About St. Mary · Centralia, Illinois
Saint Mary Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Centralia, Illinois, established in 1857 and belonging to the Diocese of Belleville. The parish serves the faithful at 424 East Broadway in downtown Centralia, offering weekend Masses on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, the Sacrament of Reconciliation before Saturday Mass, and a Catholic grade school (St. Mary School) that has educated children on or near the parish grounds since 1867. St. Mary is currently partnered in ministry with St. Mary in Carlyle, St. Teresa in Marydale, and St. Lawrence in Sandoval, and is staffed by a pastor, parochial vicar, deacon, and a small team of lay employees and religious-education coordinators.
- Established
- 1857
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (parish name: St. Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Steven Pautler
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville
Why belong here
St. Mary offers the faithful of Centralia a welcoming place to worship at historic 424 E. Broadway, with a Saturday vigil and Sunday morning Mass that fit a working-week schedule, Saturday confession, and a Catholic school that has been forming young disciples since 1867. The parish combines the closeness of a smaller community with the resources of a cluster ministry that links it to St. Mary in Carlyle, St. Teresa in Marydale, and St. Lawrence in Sandoval under the Diocese of Belleville.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:15–3:45 p.m.
- Or by appointment
Parish Identity & Worship
Saint Mary Catholic Parish in Centralia, Illinois, is a Roman Catholic community in the Diocese of Belleville, established in 1857. Weekend worship centers on a Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:00 p.m. and a Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m. Holy Day Masses are announced in the bulletin. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Saturday afternoons from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m., or by appointment, and the parish also records Mass and liturgical events for online viewing.
- Saturday Vigil Mass — 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday Mass — 10:30 a.m.
- Holy Day Mass — as announced
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:15–3:45 p.m. or by appointment
Clergy & Parish Staff
St. Mary is served by a small, stable team of clergy and lay staff. The pastor, parochial vicar, and deacon are assisted by a business manager, parish secretary, and coordinator of religious education. Contact extensions route parishioners to the right office during parish business hours.
- Rev. Steven Pautler — Pastor (Ext. 307)
- Rev. Deva Ubbarapu — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Daniel Laquet
- Susan Niepoetter — Business Manager (Ext. 305)
- Rosa Villagomez — Parish Secretary (Ext. 301)
- Mike Klostermann — Coordinator of Religious Education (Ext. 306)
Parish School (St. Mary School)
St. Mary Catholic School has been educating children in Centralia since 1867, ten years after the parish itself was founded. Today the school serves Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8 in partnership with parents and guardians, providing a Christian atmosphere that nurtures acceptance, respect, self-discipline, and responsibility. Students in grades 1–8 are 1:1 with Chromebooks, classrooms are equipped with Clear Touch interactive panels, and the school is staffed by IL State Board certified teachers. Students attend weekly Mass and participate in service-learning and faith formation throughout the year.
- Founded 1867
- Pre-K through Grade 8
- Located at 100 N. Maple, Centralia, IL 62801
- Principal: Maria Pryor — (618) 532-3473
- 1:1 Chromebook program for grades 1–8
- Weekly student Mass
- Athletics: cross country, girls basketball, Willow Grove - St. Mary Softball
- Student Council, Christmas Concert, Blessing of Pets, Trunk or Treat, Oktoberfest
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education for parish children and families is coordinated by Mike Klostermann (Ext. 306). The program complements the daily faith formation that takes place at St. Mary School and welcomes students from the broader community whose families are members of St. Mary Parish.
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Mike Klostermann, Ext. 306
Cluster Parish Partnerships
St. Mary, Centralia is currently partnered with neighboring parishes in the Diocese of Belleville for shared pastoral planning and resources. This cluster model allows the priests and staff of St. Mary to extend ministry across south-central Illinois while keeping a strong home base in Centralia.
- St. Mary, Carlyle
- St. Teresa, Marydale
- St. Lawrence, Sandoval
Parish Life & Events
Life at St. Mary is marked by the rhythm of the school year and the liturgical year. Recent parish and school events captured on the website include the Christmas Mass and Concert, the Eighth Grade Girls Recognition Mass, Turkey Bingo, the Halloween Parade, Trunk or Treat, Oktoberfest, the Pumpkin Drop Challenge, the Cross Country season, the Willow Grove - St. Mary Softball Regional Championship, and the Blessing of Pets. The parish also publishes a monthly newsletter and a bulletin with announcements.
- Saint Mary Parish Monthly Newsletter
- Parish Bulletin
- Online Giving
- Recorded Mass and Liturgical Events
Diocese & Wider Church
St. Mary Parish belongs to the Diocese of Belleville, which covers the southern portion of Illinois. The parish website links parishioners to Bishop McGovern, the diocesan pastoral plan 'Servants of Christ's Mission: A Pastoral Plan for the Diocese of Belleville 2024–2027,' and the diocesan school and parish directories.
- Diocese of Belleville
- Bishop McGovern
- Servants of Christ's Mission — Diocesan Pastoral Plan 2024–2027
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Mary by phone, mail, or through the parish and school websites. The parish office is located in the same block as the church at 424 E. Broadway in Centralia.
- Address: 424 E. Broadway, Centralia, IL 62801
- Parish phone: 618-532-6291
- Parish fax: 618-532-4758
- School phone: 618-532-3473
- Parish website: stmarycentralia.org
- School website: smscentralia.org