About St. Mary · Pierce City, Missouri
St. Mary's Catholic Church is a historic parish in Pierce City, Missouri, in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. Founded in 1883 by German Catholic settlers along the Frisco railroad, the parish has served Lawrence County for more than 140 years and is the spiritual home to descendants of the original Irish, German and Polish Catholic pioneers of the region. Today the parish campus at 200 Front Street includes the 1913 Romanesque-style brick church, a preschool-through-8th-grade Catholic school (established 1885), a parish hall and cafeteria, a gymnasium, and a pavilion used for parish gatherings. St. Mary's is known for its tight-knit small-town parish life, including the annual Old Fashioned Picnic on the first Sunday of June and the parish's role as a community shelter after the devastating May 2003 tornado.
- Established
- 1883
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Sanoop (Sanu) Thomas, OSB
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a small-town Catholic parish where generations of families have worshipped together since 1883. With daily and weekend Masses, a thriving preschool-through-8th-grade Catholic school, a strong PSR program, Knights of Columbus, Parish Council of Catholic Women, a cemetery committee, and signature traditions like the Old Fashioned Picnic and Lenten Fish Fry, St. Mary's offers many ways to put faith into action. The parish prides itself on being a unifying, welcoming presence in the community — most memorably when, after the May 2003 tornado, the church and school became the hub of relief efforts for the whole town.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday — 3:30 PM (30 minutes before Mass)
- Monday — 7:45 AM (30 minutes before Mass)
- Wednesday — 7:45 AM (30 minutes before Mass)
- Friday — 7:45 AM (30 minutes before Mass)
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday of every month, 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM, with Benediction at 7:00 PM
History of St. Mary's Catholic Church
St. Mary's traces its roots to the Irish, German and Polish Catholic railroad workers who settled Pierce City in 1870. While the first Catholic church in town — St. John's, later renamed St. Patrick's — was established in 1871, the German families petitioned Bishop John Hogan of Kansas City for their own parish, and in September 1883 the first St. Mary's church committee was elected. Over the next 140+ years, the parish survived a fire (1892), the departure of the Sisters in 1921, a devastating 1941 flood, and the closure of nearby mission churches (St. Patrick's in 1954 and St. Michael's in Wentworth in 1966).
- 1870: Irish, German and Polish Frisco railroad workers begin settling the area
- 1871: St. John's (later St. Patrick's) — first Catholic church in Pierce City
- 1883: First St. Mary's church committee elected in September; land purchased from the Baptist congregation in the Clear Creek Addition
- 1885–1886: First parochial school classes held in a farmhouse seven miles south of town
- 1889: School building built, taught by Sisters Eulalia and Benedicta of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood from O'Fallon
- 1892: Fire destroys church; replaced by frame building; Polish immigrants form their own community at Bricefield (Pulaskifield)
- c.1895: Orphan Trains place 28 children in area homes — many current parishioners descend from them
- 1910: Father Sisbert Burkhard, O.S.B., becomes pastor
- 1913 (March 11): Present Romanesque brick church dedicated ($30,000)
- 1941: Flood damages basement, convent, rectory; cross on steeple gold-leafed
- 1954: St. Patrick's closed
- 1966: St. Michael's in Wentworth closed
- 1968: Present rectory, school and parish hall built
- 1975: Pietà statue revealed to be an antique wood carving
- 1981: Multi-purpose building built
- 1986: Lay faculty replace sisters in the school
- 1987 (June): Old Fashioned Picnic begins (held first Sunday in June)
- 2003 (May 4): Tornado destroys most of town; church/school serve as shelter and FEMA center
- 2004 (March 17): Church rededicated after reconstruction
- 2005: Pavilion built
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Mary's is currently served by Rev. Sanoop (Sanu) Thomas, OSB, who was appointed Parochial Administrator effective July 1, 2025, succeeding Rev. Matthew Rehrauer after Father Rehrauer's 33 years of priestly ministry and service to the parish. The parish and school offices are staffed by an Office Manager (Claire Eaton), an Administrative Assistant in the Rectory (Christine Thomas), an Administrative Assistant in the School (Gina Debes), and a Director of Religious Education (Jenifer Graves).
