About St. Mary of Perpetual Help · Villa Ridge, Missouri
St. Mary of Perpetual Help is a Catholic parish in the Moselle community of Villa Ridge, Franklin County, Missouri, located in the foothills of the Ozarks. Established in 1905, it belongs to the Archdiocese of St. Louis and is currently linked in shared ministry with nearby St. James Parish in Catawissa and St. Bridget of Kildare in Pacific under the leadership of Fr. Alexander Nord. The parish offers Sunday and weekday Mass, regular confessions, a 24/7 adoration chapel, an active St. Vincent de Paul conference, and a wide range of lay ministries for a small, family-style rural congregation.
- Established
- 1905
- Patron
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Reverend Alexander Nord (Pastoral Administrator since August 1, 2023; pastor of the cooperating parishes of St. Bridget of Kildare, St. James, and St. Mary of Perpetual Help)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis (Metropolitan Archdiocese of Saint Louis)
Why belong here
St. Mary of Perpetual Help offers the warmth of a small, multigenerational rural parish where nearly every ministry — from the choir, lectors, and altar society to the quilters, prayer chain, and St. Vincent de Paul conference — runs on the hands of fellow parishioners. Visitors encounter the Blessed Sacrament available around the clock in a 24/7 adoration chapel, a choice of Sunday Mass in nearby St. James or weekday Mass in the parish, and a parish school/hall campus where funerals, socials, and the parish cemetery are all part of one tight-knit community. It is a place where families learn, teach, get help, and give help — the parish's own description of what makes St. Mary's a living faith community in the Meramec River valley.
Mass times at St. Mary of Perpetual Help
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday mornings, 6:30 am – 7:15 am (at St. Mary of Perpetual Help, Villa Ridge)
- Saturday mornings, 7:00 am – 7:45 am (at St. James, Catawissa)
- Saturday evenings, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm (at St. Bridget of Kildare, Pacific)
- Tuesday evenings, 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm (at St. Bridget of Kildare, Pacific)
Adoration times
- Adoration Chapel open 24 hours / 7 days a week (call the parish office for the access code)
Parish Identity & History
St. Mary of Perpetual Help sits in the Meramec River valley at the foot of the Ozarks in Franklin County, Missouri. What is now an independent parish began in 1881 as a mission of St. Louis, served only by visiting priests. After twenty-four years of mission status, the community petitioned Archbishop John J. Glennon, who sent Rev. Anthony Wigger to inspect the property in June 1905. On Sunday, August 6, 1905, Father Wigger celebrated the first High Mass as resident pastor of what he dedicated to the Blessed Mother under the title of Mary of Perpetual Help. The parish's own history of the era recounts that 'the little old frame church was filled to overflowing' that day.
- Founded 1905; mission origins date to 1881
- Patroness: Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- First resident pastor: Rev. Anthony Wigger (1905)
- Authored first parish history, January 1, 1907
- Early pastoral succession included Feltmann, Hussmann, Schaefer, Fabry, Wigger, Blankenmeier (1925), Meier
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Alexander Nord, who serves as Pastoral Administrator of the three-parish cluster that includes St. Bridget of Kildare (Pacific), St. James (Catawissa), and St. Mary of Perpetual Help (Villa Ridge) since August 1, 2023. Three permanent deacons assist at the parish: Deacon Brian Knight (since June 2018, [email protected]), Deacon Dr. Jim Bornholdt (since August 2023, [email protected]), and Deacon Randy Smith (since October 2023, [email protected]). The parish office is shared and operates Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
- Reverend Alexander Nord — Pastor / Pastoral Administrator (Aug 1, 2023 – present)
- Deacon Brian Knight — Permanent Deacon (June 2018 – present)
- Deacon Dr. Jim Bornholdt — Permanent Deacon (August 2023 – present)
- Deacon Randall (Randy) Smith — Permanent Deacon (October 2023 – present)
Parish & Cluster Parishes
St. Mary of Perpetual Help shares pastoral leadership and many ministries with two neighboring parishes: St. James in Catawissa, MO (Est. 1913; 1107 Summit Drive, Catawissa, MO 63015 — Sunday Mass 11:00 am, Tuesday Mass 8:00 am) and St. Bridget of Kildare in Pacific, MO. The combined Parish Council works 'in cooperation with the Pastor and the total parish in setting policy and establishing goals, objectives and action plans' for the two parishes, with a combined Finance Committee handling physical and financial resources.
