation, fellowship, and service are visibly interwoven into everyday parish life.
Mass times at St. Mary Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. (when Mass is celebrated at St. Mary's church)
Adoration times
- First Friday of the Month: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with Benediction at 5:00 p.m.
- Adoration for Vocations: Third Friday of the Month, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Parish History & Heritage
The Parish of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary began in 1858 when Fr. Peter Peters began celebrating Mass with a small group of Catholic families in the coal-mining town of Trenton, Illinois. For its first decade the community worshipped in homes (notably Thomas McMahon's) and in the public school, until a church seating 200 was built in 1864 — the same year baptism and funeral records began. The first resident pastor, Fr. Anthony Brefeld, arrived in 1868, and the parish has been served continuously by priests of the Diocese of Belleville ever since. A small Catholic school opened in 1870 with Fr. Brefeld as teacher, and the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ took over instruction in 1876, remaining for 124 years.
- 1858: First Mass celebrated by Fr. Peter Peters in Trenton homes and the public school
- 1864: First church built (seating 200); sacramental records begin
- 1868: Fr. Anthony Brefeld arrives as first resident pastor
- 1870: Parish school opens, taught by Fr. Brefeld
- 1876: Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ begin teaching at the school
- 1883: Original church enlarged to accommodate growth
- 1902: New, larger parish school built
- 1914: Parish Hall built by 155 families
- 1950–1953: Current church constructed under Fr. Gerard Netemeyer
- 1955: Parishioner count reaches approximately 1,500
- 1970: Sanctuary and nave renovated under Fr. Clement Dirler (Vatican II)
- 1975: Parishioner Rev. Mr. John Dilley ordained first permanent deacon of the Diocese of Belleville
- 2000: End of Poor Handmaids' 124-year ministry; convent converted to parish offices
- 2013: 60th anniversary 'Rededicating Living Stones' mission year
- 2020: Capital Campaign launched for roof, stained-glass, and interior repairs
Worship & Liturgy
St. Mary's regular worship schedule is shared with its partner parish, St. George in New Baden. Saturday Vigil Mass and the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass are celebrated at St. George; St. Mary hosts the 8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass. Daily Mass is celebrated on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. at St. Mary, and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8:00 a.m. at St. George. Holy Day schedules are posted in the bulletin. The parish website encourages parishioners to become familiar with the worship schedule as part of exploring parish life.
- Sunday Mass at 8:00 a.m. (St. Mary)
- Weekday Mass Tuesday & Thursday at 8:00 a.m. (St. Mary)
- Saturday Vigil & additional Sunday Mass at St. George, New Baden
- Holy Day schedule posted in the bulletin
- Liturgical Environment Committee decorates the worship space for the seasons
- Choir & Cantors lead sung liturgy
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Mary's Faith Formation program is run jointly with partner parish St. George, New Baden. The K-8 Religious Education Program meets on Sunday mornings from 9:10 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. at St. Mary for the 2025–2026 academic year, led by Coordinators Christine Wheeler, Colleen Kunz, and Stephanie Haar. The program emphasizes building a personal relationship with Jesus through commandments, saints, prayers, sacraments, and engaging discussion. Sacramental preparation for First Communion and First Reconciliation is offered in second grade, with parent involvement built into the process.
- K-8 Religious Education Classes: Sundays 9:10 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. at St. Mary
- Coordinators: Christine Wheeler, Colleen Kunz, Stephanie Haar ([email protected])
- First Communion & First Reconciliation preparation in 2nd grade
- Registration materials and 2025–2026 handbook available on parish website
- Pastoral staff developing 'on-line' faith formation through FlockNote
Youth Ministry
The parish operates two complementary youth programs under the joint 'SGM' (St. George / St. Mary) banner. SGM EDGE serves middle-school students in grades 7–8, meeting their educational, spiritual, emotional, and social needs. SGM Life Teen serves high-school students in grades 9–12 with Life Nights every other Sunday night, weekly Wednesday-night Bible study ('Life Teen Word'), catechesis, relational ministry, service projects, retreats, and social events. Both programs are open to teens regardless of religious background.
