About St. Patrick · Jonesburg, Missouri
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a small, family-oriented Roman Catholic parish in Jonesburg, Missouri, in the Diocese of Jefferson City. Founded in 1868 (originally as the Church of the Sacred Heart), it sits just off Interstate 70 and serves the rural community of Jonesburg and surrounding Montgomery County. The parish is currently cared for by Fr. Ernest Dike as parochial administrator and Deacon Ronald Deimeke as Parish Life Collaborator, and is formally associated with Immaculate Conception in Montgomery City and the Wellsville mission. St. Patrick's is known for its warm welcome, lively congregational singing, religious education for all ages, Lenten fish fries, fried chicken dinners, and outreach through the Jonesburg Christian Alliance — and even sponsors the education of children in Africa.
- Established
- 1868
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Ernest Dike (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
St. Patrick's in Jonesburg is a small parish that is 'big in heart,' where visitors are quickly made to feel at home. Sunday Mass at 8:00 a.m. features a congregation that the parish itself describes as alive in prayer and singing, and the community offers religious education for all ages, a Wednesday weekday Mass, monthly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and the sacraments of reconciliation (Sundays at 7:15 a.m. or by appointment) and the Eucharist. Beyond the church doors, St. Patrick's is woven into the wider community through the Jonesburg Christian Alliance, its famous Lenten fish fries and fried chicken dinners, fundraisers for local children in need, and sponsorship of education for children in Africa.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 7:15 AM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Every 3rd Wednesday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Welcome & Parish Mission
St. Patrick's describes itself as 'a warm welcoming loving community, small in size, but big in heart.' The parish's stated mission is: 'As a Church community, we want to know, love, and serve Jesus in our educational efforts, worship, social service, and stewardship of resources.' Visitors are warmly invited to come in person to experience the parish's hospitality firsthand.
Parish History
Organized in 1868 and originally called the Church of the Sacred Heart, St. Patrick's has been a fixture of Catholic life in Jonesburg and Montgomery County for more than 150 years. The Diocese of Jefferson City notes that from its inception, the parish has 'had the outstanding ability to build community spirit,' making parishioners 'a true family and home for all who come.' The parish's story is recorded in 'Proclaiming the Good News in the Heart of Missouri' by Loretta Pastva, SND.
- Founded: 1868
- Original name: Church of the Sacred Heart
- Source for history: Proclaiming the Good News in the Heart of Missouri by Loretta Pastva, SND
- Former pastor of note: Msgr. Francis O'Duignan (d. 1991)
- Former pastor of note: Msgr. Gregory L. Higley, V.F.
Clergy & Staff
The parish is presently led by Fr. Ernest Dike, a priest of the Diocese of Orlu, Nigeria (ordained 2005), who serves as parochial administrator. He also serves as parochial administrator of the associated Immaculate Conception parish in Montgomery City. Assisting him is Deacon Ronald Deimeke as Parish Life Collaborator.
- Rev. Ernest Dike — Parochial Administrator; ordained 2005, Diocese of Orlu, Nigeria; email [email protected]
- Deacon Ronald Deimeke — Parish Life Collaborator
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish puts a great deal of energy into its religious education program, which is open to learners of all ages. The parish sees formation as a continuation of the community's wider call to 'know, love, and serve Jesus' in its educational efforts, alongside worship, social service, and stewardship.
- Religious education sessions available for all ages
Parish Life, Fellowship & Fundraisers
St. Patrick's is known for a vibrant social and fundraising life that reaches well beyond the parish itself. The parish hosts Lenten fish fries every Friday (except Good Friday), fried chicken dinners, and other events that are open to the wider community. Money raised supports parish life, helps needy children in the local community, and — in a spirit of global solidarity — sponsors the education of children in Africa.
- Lenten Fish Fry — every Friday in Lent (except Good Friday); lunch 11 AM–1 PM, dinner 4 PM–7 PM
- Fried chicken dinners
- Fundraisers for needy children in the community
- Sponsorship of education for children in Africa
- Jonesburg Christian Alliance outreach (ecumenical)
Devotions & Annual Traditions
In addition to weekly Mass and monthly adoration, the parish keeps the older Catholic springtime tradition of the May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a devotion in which a crown of flowers is placed on an image or statue of Mary.
- Eucharistic Adoration (3rd Wednesday of each month)
- May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Associated Parishes & Deanery
St. Patrick's is grouped with neighboring Catholic parishes to share clergy and resources. It is part of the Central Deanery of the Diocese of Jefferson City, located in Montgomery County.
- Associated parish: Immaculate Conception, Montgomery City
- Associated mission: Wellsville
- Deanery: Central
- County: Montgomery
Visit, Contact & Location
The parish office can be reached by phone at (636) 488-5623 or by email at [email protected]. The church is located at 505 1st Street in Jonesburg, MO 63351, in close proximity to Interstate 70 — making it accessible both to local parishioners and to travelers passing through central Missouri.
- Address: 505 1st St, Jonesburg, MO 63351
- Phone: (636) 488-5623
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stpatricksjonesburg.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/p/St-Patrick-Catholic-Church-Jonesburg-MO-100020528756226/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Francis O'Duignan
Former pastor of St. Patrick, Jonesburg; died 1991 (remembered in the Diocese of Jefferson City's annual prayer calendar for deceased priests).
- Msgr. Gregory L. Higley, V.F.
Listed in parish directory services as Canonical Pastor of the Jonesburg-associated parishes.