About St. Michael · Cabool, Missouri
St. Michael Mission Church is a small Roman Catholic mission located in Cabool, Texas County, in the southern Missouri Ozarks, at 525 Pine Street. It is the oldest existing mission church in the Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau, with Catholic roots in the area dating back to German settlers who arrived from White Church as early as 1852. Although the mission serves only about 25 households (roughly 40 baptized Catholics), its attendance swells with visitors, hunters, and vacationers who pass through the Ozarks each year. Its "Mother Church" is Sacred Heart Parish in Mountain Grove, and it is currently served by a priest from the Springfield area, with day-to-day operations handled by a parish life coordinator and the parishioners themselves. The present church building was constructed in 1971.
- Established
- c. 1852 (Catholic presence); mission established late 19th century; present church built 1971
- Patron
- St. Michael (the Archangel)
- Rector
- Rev. Rayappa Chinnabathini
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau
Why belong here
St. Michael is a tight-knit rural Catholic community in the heart of the Missouri Ozarks, ideal for visitors, hunters, and travelers who find a welcoming small mission on their journeys. Because it is the oldest existing mission church in the Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau, it offers a tangible link to the German-Catholic pioneer heritage of the region. Parishioners and a parish life coordinator handle the day-to-day life of the mission together with a priest who serves the cluster from outside the community, making it a place where every member's contribution matters.
History
St. Michael's is the oldest existing mission church in the Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau. Its story begins with German Catholic settlers who arrived at White Church as early as 1852 and gradually migrated into the Cabool area. Catholics were originally ministered to from St. Joseph in White Church, and for many years had no church building of their own.
- Pre-church worship: in a Main Street hall, which was destroyed by fire.
- After the fire: liturgies moved to the home of Henry Hengel on Pine Street.
- August 1, 1885: the marriage of Henry Hengel to Mary Bauch took place in the Hengel home.
- First purpose-built church: a simple rectangular structure, later expanded with a bell tower and sacristy.
- 1971: the present St. Michael Mission Church was built and remains in use today.
Parish Life & Cluster
St. Michael functions as a mission within a pastoral cluster served by a priest based outside Cabool. Sacred Heart Parish in Mountain Grove is identified as the mission's 'Mother Church.'
- Mother Church: Sacred Heart Parish, Mountain Grove, MO.
- Cluster parishes served by the same priest: St. Mark Parish, Houston, MO; St. John the Baptist Mission Church, Licking, MO.
- Day-to-day running of the mission is handled by a parish life coordinator and parishioners.
Contact & Location
The mission is located in the Ozarks town of Cabool, Texas County, Missouri. Mail for the parish is routed through St. Mark Parish in Houston.
- Address: 525 Pine St., Cabool, MO (corner of Pine St. & Ozark St.).
- Mailing address: St. Mark Parish, 117 E South Oak Crest Dr., Houston, MO 65483.
- Phone: (417) 967-3589.
Community & Visitors
Although only about 25 households (around 40 baptized Catholics) make up the regular parish community, the mission regularly welcomes visitors, hunters, and vacationers traveling through the southern Missouri Ozarks.
- A small but active rural Catholic community.
- Welcoming to visitors passing through the Ozarks region.
- Mass times and devotions: please call the parish office for the current schedule.