About St. Paul · Fenton, Missouri
St. Paul Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of St. Louis located in Fenton, Missouri, serving the Catholic community of southwest St. Louis County. Founded in 1878 to minister to the small Catholic population of the Fenton area — at a time when most local Catholics still belonged to St. Peter's in Kirkwood — the parish moved to its present site at 15 Forest Knoll Drive in 1959. Today St. Paul is a multi-generational parish family that operates St. Paul Catholic School (preschool through 8th grade), offers daily and Sunday Mass in English, and gathers for weekly Eucharistic Adoration and Saturday confessions.
- Established
- 1878
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. John C. Nickolai
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
St. Paul offers the rhythm of Catholic life that many families are looking for: four Sunday Masses (with an anticipated Saturday Vigil), a daily Mass schedule Monday through Saturday, weekly Saturday confession, and weekly Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration — all right in central Fenton. Families can send their children to the on-site St. Paul Catholic School (preschool through 8th grade) with its own Mothers Club and Athletic Association, and adult faith formation is led by a dedicated Director of Faith Formation. Two priests and two permanent deacons shepherd a parish whose stated mission is to live generously the love of God through worship, prayer, and charitable deeds.
Mass times at St. Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM (some parish sources list 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
About St. Paul Catholic Church
St. Paul is a Catholic parish in Fenton, Missouri, in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, founded in 1878 to serve the local Catholic community of southwest St. Louis County. The parish is now located at 15 Forest Knoll Drive (moved to this site in 1959) and offers four Sunday Masses, daily Mass Monday through Saturday, weekly confession, and weekly Eucharistic Adoration. Its stated parish mission is: 'Nourished by the Eucharist, the parish family of St. Paul Catholic Church strives to live generously the Love of God poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Aided by His Grace, we long to live lives of worship, prayer and charitable deeds to advance the Kingdom of God.'
- Founded 1878 in Fenton, Missouri
- Current parish site at 15 Forest Knoll Drive since 1959
- Parish Mission Statement rooted in the Eucharist and the Holy Spirit
History
The Fenton area's first Catholic settlers were French families from Canada and New Orleans who originally belonged to the parish of Carondelet, then later to St. Peter's in Kirkwood. By 1878 the local Catholic population was large enough to form its own parish — St. Paul's in Fenton — making the parish one of the older Catholic institutions in the area. After eight decades in its original home, the parish relocated in 1959 to its present location at 15 Forest Knoll Drive, where the present church and parish complex were built to serve the growing community.
- 1878 — Parish founded
- 1959 — Parish moves to 15 Forest Knoll Drive
- 2023 — Father John C. Nickolai appointed pastor
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by two priests and two permanent deacons, as listed on the Archdiocese of St. Louis parish page.
- Rev. John C. Nickolai — Pastor (appointed 2023, previously pastor of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, Florissant)
- Rev. Mark G. Whitman — Senior Associate Pastor (appointed 2023)
- Deacon James Bohnert — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Anthony Shipp — Permanent Deacon
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the usual sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church — Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Baptism, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick — through the parish office. Confirmation preparation is coordinated through the parish school and the Faith Formation office.
- Mass and Reconciliation (see Mass Times section)
- Baptism — contact parish office
- Marriage preparation — contact parish office
- Confirmation preparation
- Funerals and Memorial Masses
St. Paul Catholic School
St. Paul Catholic School is the parish school, located a short distance from the church at 465 New Smizer Mill Road, Fenton, MO 63026. It serves preschool through 8th grade, with a team of classroom teachers, specialty teachers (computer, art, music, PE), and learning consultants. The school office can be reached at 636-343-4333, and the parish office at 636-343-1234.
- Preschool program with multiple classrooms
- Kindergarten through 8th grade
- Principal: Mrs. Debbie McCaslin
- Director of Faith Formation: Mrs. Sandy Reynolds
- Specialty teachers in computer, art, music, and PE
- Learning consultants and math interventionist on staff
- Kids Club before- and after-school care
- Athletic Association and Mothers Club
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Paul is led by Mrs. Sandy Reynolds, the Director of Faith Formation, who supports sacramental preparation (including Confirmation) for parish children and works with the school to integrate catechesis into parish life. Families can register for religious education through the school or the parish office.
- Director of Faith Formation: Mrs. Sandy Reynolds
- Confirmation preparation program
- Religious education connected to St. Paul Catholic School
Parish Life & Ministries
Parish life at St. Paul extends well beyond Sunday Mass. The community supports a parish school, youth and athletic programs, a Mothers Club, and a Kids Club before- and after-school care program, all of which are visible on the parish and school websites and Facebook pages.
- St. Paul Youth Group
- St. Paul Athletic Association
- St. Paul Fenton Mothers Club
- Kids Club (before- and after-school care)
- St. Paul Catholic School Uniform Swap & Sell
- St. Paul Spirit Wear / School Sweatshirts
Visit, Contact & Practical Info
The parish office is open at 15 Forest Knoll Drive, Fenton, MO 63026, and can be reached by phone or email. The school operates separately at 465 New Smizer Mill Road, Fenton, MO 63026. Mass is livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.
- Parish address: 15 Forest Knoll Dr, Fenton, MO 63026
- Parish phone: (636) 343-1234
- Parish fax: (636) 343-4809
- School address: 465 New Smizer Mill Rd, Fenton, MO 63026
- School phone: 636-343-4333
- Livestream Masses at bit.ly/stpfenton
- Online giving via giving.archstl.org (St. Paul Fenton)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Kevin G. Callahanuntil 2023
Reassigned in 2023 to Seven Holy Founders Parish, Affton, as senior associate pastor.
- Rev. John C. Nickolai2023–present
Appointed pastor of St. Paul, Fenton in 2023, previously pastor of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, Florissant.
- Rev. Mark G. Whitman2023–present
Appointed senior associate pastor in 2023, previously part-time senior associate at St. Robert Bellarmine and St. Cletus in St. Charles.