- SGM EDGE (grades 7–8): Leaders Christine Wheeler & Jamie Wyms ([email protected])
- SGM Life Teen (grades 9–12): Leaders Dana Wolfslau & Kassie Hund ([email protected])
- Life Nights every other Sunday evening
- Life Teen Word (Bible study) Wednesday nights
- Confirmation Preparation: two-year program culminating in Easter for 8th graders
OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
St. Mary's runs the OCIA process (formerly known as RCIA) for adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church. Rooted in the earliest Church traditions of welcoming new members, the nine-month journey combines prayer, study, and discussion of Catholic teaching and culminates in the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation — typically at Easter. Inquiries can be directed to the parish office.
- Nine-month formation process
- Culminates at Easter with Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation
- Contact parish office to inquire
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners of all ages serve the liturgy at St. Mary's through a wide range of lay liturgical roles. Musicians, choir, and cantors lead sung prayer at the Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses. Lectors proclaim Scripture, while Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (age 16+) distribute the Eucharist at Mass and bring it to the sick and homebound. Sacristans prepare sacred vessels, and the Liturgical Environment Committee decorates the church for each liturgical season. Servers include children from 4th grade (coordinated by Deacon John Mote) and adult Senior Altar Servers who assist at Sunday and Funeral Masses.
- Musicians, Choir & Cantors — rehearsals before Mass or as agreed
- Lectors (high school age and older)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (age 16+)
- Altar Servers (grades 4+, Deacon John Mote)
- Senior Altar Servers (adults, monthly and at funerals)
- Sacristans
- Liturgical Linen Volunteers
- Liturgical Environment Committee
Parish Life, Fellowship & Service
Beyond the liturgy, St. Mary's offers many ways to build community and serve others. The Fellowship Committee organizes social gatherings; the Picnic Committee runs the annual fundraiser held on the last Saturday of July; and the Building and Grounds Committee maintains parish buildings, grounds, and the parish cemetery. Hospitality Ministers and Ushers greet parishioners at Mass, and the Offertory Counters process the weekly collection on Tuesday mornings at the parish office. Social-justice outreach includes visiting the homebound, food-pantry volunteering, and the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society.
- Parish Pastoral Council (meets 3rd Wednesday monthly, excluding December and July)
- Finance Council
- Building and Grounds (includes cemetery care)
- Fellowship Committee
- Offertory Counters (Tuesday mornings)
- Ministers of Hospitality / Ushers
- Capital Campaign Committee
- Annual Parish Picnic (last Saturday of July)
Parish Organizations
St. Mary's is home to several long-standing fraternal and devotional organizations. The Ladies Altar Sodality meets on the 4th Tuesday evening of each month (except summer) in the parish center, hosting funeral luncheons, supporting youth ministry and altar servers, and running spring and fall rummage sales and a quilt-of-the-month raffle. The Knights of Columbus council — instituted June 10, 1945 — meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Knights of Columbus room in the St. Mary's School basement and runs monthly Euchre tournaments, the September ID (Tootsie Roll) Drive, and a November Turkey Raffle. The Holy Name Society, Catholic Men (every other Saturday morning, 7:00–8:00 a.m.), and Catholic Fraternal Life round out the parish's organizational life.
- Ladies Altar Sodality — meets 4th Tuesday monthly (parish center)
- Knights of Columbus (instituted June 10, 1945) — meets 1st Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
- Catholic Men — meets every other Saturday, 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
- Holy Name Society
- Catholic Fraternal Life (CFL) — based in Belleville, IL
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
Pastoral Staff & Parish Office
The pastoral team at St. Mary is led by Fr. George Zieba, C.R. (Congregation of the Resurrection), pastor since July 2023. Four permanent deacons assist with liturgical and pastoral care: Deacon Brad Haar, Deacon Justin Wolfslau, Deacon John Mote, and Deacon Tom Ritzheimer. Faith Formation is coordinated by Christine Wheeler, Colleen Kunz, and Stephanie Haar. Angela Rogers serves as Secretary/Bookkeeper, and Steve Lodes handles grounds and maintenance. Youth-ministry leaders include Dana Wolfslau and Kassie Hund (Life Teen) and Christine Wheeler and Jamie Wyms (EDGE). The parish office is open at 218 W. Kentucky Street and can be reached at (618) 224-9335 or [email protected].
- Pastor: Fr. George Zieba, C.R.