- St. Mary of Perpetual Help (Villa Ridge) — Est. 1905
- St. James (Catawissa) — Est. 1913
- St. Bridget of Kildare (Pacific) — cluster partner
- Unified Parish Council and Finance Committee
Parish Councils & Governance
Two governing bodies share responsibility for both St. Mary's and St. James. The Parish Council is the coordinating and unifying structure of the community, working 'in cooperation with the Pastor and the total parish in setting policy and establishing goals, objectives and action plans.' The Finance Committee assists the pastor in 'planning, providing for, and supervising the financial affairs and physical properties of the parish,' including the budget, church support, building maintenance, and stewardship of parish resources.
- Parish Council (policy, goals, representation)
- Finance Committee (budget, buildings, stewardship)
Parish Ministries & Organizations
The parish's own language describes its organizations as 'the embodiment of our parish community,' 'where parishioners learn and teach, get help and give help, and demonstrate their faith as active members of the community.' Liturgical ministries include the Music Ministry (choir for Sundays, Christmas Mass, weddings, funerals, and special functions); the Ministry of Readers/Lectors (open to anyone high-school-age or older, with training provided); and the Altar Society (cleaning, altar linens, and decorative fundraising). Service and prayer ministries include the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Prayer Chain, Quilters (hand-made quilts for parish socials), Maintenance volunteers, and the Welcoming Committee.
- Music Ministry (choir for Sunday Mass, weddings, funerals, holy days)
- Ministry of Readers / Lectors
- Altar Society (cleaning, linens, flowers, fundraising)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (helpline 1-877-238-3228 ext. 3311)
- Prayer Chain
- Quilters
- Maintenance volunteers
- Welcoming Committee
- Cemetery care (St. Mary's cemetery and St. James cemetery)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Across the three-parish cluster, formal catechesis is offered through the PSR (Parish School of Religion) for children in PK3 through 8th grade, OCIA / OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults/Children) for adults and children above the age of reason, and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for ages 3 to 6. A youth ministry serves teens in grades 7–12 through monthly meetings built around discipleship, evangelization, and community. The parish also supports adult formation through men's and women's groups, Cursillo retreats, and the Seven Sisters Apostolate (a team of seven women praying one weekly Holy Hour for the pastor).
- PSR (Parish School of Religion) — PK3 through 8th grade
- OCIA / OCIC — Christian Initiation of Adults and Children
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3–6)
- Youth Ministry (grades 7–12)
- Men's Group ('That Man Is You')
- Women's Group ('Blessed Is She')
- Teams of Our Lady (TOOL) — couples
- Seven Sisters Apostolate (prayer for Fr. Nord)
- Cursillo weekend retreats
Outreach & Charity
St. Vincent de Paul is the principal arm of charitable outreach in the parish. The international Catholic society operates locally 'in a spirit of justice and charity, by person-to-person involvement of its members, to help those who are suffering.' Funding comes from parish food drives, canned-goods donations, and Offertory envelopes. The annual Thanksgiving Dinner ministry cooks, serves, and delivers Thanksgiving meals to anyone in the community who requests one. Funeral luncheon ministry, meal train ministry, Respect Life, and a Widows Luncheon round out the service offerings.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — assistance helpline 1-877-238-3228 ext. 3311
- Thanksgiving Dinner (annual)
- Meal Train Ministry
- Funeral Luncheon Ministry
- Respect Life
- Widows Luncheon
Worship & Music
Music ministry at St. Mary of Perpetual Help welcomes anyone with an interest in singing or playing, 'whether you are a trained musician or someone who just enjoys singing.' The choir supports weekly Sunday Mass, holy days such as Christmas, and special occasions including weddings, funerals, and parish celebrations. Heavenly Dusters, a separate cleaning ministry, helps keep the church — including its worship spaces — vacuumed, dusted, and polished.
