About St. Mary · Pontiac, Illinois
St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pontiac, Illinois, is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Peoria that traces its roots to the first Mass said in Pontiac in July 1857. It was formally established in 1866 when a small group of mostly Irish Catholic settlers bought and converted a Methodist church, and the current brick church has served the community since 1887. Today it is the spiritual home for more than 900 registered families, with an attached preschool through 8th-grade Catholic school, a perpetual adoration chapel (the first in the diocese, begun 1983), a cemetery, and a robust network of parish organizations.
- Established
- 1866
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (parish name: St. Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Robert Rayson
- Diocese
- Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
St. Mary's combines more than 165 years of Catholic tradition in Pontiac with an unusually active parish life: a preschool-through-Grade-8 Catholic school, the first perpetual adoration chapel in the Diocese of Peoria (since 1983), a daily-Mass schedule with multiple weekly confession opportunities, and more than a dozen active organizations including the Knights of Columbus, Women's Guild, Legion of Mary, Christ Child Society, Martha's Ministry bereavement group, and the parish food pantry serving all of Livingston County. With more than 900 registered families and a pastor and parochial vicar supported by three permanent deacons, it offers a small-town Catholic community that is large enough to serve every age and need.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 6:30–6:50 a.m.
- Tuesday: 5:00–5:15 p.m.
- Wednesday: 12:00–1:00 p.m. (noon hour)
- Saturday: 3:45–4:45 p.m.
- By appointment — call (815) 844-7683
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (around-the-clock), begun February 2, 1983 — the first perpetual adoration program in the Diocese of Peoria
Parish Identity and Mission
St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pontiac, Illinois, is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Peoria. The parish describes itself as committed to inviting and supporting every parishioner to become a disciple of Christ and to finding 'not just a place, but a family.' It serves more than 900 registered families in the Livingston County seat and is currently led by Pastor Rev. Robert Rayson with Parochial Vicar Rev. John Bazimenyera and three permanent deacons.
Our History
The parish traces its origins to the first Mass said in Pontiac by Fr. Michael Hurley in July 1857. Catholics — mostly of Irish descent — were served by visiting priests in private homes until 1866, when the congregation bought the local Methodist church for $2,000 and adapted it. A new brick church was begun in 1882 and dedicated November 27, 1887. The 1930s brought a major Gothic-style enlargement under Fr. Thomas Shea; the mid-20th century added a school, convent, and cemetery land; and the late 20th and early 21st centuries brought Perpetual Adoration (1983), a permanent diaconate (2002), the 2008 parish hall/gym facility, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium, and the 2020 opening of Little Disciples Preschool.
- 1857 — First Mass in Pontiac, in a private home
- 1866 — Methodist church purchased and converted to St. Mary's
- 1872 — St. Mary's Cemetery begun (deeded to Diocese of Peoria 1879)
- 1877 — Diocese of Peoria erected; Fr. Finch appointed first resident pastor
- 1887 — Current brick church dedicated (Nov. 27)
- 1932 — Fr. Thomas Shea begins pastorate; 1930s transepts and marble altars added
- 1948 — Fr. John T. Shields begins 26-year pastorate
- 1958 — Current school built (cornerstone May 18)
- 1963 — New convent chapel blessed (Aug. 22)
- 1983 — Perpetual Adoration (Feb. 2) and Food Pantry (Mar. 17) launched
- 1998 — Msgr. Thomas Mack becomes ninth resident pastor
- 2002 — First permanent deacons ordained in Pontiac Vicariate
- 2008 — Parish Hall/Gym dedicated by Bishop Jenky (Jan. 12)
- 2016 — 150th anniversary celebrated
- 2020 — Little Disciples Preschool opens in renovated parish hall space
- 2025 — Fr. Robert Rayson named pastor; Fr. John Bazimenyera parochial vicar
Church Building and Architecture
The brick church that stands today was dedicated November 27, 1887, after a five-year construction funded largely by local subscriptions. Its Gothic lines were preserved through a major 1930s renovation that added transepts, three Brocatello-Sienna marble altars, oak pews for 650, new entrances, a heating plant, modern lighting, and stained-glass windows. Major sanctuary restorations followed in the late 1990s and early 2000s under Msgr. Thomas Mack, and the parish bell 'St. Mary' was electrified in 1977 by Msgr. O'Dea, ringing again for the first time on Christmas Eve that year.
St. Mary's Catholic School
St. Mary's Catholic School has operated since 1903 and is housed at 414 N. Main Street, Pontiac. The current school building's cornerstone was blessed on May 18, 1958, with 271 students enrolled in grades 1–8 on opening day (September 8, 1958) under seven sisters and one lay teacher. A major 2007/2008 addition brought a parish hall, new kitchen, meeting room, larger kindergarten room, and a full-size gym, dedicated by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C., on January 12, 2008. The school now serves preschool through Grade 8 under Principal Mrs. Karen Jones, with a school-wide motto of 'Strive for excellence; never settle for mediocrity.'
- Preschool through Grade 8
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Atrium) — expanded to PreK through Grade 5 by 2024
- Little Disciples Preschool — opened August 2020 in the renovated former Parish Hall space
- Principal: Mrs. Karen Jones
Parish Organizations and Ministries
The parish lists more than a dozen active organizations, with named lay leaders and regular meeting times. From Catholic men's service (Knights of Columbus) and Marian devotion (Legion of Mary) to bereavement support (Martha's Ministry) and a parish-wide Food Pantry, opportunities to serve span all ages and stages of life.
