St. Mary

History of St. Mary's, Westwoods

St. Mary's was founded by German immigrants from the Westerwald region in the early-to-mid 1850s. Mass was first celebrated in parishioners' homes beginning in 1847, with the inaugural Mass offered in the home of Mr. Goetten. In 1859 the community built its first church — originally named Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary — on land donated by the Goetten and Becker families. A second, larger frame church was dedicated in 1897. The congregation grew steadily through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the parish receiving its first resident priest, Father Bernard Rossmoeller, in 1879.

• 1847 — First Mass in the home of Mr. Goetten
• 1859 — First church built on 2.5-acre plot donated by the Goetten and Becker families; originally named Presentation of Blessed Virgin Mary
• 1879 — Father Bernard Rossmoeller becomes first resident priest
• 1897 — Second, larger frame church dedicated
• 1909 — St. Mary's School (one-room schoolhouse) built
• 1914 (March 9) — Church destroyed by fire
• 1914 (autumn) — Rebuilt in brick Romanesque style; still in use today
• 1968 — School closed; students sent to Holy Ghost grade school in Jerseyville

The 1914 Romanesque Church

When fire destroyed the church on March 9, 1914, the parishioners responded quickly. By the autumn of that same year, they had rebuilt the church in a brick, Romanesque style — the same building the parish still uses today. The Goetten and Becker families had earlier donated the original 2.5-acre plot, and the rebuilt church stands on the same hilltop location roughly a half mile north of the site of the very first home Mass.

Public Worship Across the Jersey County Cluster

St. Mary's is one of four Catholic parishes in the Jersey County Catholic cluster, alongside Holy Ghost (Jerseyville), St. Francis Xavier, and St. Patrick's. The cluster shares clergy and staff, and parishioners of St. Mary's can attend daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and Stations of the Cross at any of the cluster parishes. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is celebrated Wednesday at 4:30 PM at Holy Ghost Parish, with confessions heard during Adoration. During Lent, Stations of the Cross are prayed publicly — including every Wednesday in Lent at 7:00 PM at St. Francis Xavier Parish — so the faithful can recall the Lord's Passion and prepare for the celebration of His Resurrection.

• Sunday Mass: St. Patrick's 8:00 AM; Holy Ghost 8:00 AM; St. Mary's 9:30 AM; St. Francis Xavier 10:15 AM and 5:00 PM; Holy Ghost 11:15 AM
• Saturday Vigil Mass: St. Francis Xavier 4:00 PM (Confession 3:15–3:55 PM); Holy Ghost 5:30 PM (Confession 5:00–5:25 PM)
• Daily Mass: Mon/Tue 8:30 AM Holy Ghost; Wed 5:30 PM Holy Ghost; Thu 8:30 AM St. Francis Xavier; Fri 8:15 AM St. Francis Xavier; 1st Saturday 8:15 AM St. Francis Xavier
• Adoration: Wednesday 4:30 PM at Holy Ghost (with confessions)
• Stations of the Cross (Lent): Wednesdays 7:00 PM at St. Francis Xavier

Parish Staff & Clergy

St. Mary's is served by the clergy and staff of the Jersey County Catholic parishes. The Very Rev. Martin Smith, V.F., serves as pastor (residing at Holy Ghost, Jerseyville) and is assisted by Parochial Vicars Rev. Ramesh Babu Matta and Rev. Hilary Obor, and Deacon Kenneth R. Funk. Lay staff include Bradley Wise (Office Manager), Kelli Travers (Secretary — primary contact for St. Mary's and Holy Ghost), Keaten Mansfield (Director of Religious Education and Director of Sacred Liturgy), and Dennis Cramsey (Director of Advancement).

• Pastor: Very Rev. Martin Smith, V.F.
• Parochial Vicar: Rev. Ramesh Babu Matta
• Parochial Vicar: Rev. Hilary Obor
• Deacon: Kenneth R. Funk
• Office Manager: Bradley Wise — [email protected]
• Secretary: Kelli Travers — [email protected]
• DRE / Director of Sacred Liturgy: Keaten Mansfield — [email protected]
• Director of Advancement: Dennis Cramsey — [email protected]

Faith Formation & Sacraments

Faith formation for St. Mary's children is coordinated through the cluster's Parish School of Religion (PSR) program and St. Francis/Holy Ghost School. Children at least seven years old may prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Confession for the first time through this formation. The seven Catholic sacraments — celebrated as physical expressions of sacred experiences — are described by the cluster as metaphorical doorways for parishioners to enter and return to the church throughout their lives, from birth through death. The Anointing of the Sick is offered to those in need.

• Anointing of the Sick
• Reconciliation (Confession) — by appointment at St. Mary's; weekly times at Holy Ghost and St. Francis Xavier
• First Confession — through PSR or St. Francis/Holy Ghost School (age 7+)
• Baptism, Marriage — coordinated through the parish office

Visit, Contact & Joining the Parish

Visitors and prospective parishioners are warmly welcomed at St. Mary's. The parish shares offices and staff with the Jersey County Catholic cluster, headquartered at 306 N. Washington, Jerseyville, IL 62052. To learn more about Holy Ghost, St. Mary's Westwood, or any parish in the cluster, contact Kelli Travers at (618) 498-3416 or email the parish office.

• Church Address: 17581 State Highway 16, Fieldon, IL 62031
• Mailing Address: 306 N. Washington, Jerseyville, IL 62052
• Phone: (618) 498-3416
• Office Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Primary Contact (St. Mary's): Kelli Travers — [email protected]