About St. Mary · Saint Elmo, Illinois
St. Mary's of the Immaculate Conception is a small rural Catholic mission parish in Saint Elmo, Illinois, established in 1904 and now served as part of the Tri-Parish community alongside St. Clare in Altamont and St. Anne in Edgewood. Located in Fayette County on East Cumberland Road, it faithfully serves the surrounding agricultural community of central Illinois with a Saturday Vigil Mass and a Tuesday evening weekday Mass. The current brick church and parish hall, dedicated in 1969, anchor a parish family known for its seasonal dinners, picnics, and holiday celebrations.
- Established
- 1904
- Patron
- Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Rev. Ron Maldo Lorilla
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Why belong here
St. Mary's offers the warmth of a small, close-knit rural Catholic community in Fayette County, where families know one another and gather year-round for seasonal dinners, picnics, and holiday celebrations. As part of the Tri-Parish of St. Clare, St. Mary, and St. Anne, members benefit from a shared pastor (Fr. Ron Lorilla), a tri-parish PSR/faith-formation program for the parish's children, and the sacramental life of the wider community. It is a place to grow in faith, raise a family, and live out Catholic tradition in a devoted, family-friendly setting.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 3rd Saturday: 4:45 – 5:15 p.m.
- By appointment any time (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Adoration offered on special occasions — check the bulletin or contact the parish office
Welcome to St. Mary's of the Immaculate Conception
St. Mary's of the Immaculate Conception, established in 1904 in St. Elmo, is a thriving parish community rooted in faith and fellowship, celebrating a legacy of devotion and unity. As one of three churches in the Tri-Parish grouping, St. Mary's offers its members a small, close-knit rural Catholic home while drawing on the wider sacramental and pastoral resources of the cluster.
Our History
St. Mary's of the Immaculate Conception in St. Elmo has a rich history dating back to 1904. Originally a mission church of St. Clare in Altamont, it grew from its humble beginnings into the vibrant parish it is today. The current brick church and hall, dedicated in 1969, stand as a testament to the dedication and faith of its community. St. Mary's families gather year-round for faith-filled activities, including seasonal dinners, picnics, and holiday celebrations, fostering fellowship and strengthening their bond as a parish family.
- Founded 1904 as a mission of St. Clare, Altamont
- Current brick church and hall dedicated 1969
- Year-round seasonal dinners, picnics, and holiday celebrations
Meet the Pastor — Fr. Ron Lorilla
Fr. Ron Maldo Lorilla was ordained on May 27, 2017 for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Born December 16, 1979, he began his vocational journey in the Philippines, where he worked as a market researcher and lay missionary before answering the call to the priesthood. After completing his seminary formation in St. Louis, he served as Parochial Vicar at St. Anthony of Padua, Effingham (with Annunciation, Shumway) and Blessed Sacrament, Springfield, and as Parochial Administrator of parishes in New Berlin, Alexander, Franklin, and Waverly, while also serving as chaplain at Jacksonville State Correctional Facility. He was appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Clare, St. Mary, and St. Anne in 2023, and became Pastor of the tri-parish in 2024.
- Ordained: May 27, 2017
- Parochial Vicar: St. Anthony of Padua, Effingham / Annunciation, Shumway (2017–2018)
- Parochial Vicar: Blessed Sacrament, Springfield (2018–2020)
- Parochial Administrator: parishes in New Berlin, Alexander, Franklin, and Waverly (2020–2023)
- Chaplain: Jacksonville State Correctional Facility (2020–2023)
- Parochial Administrator: St. Clare, St. Mary, St. Anne (2023–2024)
- Pastor: St. Clare, St. Mary, St. Anne (2024–present)
- Email: [email protected]
Parish Staff
St. Mary's is staffed through the tri-parish office in Altamont.
- Pastor: Rev. Ron Maldo Lorilla
- PSR Coordinator: Katie Bauer
- Administrative Assistant: Jill Koester
Sacraments
The tri-parish celebrates the seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. PSR preparation is required for First Communion and Confirmation.
- Baptism — preparation class with Fr. Ron required; parents must be registered parishioners
- First Holy Eucharist — 3rd graders with at least one year of PSR
- Confirmation — 3rd graders with at least one year of PSR
- Reconciliation — scheduled times plus by appointment
- Holy Matrimony — contact Fr. Ron at least 6 months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick — call the parish office; emergencies call 618-483-5346
- Holy Orders — contact the parish office or Diocese of Springfield for discernment support
Parish Ministries & Community Life
St. Mary's is part of the wider Tri-Parish community life, which includes faith formation for children and teens, women's groups, and seasonal fellowship events that draw the three parishes together.
- Tri-Parish PSR / Parish School of Religion
- Teen Ministry (tri-parish)
- St. Mary's Council of Catholic Women (meets 1st Tuesday each month)
- Volunteer and outreach programs across the tri-parish
- Seasonal dinners, picnics, and holiday celebrations
Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
St. Mary's belongs to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, and is listed in the diocesan parish directory as a mission parish at E. Cumberland Rd / Route 40, St. Elmo, IL 62458.
- Diocese: Springfield in Illinois
- Diocesan parish directory entry: dio.org/view/parish-directory
- Tri-parish office (St. Clare): 216 N. 9th Street, Altamont, IL 62411 — (618) 483-9709
Centennial Capital Campaign 2025–2027
The Tri-Parish of St. Clare, St. Mary, and St. Anne is undertaking a three-year Centennial Capital Campaign from May 2025 through July 2027 to support the shared mission and facilities of the three parishes.
- Campaign window: May 2025 – July 2027
- Scope: Tri-Parish of St. Clare, St. Mary, and St. Anne
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Ron Maldo Lorilla2023–present
Parochial Administrator of St. Clare, St. Mary, and St. Anne 2023–2024; Pastor of the same tri-parish grouping from 2024. Ordained May 27, 2017 for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois; previously served at St. Anthony of Padua Effingham, Blessed Sacrament Springfield, and as Administrator of parishes in New Berlin, Alexander, Franklin, and Waverly.