About St. Patrick · Wentzville, Missouri
St. Patrick Church is a Catholic parish in Wentzville, Missouri, in St. Charles County, belonging to the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Founded in 1882 as a mission of Montgomery City, it has grown from a handful of families into a parish of roughly 2,500 families served by two priests and two permanent deacons. The parish runs an on-site Catholic elementary school (Preschool through Grade 8) and a Parish School of Religion (PSR) for public-school children, and it offers daily and weekend Masses in English, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, a Reconciliation schedule, and a broad slate of ministries and parish events. Its mission statement — 'Forming Disciples, Leading All to Christ' — and its patron, St. Patrick, the fifth-century missionary to Ireland, shape its identity.
- Established
- 1882
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel Shaughnessy (Pastor)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
St. Patrick offers a complete Catholic life in one parish community: weekend and daily Mass in English, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in a 24/7 Adoration Chapel, weekly Reconciliation, an on-site Catholic grade school (Preschool–8) with tuition assistance, and a Parish School of Religion for public-school children preparing for Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Parishioners can plug into dozens of ministries — Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Pro-Life, Jonah Prayer Ministry, Prayer Warriors for Priests, Grief Support, Quilters, Mom's Group, youth ministry, and more — and into beloved annual traditions like the Beef & Cabbage Dinner, Fall Festival, K of C Fish Frys, and Quilt Bingo. Rooted in the faith of a parish founded in 1882 by immigrant Catholic families and now serving roughly 2,500 families, St. Patrick is a place where newcomers are welcomed and long-standing families continue to grow together.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 4:00 PM
- Monday: 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 7:00 AM
- Thursday: 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 4:00 PM
- Or by appointment — call the Parish Office at 636-332-9225 (Fr. Dan Ext. 226, Fr. Joe Ext. 282). Confessionals are on the southeast wall behind the pews.
Adoration times
- Sunday: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM (Adoration Chapel)
- Monday – Friday: 12:00 AM – 11:59 PM (Adoration Chapel)
- Saturday: 12:00 AM – 7:00 AM (Adoration Chapel)
- Chapel open 24/7 for private prayer (door code required; call the office). No Exposition on holidays.
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Patrick Parish exists to form disciples and lead all to Christ, as expressed in its tagline 'Forming Disciples, Leading All to Christ.' The parish's formal mission statement reads: 'Impelled by the love of Christ, with St. Patrick as our patron, we, the Parish Family of St. Patrick, are called to create a welcoming home for all who seek to know Christ in His loving body, the Church.' Drawing inspiration from the humble, fearless faith of St. Patrick, the parish sees itself as 'ALIVE and GROWING IN JESUS' NAME' and asks his intercession for its continued growth.
Parish History
The parish traces its roots to the 1870s as a mission of Montgomery City served along the Wabash railroad. The perseverance of founding families — including the Posts, Reineckes, and Mispagels — and 15 trips to St. Louis convinced Archbishop Kenrick to authorize a Catholic church and school in Wentzville. Bishop Patrick J. Ryan formally dedicated St. Patrick Parish on September 15, 1882. Father Peter Byrne became the first resident pastor in 1905, Father John Kretcher opened the parish school in 1909, and the present church was dedicated September 27, 1987. Over the decades the parish has been served by 16 pastors, its first associate pastors, three permanent deacons, and 60–70 Sisters of the Most Precious Blood.
- 1882: Parish dedicated by Bishop Patrick J. Ryan
- 1905: Father Peter Byrne becomes first resident pastor
- 1909: Parish school opens under Father John Kretcher
- 1986–87: Present church built and dedicated by Archbishop John L. May
- Today: ~2,500 families served
Worship & Liturgy
The parish celebrates Mass in English throughout the week in its 1987 church, with livestreamed daily and Sunday Masses for those at home. The worship space is fan-shaped with a marble altar lit by a skylight, a crucifix donated by Bishop Edward Rice, and a sculpture of the Holy Family by Rudy Torrini. A 575+ pipe custom organ, voiced in Illinois and reassembled in the church, supports the parish's musical liturgy.
- Weekend Vigil: Saturday 5:00 PM
- Sunday Masses: 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 AM, 5:00 PM, 8:00 PM
- Daily Mass: Monday–Friday 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM; Saturday 8:00 AM
- Holy Day and Christmas schedules published in the bulletin
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Daniel Shaughnessy and Associate Pastor Rev. Joseph Detwiler, assisted by Permanent Deacons Kirk Lackas and Pat Rankin. A rectory and school staff support parish operations, faith formation, youth ministry, evangelization, communications, and maintenance.