- Knights of Columbus — 2nd Thursday, 7 p.m.; Grand Knight: Nick Ehrgott
- Women's Guild — 3rd Tuesday in Feb/May/Sept/Nov, 7 p.m., Parish Hall; President: Margaret Stamm
- Legion of Mary — Thursday evenings, 7 p.m., Parish Center
- Christ Child Society of Central Illinois — Pontiac Sewing Circle, 2nd & 4th Thursday, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m., St. Mary's Hall
- St. Mary's Food Pantry (formerly St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry) — open Thursdays 12–3 p.m.; Board President: Mike Haag
- Martha's Ministry — bereavement support; contact the rectory
- Liturgy Committee — 1st Tuesday of the month; Chair: Bob Kane
- Parish Finance Council — Fr. Rayson, Chris Clement, Paula Corrigan, Danielle Gill, Tammy Johns, Karen Jones, Marie Kane, Nick Milhauser, Mick Peterson, Patti Zehr
Faith Formation and OCIA
Adults interested in the Catholic faith are welcomed into the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA). Through bi-weekly meetings after Labor Day, inquirers explore Catholic belief and practice with no obligation to commit and no charge. The parish also runs the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium for children PreK through Grade 5.
- OCIA — for the unbaptized, baptized non-Catholics, and returning Catholics
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Atrium) — expanded to PreK–Grade 5 by 2024
Outreach: Food Pantry and Christ Child Society
St. Vincent de Paul Society was formed December 7, 1982, and opened the Food Pantry on March 17, 1983, in the former Margaret Brown home. Now renamed St. Mary's Food Pantry and relocated to 401 E. Water Street, the pantry provides food and clothing to families throughout Livingston County on Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. The Christ Child Society Pontiac Sewing Circle provides five or more layettes each month to newborns at OSF Saint James-John W. Albrecht Hospital.
- St. Mary's Food Pantry — 401 E. Water St., (815) 844-3663 (FOOD)
- Christ Child Society — volunteer contact Shari at (815) 419-8620
St. Mary's Cemetery
St. Mary's Cemetery was begun in 1872 through the efforts of Luke Jordan, who arranged for Frank Roach to deed the land to the Diocese of Peoria in 1879 for consideration of maintaining a Catholic cemetery and one dollar. The parish later accepted from the State of Illinois the property used for burials by the Pontiac Correctional Center and purchased additional land at the south end of the cemetery from the American Legion.
Staff, Clergy, and Parish Office
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Robert Rayson and Parochial Vicar Rev. John Bazimenyera, supported by three permanent deacons. Parish office staff includes Secretary Patti Zehr and a team that produces the parish newsletter, 'Voice of St. Mary's' (initiated September 2001). School staff are led by Principal Mrs. Karen Jones.
- Pastor: Rev. Robert Rayson
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. John Bazimenyera
- Permanent Deacons: Ray White, Jim Wallace, George Wagner
- Parish Secretary: Patti Zehr
- School Principal: Karen Jones
- Parish office (rectory): (815) 844-7683
- School office: (815) 844-6585
Gifts of Time and Talent — Getting Involved
Parishioners are invited to share their time and talents through a Volunteer Interest Form on the parish website. Listed opportunities include gardening, cooking/baking, snow removal, serving meals, visiting nursing-home residents or shut-ins, and envelope stuffing — in addition to the standing ministries listed above.
Visit, Register, and Contact
New parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed; Parishioner Registration is available through the parish website. The parish church stands at 119 E. Howard Street, Pontiac, IL 61764; the parish mailing address is PO Box 374, Pontiac, IL 61764. From I-55, take Route 116 East to Howard Street. The school is at 414 N. Main Street. Daily readings, the parish bulletin, and live-streamed Mass are available online.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael Hurley1857
Celebrated the first Mass in Pontiac in a private home.
- Rev. Humphrey Winters Finch1877–
First resident pastor of Pontiac, appointed by Bishop Spalding; oversaw the building of the 1887 brick church.
- Rev. J. H. Cannon
Died 1932.
- Rev. Thomas Shea1932–1948
Led the major 1930s enlargement and Gothic renovation of the church.
- Rev. John T. Shields1948–1974
26 years as pastor; built the 1958 school and 1962/63 convent; expanded the cemetery.
- Rev. Msgr. Joseph J. O'Dea1974–1986
Tuckpointed church, electrified the bell, expanded the cemetery.
- Rev. E. Edward Higgins1986–
New roof, steps, and tuckpointing.
- Rev. Msgr. Thomas Mack1998–2012
Ninth resident pastor; major sanctuary renovation and the 2008 parish hall/gym facility.
- Rev. David Sabel2012–2025
Elevated from parochial vicar; formed the 2015/2018 parish cluster; Vicar Forane 2019.
- Rev. Adam Cesarek2019/2020–
Administrator then Pastor for the cluster parishes.
- Rev. Robert Rayson2025–present
Current pastor; succeeded Fr. Sabel on July 1, 2025.