- Rev. Sanoop (Sanu) Thomas, OSB — Parochial Administrator (since July 1, 2025)
- Rev. Matthew Rehrauer — Pastor Emeritus (retired June 30, 2025 after 33 years)
- Claire Eaton — Office Manager (ext. 101)
- Christine Thomas — Administrative Assistant, Rectory
- Gina Debes — Administrative Assistant, School
- Jenifer Graves — DRE (Director of Religious Education)
St. Mary's Catholic School (PreK–8)
St. Mary's Catholic School has served families since 1885, when the first parochial classes were held in a farmhouse seven miles south of town. The school moved to its current location on the parish campus in 1968, when the present rectory, school and parish hall were all built. Today the school offers preschool through 8th grade with a mission to develop self-motivated lifelong learners who are responsible, contributing members of their churches and communities. Parishioner tuition rates are available to registered parishioner families who attend weekly Mass and submit a collection envelope. Students use the Pierce City school district bus for pickup and drop-off, and the school cafeteria provides daily prepared lunches.
- Preschool (3-year-olds): Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
- Pre-Kindergarten (4-year-olds): Wednesday & Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
- Kindergarten — Teresa Hopper
- 1st & 2nd Grade
- 3rd & 4th Grade — Judy Younker
- 5th & 6th Grade — Sierrah Summers
- 7th & 8th Grade (Part-Time) — Susan Salsman (Principal) and Cheryl Murphy
- Special Teachers: Music (Sally Heidlage), PE (Todd Schubert), Art (Glo Abramovitz), Computers (Julie Witt), Library (Jodi Schlup)
- School Office: (417) 476-2824
- Parishioner Status: requires weekly Mass attendance and submission of a collection envelope
- Lunch: $3.00/day (reduced/free lunches through DESE)
- Bus service via Pierce City school district available
- Bright Futures Fund scholarships available (Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau)
- SCRIP gift card fundraising program
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Mary's is offered through the parish school (PreK–8) and the Parish School Religion (PSR) program for K–12 students, held on Sundays after Mass throughout the school year. An Adult Formation Class also meets after Sunday Mass and has hosted series such as 'My Father's Father.' The parish Pastoral Plan identifies four working committees — Youth Formation, Adult Formation, Outreach, and Liturgy/Prayer — each with 5–10 volunteers meeting every other month to foster ongoing spiritual renewal.
- PSR — Sunday after Mass (K–12)
- Adult Formation Class — Sunday after Mass
- Youth Formation Committee
- Adult Formation Committee
- RCIA / Adult Faith Formation (inquiry into the Catholic faith)
- Confirmation preparation
- First Communion / First Eucharist preparation
- Sacramental preparation for Baptism and Marriage
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Parish life at St. Mary's is shaped by a network of councils, committees, and lay organizations. The Pastoral Council (President Adam Boman) guides spiritual renewal; the Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) organizes fellowship and service; the Knights of Columbus (Grand Knight Andy Parrigon) spearheads fundraisers; the School Board oversees Catholic education; and dedicated committees handle finances, the annual picnic, and the parish cemeteries. Liturgical ministries include Choir, Ushers, Servers, Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, and the announcement reader at Mass.
- Pastoral Council — Adam Boman, President
- Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) — Bonnie Parrigon, President
- Knights of Columbus — Andy Parrigon, Grand Knight (meetings 1st Wednesday monthly; Lenten Fish Fry, Free Throw Contest, 5th Sunday Breakfasts, Tootsie Roll Drive)
- St. Mary's School Board — Darren Brown, President
- Finance Committee — Joe Crowell, President
- Picnic Committee — Mellanie Carder, Chair
- St. Mary's & St. Patrick's Cemetery Committee — Richard Cochran, President
- Liturgical ministries: Choir, Ushers, Servers, Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Announcements
Sacraments
St. Mary's celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptisms, weddings, First Communion, Confirmation, and Anointing of the Sick are arranged through the parish office; preparation programs are available for parents, couples, and candidates. The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is offered 30 minutes before most Masses and by appointment. Adult faith formation and RCIA are available for those inquiring about the Catholic faith.