- Rev. Daniel Shaughnessy — Pastor (Ext. 226, [email protected])
- Rev. Joseph Detwiler — Associate Pastor (Ext. 282, [email protected])
- Deacon Kirk Lackas
- Deacon Pat Rankin
- Jill Gould — School Principal
- Betsey Schnettgoecke — Assistant School Principal
- Rachel Henry — Pastoral Associate
- Vince Doder — Business Manager
- Sean Feltz — Mission and Identity Director
- Tess Tiemeyer & Mary Grace Angeli — Youth Ministers
- Cyndi Barclay — Evangelization Director
- Sarah Norton — Office Manager / SCRIP Coordinator
- Holly Sanders — Communications
- Mike Doyel — Maintenance Supervisor
- Russ Henke — Parish Council President
- Melissa Olexa — Marriage Coordinator
St. Patrick Catholic School
St. Patrick Catholic School is a parish elementary school serving Preschool through Grade 8 at 701 S. Church Street, sharing a campus with the church. The school day runs 7:45 AM to 3:00 PM, with morning care opening at 6:45 AM and doors opening at 7:15 AM. The school offers tuition assistance through the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation (TTEF), Beyond Sunday Scholarships, Catholic Families Tuition Assistance (CFTA), and the Parish Employees Endowment Fund (PEEF).
- Preschool – Grade 8 on the parish campus
- School day 7:45 AM – 3:00 PM
- Morning Care opens 6:45 AM
- Phone: 636-332-9913; Fax: 636-887-2065
- Registration fees: $200 (1 child) to $350 (4 children)
- Tuition assistance through TTEF and parish programs
Parish School of Religion (PSR)
PSR provides weekly catechetical instruction for children in Grades 1–8 who attend public schools, meeting on Wednesday evenings in the St. Patrick School building with two session options. The program prepares students for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist (Grade 2) and Confirmation (Grades 7–8) and emphasizes parent involvement, including required parent meetings.
- Session A: Wednesdays 5:00–6:15 PM
- Session B: Wednesdays 6:45–8:00 PM
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist preparation in Grade 2
- Confirmation is a two-year process in Grades 7–8
- PSR staff: Molly Hottovy (Coordinator of Religious Education, ext. 1451, [email protected]) and Margo Kelble (Administrative Assistant, ext. 1452, [email protected])
Ministries & Groups
St. Patrick encourages every parishioner to serve in ministry, presenting itself as the hands, feet, and eyes of Christ in the world. Ministries are organized into prayer, outreach, parish life, youth, and annual fundraising events, and training is provided for liturgical roles such as Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Lector, Usher, and Greeter.
- Prayer: Prayer Ministry, Jonah Prayer Ministry, Prayer Warriors for Priests, Prayer Tree, Prayer Blankets
- Parish Life: Knights of Columbus, Home & School Association, Mom's Group, Quilters, Crocheters, Bucket Brigade Cleaning
- Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul Society, Birthright, Caring & Sharing, Adopt-A-Family, Thrift Shop, Blood Donation, Pro-Life Ministry
- Bereavement: Grief Support
- Liturgical: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Ushers, Greeters
- Youth: Youth Ministry, Rescue '25'
- Formation: PSR Catechists, The Search (evangelization), Eucharistic Adoration
Annual Parish Events & Fundraisers
The parish's social calendar is rich and rooted in long-standing traditions that bring the wider Wentzville community onto the campus throughout the year, raising funds that support parish and school operations.
- Beef & Cabbage Dinner
- Dinner Auction
- Junktique Sale
- Paper Shredding
- Fall Festival & E-Raffle
- K of C Chicken Dinners
- Horse Races
- Quilt Bingo
- K of C Fish Frys
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
Information about the seven sacraments is accessible through the parish, including preparation programs for children (through PSR) and adults, and a dedicated marriage coordinator. The parish urges families to notify the office whenever anyone is seriously ill so that sacraments can be administered in good time.
- Baptism — preparation for parents; contact the parish office
- Eucharist & Reconciliation — 2nd-grade sacramental preparation through PSR
- Confirmation — 2-year process through PSR
- Marriage — contact Marriage Coordinator Melissa Olexa ([email protected])
- Anointing of the Sick — call the parish office; after hours press 7
Visiting, Contact & Office Hours
Parish office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–4:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM. The office is closed on weekends and holidays, but the chapel is open 24/7 for prayer (door code required). Sacramental emergencies after hours are reached by calling 636-332-9225 and pressing 7.
- Address: 405 S. Church Street, Wentzville, MO 63385
- Parish phone: 636-332-9225 (Fax 636-887-2055)
- School phone: 636-332-9913 (Fax 636-887-2065)
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–4:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Adoration Chapel door code available from the office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend J. J. Headpre-1882 to mission stage
Traveled the Wabash railroad; celebrated Sunday Mass twice a month in Wentzville in the Masonic building while parishioners made the trip to Josephville other Sundays.
- Father Peter Byrne1905 –
First resident pastor of St. Patrick; lived in the Wentzville Hotel until the parochial residence was built.
- Father John Kretcherafter Fr. Byrne
Succeeded Fr. Byrne; founded the parish school, holding classes in his residence until the school was completed in 1909.
- Reverend Brian Fischeruntil 2023 assignment cycle
Provided pastoral care through the All Things New parish restructuring; remained through May 2023 announcement.
- Reverend David Skillmanthrough 2023
Senior associate pastor named in the May 28, 2023 All Things New announcement.
- Reverend Gerson Parra Mezaassociate pastor until August 1, 2023
Reassigned to Sacred Heart, Florissant, in the All Things New announcement.