- Music Ministry — parish choir
- Music for Christmas Mass, weddings, funerals
- Heavenly Dusters (four cleaning teams)
Facilities & Property
The parish campus at 1587 Highway AM includes the church itself, the parish school referenced in the history (now remembered as the building opposite which St. Mary's cemetery sits), and a parish hall available for meetings, socials, and gatherings. A full kitchen area is part of the hall-rental setup. The St. Mary's cemetery is located across from the school; the St. James cemetery is on its own parish grounds next to the rectory. Volunteers are welcomed for 'minor repairs, grass cutting, landscaping' in either setting.
- Parish church, 1587 Highway AM, Villa Ridge
- Parish school (historic)
- Parish hall with full kitchen — available for meetings/socials
- St. Mary's Cemetery (across from school)
- St. James Cemetery (on parish grounds, next to rectory)
- Maintenance volunteer opportunities (repairs, mowing, landscaping)
Hall Rentals
The parish hall at St. Mary's (and St. James) is available for meetings, socials, and parish gatherings, and includes a full kitchen area. Use is coordinated through the parish office.
- Available for meetings and socials
- Full kitchen on site
- Book through the parish office (636-451-4685)
Cemetery
St. Mary's cemetery is located across from the school; the parish notes that help is 'always' welcome maintaining both the St. Mary's and St. James cemeteries. For information on cemetery plots or records, the parish asks visitors to contact the parish office.
- St. Mary's Cemetery — across from the parish school
- St. James Cemetery — on parish grounds, next to the rectory
- Volunteers always needed for upkeep
- Contact parish office for cemetery information
Community Life
Alongside worship and service, the parish holds several community-building events each year. The Progressive Dinner sends parishioners from all three cluster parishes traveling to different homes for a shared meal each summer. A Women's Club plans an annual trivia night to raise funds for the 8th-grade pro-life trip. Groups of parishioners travel to the St. Louis Catholic Men for Christ and St. Louis Catholic Women for Christ conferences each spring. The parish also promotes a Stewardship Council in lieu of a traditional parish council, advising Pastor Fr. Nord.
- Progressive Dinner (summer)
- Women's Club Trivia Night (fundraiser)
- St. Louis Catholic Men for Christ Conference (spring)
- St. Louis Catholic Women for Christ Conference (spring)
- Stewardship Council (advises the pastor)
Getting Involved
Parishioners and visitors are encouraged to join any of the parishes' organizations and to contact the parish office for more information. The parish emphasizes that 'the organizations of St. Mary's and St. James Parishes are the embodiment of our parish community' — they are where the faithful 'learn and teach, get help and give help, and demonstrate their faith as active members of the community.' A Ministry Interest Form is available through the partnering parishes.
- Join any parish organization (music, lectors, altar society, SVdP, quilters, prayer chain, etc.)
- Contact parish office: (636) 451-4685 or [email protected]
- Volunteer for maintenance, cemetery, or hall-rental needs
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
The parish office serves both St. Mary of Perpetual Help and St. James and is staffed Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm (closed Wednesday and Thursday). To reach the office, call (636) 451-4685 or write to [email protected]. The St. Vincent de Paul helpline is 1-877-238-3228 ext. 3311. The physical address is 1587 Highway AM, Villa Ridge, MO 63089.
- Parish Office Phone: (636) 451-4685
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Fri — 9:00 am to 2:00 pm (closed Wed & Thu)
- St. Vincent de Paul Helpline: 1-877-238-3228 ext. 3311
- Address: 1587 Hwy AM, Villa Ridge, MO 63089
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. J. T. Feltmann1881–1886
Visiting priest in the early years of the Moselle Mission.
- Rev. Henry Hussmann1887–1890
Visiting pastor; later gave Charles Lindbergh his medal for flight.
- Rev. Charles Schaefer1891–1895
Visiting pastor; kept most records of the 1800s.
- Rev. Henry Fabry1896–1904
Visiting pastor; first mentioned to the congregation it would become a parish.
- Rev. Anton (Anthony) Wigger1905–
First resident pastor; installed Aug. 6, 1905; wrote the first parish history in 1907.
- Rev. E. J. Blankenmeierfrom 1925
Listed among early pastors.
- Rev. Edward Meier
Listed among early pastors.
- Rev. Alexander NordAugust 1, 2023 – present
Current Pastoral Administrator for the three-parish (St. Bridget/St. James/St. Mary) partnership.