- Deacon Brad Haar
- Deacon Justin Wolfslau
- Deacon John Mote
- Deacon Tom Ritzheimer
- Faith Formation Coordinators: Christine Wheeler, Colleen Kunz, Stephanie Haar
- Secretary/Bookkeeper: Angela Rogers
- Grounds & Maintenance: Steve Lodes
Sacraments at St. Mary
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments and supports families and individuals through every life stage. Infant Baptism is arranged through the parish office; First Reconciliation and First Communion are prepared in 2nd-grade Religious Education; Confirmation requires a two-year preparation (typically completed in 8th grade) and is celebrated in the Easter Season. Adults seeking full initiation prepare through the OCIA process. Couples planning marriage should contact the parish office, and the Anointing of the Sick and Reconciliation can be requested as needed.
- Baptism — infant baptism request form on parish website
- First Reconciliation & First Communion (2nd grade)
- Confirmation (two-year, Easter Season)
- Marriage — contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — contact parish office
- OCIA — adult initiation
Capital Campaign & Building Care
In 2020, St. Mary launched a Capital Campaign to fund essential repairs and restoration of its parish buildings. Funds raised are earmarked for replacing roofs on the office building and parish center, restoring the church's stained-glass windows, and repainting the church's interior. A dedicated Capital Campaign Committee organizes and carries out the effort. Building and Grounds volunteers are also invited to care for and beautify the parish campus and the parish cemetery throughout the year.
- Roof replacement — office building and parish center
- Stained-glass window restoration in the church
- Interior repainting of the church
- Capital Campaign Committee oversees fundraising
- Building and Grounds Committee maintains the campus and cemetery
Devotions & Holy Days
The parish's patronal feast is the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary on February 2 (Candlemas), which provides the parish with its formal name and is a focal point each year — notably celebrated in 2013 with the parish mission that opened the 'Rededicating Living Stones' anniversary year. During Lent, parishioners gather on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. for the Stations of the Cross, led by lay members of various parish organizations and ministries. The church's 1953 dedication anniversary (December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception) is also commemorated annually. The parish also holds a monthly 'Adoration for Vocations' on the Third Friday of each month.
- Patronal Feast: Purification of the BVM, February 2 (Candlemas)
- Stations of the Cross: Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. during Lent
- Anniversary of church dedication: December 8 (Immaculate Conception)
- Adoration for Vocations: Third Friday of each month, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Peter Peters1858 – September 1865
Founding priest; celebrated Mass in homes and the public school
- Rev. Henry BoeckerSeptember 1865 – March 15, 1868
- Rev. Anthony BrefeldMarch 15, 1868 – August 25, 1879
First resident pastor; built the small Catholic school in 1870 and was its first teacher
- Rev. Francis BonselAugust 25, 1879 – September 1913
- Rev. Felix FerbersSeptember 1913 – April 1914
First priest buried in the parish cemetery
- Rev. Peter GoelzhauserApril 1914 – August 22, 1922
- Rev. Nicolaus DietrichAugust 22, 1922 – October 10, 1928
- Rev. Anthony KuhlsOctober 10, 1928 – April 10, 1943
- Rev. Gerard NetemeyerApril 10, 1943 – September 1966
Built the current church (completed and dedicated 1953)
- Rev. Clement 'Clem' DirlerSeptember 1966 – July 17, 1990
Led the parish through Vatican II reforms; sanctuary/nave renovated in 1970
- Rev. Robert 'Bob' FlanneryJuly 17, 1990 – July 1999
Strengthened lay leadership through Pastoral and Financial Councils
- Rev. James 'Jim' DoughertyJuly 1999 – July 2008
End of the Poor Handmaids' 1876–2000 ministry; convent converted to parish offices
- Rev. Albert 'Gene' KreherJuly 2008 – July 2011
Retired due to health; hired first lay pastoral associate Jeanne Thompson
- Rev. Joseph 'Joe' RascherJuly 2011 – June 2022
60th anniversary re-dedication (2013); launched 2020 Capital Campaign
- Fr. Eugene 'Gene' NeffJune 2022 – October 2022
Temporary administrator
- Fr. Steven BeattyOctober 2022 – June 2023
Administrator
- Fr. George Zieba, C.R.July 2023 – present
Current pastor; Congregation of the Resurrection