About St. Mary of the Woods · Princeville, Illinois
St. Mary of the Woods is a Roman Catholic parish in the small rural community of Princeville, Illinois, in the Diocese of Peoria. Founded in 1867 by early Irish and German Catholic settlers, the parish served generations of farming families in northern Peoria County. On May 11, 2025, St. Mary of the Woods merged with St. Dominic of Wyoming, St. John the Baptist of Bradford, and St. Joseph of Brimfield to form the new Incarnation of Our Lord Parish, with the parish offices now housed at the former St. Mary of the Woods church building in Princeville.
- Established
- 1867
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (under the title 'Our Lady of the Woods')
- Rector
- Rev. Corey Krengiel (Pastor of Incarnation of Our Lord Parish, the merged parish formed in May 2025 that includes St. Mary of the Woods)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
St. Mary of the Woods has been the spiritual home of Catholic families in the Princeville area since 1867, with daily and weekend Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation offered in a peaceful rural setting. As part of the newly formed Incarnation of Our Lord Parish, parishioners now belong to a four-church community committed to faith, hope, and charity, ready to help others discover 'the difference God makes in our lives and the perennial truth of Christ who saves us.' It is a place where the traditions of a small farming community meet the wider mission of the Church in central Illinois.
Mass times at St. Mary of the Woods
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
- Thursday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
History of St. Mary of the Woods
Catholicity came to Princeville Township with the area's early Irish and German settlers, who initially had no nearby Catholic church and would drive to Kickapoo or Peoria for worship. At that time the Peoria area was part of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and priests from Peoria City served the scattered faithful. On September 7, 1867, Rev. J. Murphy was appointed first Rector of the Princeville Parish. During his tenure the old Presbyterian church was purchased and converted into a Catholic house of worship. Father Albrecht, one of his successors, built the present rectory, and Rev. P. A. McGair (1884–1891) erected the present brick church of St. Mary's of the Woods.
- Founded: September 7, 1867
- First Rector: Rev. J. Murphy
- Rectory built by Father Albrecht
- Present brick church erected under Rev. P. A. McGair (1884–1891)
- Parish established 1867 per Diocese of Peoria and GCatholic records
Merger into Incarnation of Our Lord Parish (2025)
On May 10–11, 2025, St. Mary of the Woods of Princeville merged with three neighboring rural parishes — St. Dominic of Wyoming, St. John the Baptist of Bradford, and St. Joseph of Brimfield — to form Incarnation of Our Lord Parish in the Diocese of Peoria. The four historic churches now worship together as one parish community 'rich in what matters to God – faith, hope and charity,' sharing their gifts across the rural communities they serve. The Incarnation Parish offices are now housed at the former St. Mary of the Woods church building at 119 Saint Mary Street in Princeville.
- Merger effective: May 10–11, 2025
- Four founding churches: St. Mary of the Woods (Princeville), St. Dominic (Wyoming), St. John the Baptist (Bradford), St. Joseph (Brimfield)
- Incarnation Parish offices located at St. Mary of the Woods, Princeville
- Parish office hours: Tuesday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Parish office phone: 309-385-2578
- Parish office email: [email protected]
Parish Leadership and Staff
St. Mary of the Woods (now Incarnation Parish) has been served by a succession of pastors since its founding in 1867. The newly merged Incarnation Parish is led by Rev. Corey Krengiel as Pastor, with Senior Deacons John (Ray) Burton and Frederick also serving. Parish office staff include Anna Sennett (parish secretary) and Kathy Sullivan (Coordinator of Religious Education).
- Rev. Corey Krengiel — Pastor, Incarnation of Our Lord Parish
- Deacon John (Ray) Burton — Senior Status
- Deacon Frederick — Senior Status
- Anna Sennett — Parish Secretary
- Kathy Sullivan — Coordinator of Religious Education
Visit and Contact
St. Mary of the Woods is located at 119 Saint Mary Street in the Village of Princeville, Peoria County, Illinois. The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and visitors are warmly welcomed to attend Mass or stop by the rectory office. The historic website at www.smowcatholic.com now directs visitors to the merged Incarnation of Our Lord Parish website.
- Address: 119 Saint Mary Street, Princeville, IL 61559
- Rectory phone: 309-385-4370
- Parish Office phone: 309-385-2578
- Office hours: Tuesday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.smowcatholic.com → www.incarnationcatholic.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. J. Murphy1867–
First Rector of Princeville Parish; purchased the old Presbyterian church and converted it for Catholic worship.
- Father Albrecht
Built the present rectory.
- Rev. Chas. Wenserski
- Rev. Father Moore
- Very Rev. J. Canon Moynihan
- Rev. H. Schreiber1881–
- Rev. P. A. McGair1884–
Erected the present brick church of St. Mary's of the Woods.
- Rev. C. A. Hausser1891–
- Rev. C. P. O'Neill1901–
- Rev. Martin Mwongyera
Pastor (prior to merger into Incarnation Parish).
- Rev. Steven Bird
Pastor (listed in directory prior to merger).