- Baptism — by arrangement with the parish office
- First Holy Communion / First Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Marriage / Weddings — preparation required
- Anointing of the Sick — on request
- Confession / Reconciliation — 30 min before Mass or by appointment
- RCIA / Adult Initiation
Cemetery
St. Mary's operates a parish cemetery in Pierce City through a Cemetery Committee that also oversees St. Patrick's Cemetery. The committee handles grounds, records, and inquiries from families.
- President — Richard Cochran (417) 476-5232
- Vice President — Jim Larkin
- Treasurer — Bonnie Parrigon
- Secretary — Bernice Cochran
- Committee Members — Danny Boman, Dan Witt
Outreach, Charity & Community
St. Mary's has a long tradition of community outreach. The Knights of Columbus runs the Lenten Fish Fry and the Tootsie Roll Drive for people with intellectual disabilities. The parish hosts Mercy Monday community-service projects twice in the spring and twice in the fall, and the parish's Outreach Committee is exploring the creation of a community food pantry and 'adopt a family' sponsorship opportunities. The parish also coordinates rides to Mass and home visits for Holy Communion to the homebound and sick.
- Mercy Monday — community service twice in spring and twice in fall
- Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry
- Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive (intellectual disabilities)
- Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest and 5th Sunday Breakfast
- Parish Outreach Committee (food pantry project, family sponsorship)
- Homebound Ministry — rides to Mass and home Communion visits
- Flocknotes — parish email information chain
Events, Fellowship & Parish Traditions
St. Mary's is well known for its signature Old Fashioned Picnic, held on the first Sunday in June since 1987 and run by a parish Picnic Committee. The school hosts an annual Golf Tournament as a fundraiser (set for June 6, 2026). Monthly Fellowship Gatherings follow both weekend Masses on the second weekend of the month, with cookies/coffee/hot chocolate after Saturday Mass and donuts/coffee after Sunday Mass.
- St. Mary's Old Fashioned Picnic — first Sunday in June (since 1987)
- Annual St. Mary's Golf Tournament — fundraiser for the school
- Monthly Fellowship Gathering — 2nd weekend of month
- Parish School of Religion, Adult Formation, and youth activities throughout the year
- Knights of Columbus Beer Gardens and 5th Sunday Breakfasts
Visiting & Contact
St. Mary's is located at 200 Front Street, Pierce City, Missouri 65723. The Church Office can be reached at (417) 476-2827 and by email at [email protected]. The School Office is at (417) 476-2824. Mass can be tuned in on local radio 88.1 FM for those unable to attend in person.
- Address: 200 Front Street, Pierce City, MO 65723
- Church Office: (417) 476-2827
- School Office: (417) 476-2824
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://stmaryspcmo.com/
- Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
- Radio: 88.1 FM (Mass broadcast)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Matthew RehrauerUntil June 30, 2025
Retired after 33 years of service to the diocese as Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Pierce City, and St. Agnes Parish, Sarcoxie.
- Rev. Sanoop (Sanu) Thomas, OSBEffective July 1, 2025
Appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Mary Parish, Pierce City, and St. Agnes Parish, Sarcoxie; previously Parochial Vicar of Holy Trinity (Aurora), SS. Peter & Paul (Pulaskifield), St. Joseph (Billings), and St. Susanne (Mount Vernon).
- Father Sisbert Burkhard, O.S.B.From 1910
O.S.B. pastor under whom the present Romanesque-style brick church was built and dedicated March 11, 1913.
- Father ThomasFrom 1892
Brought the antique wooden Pietà statue to St. Mary's.