About St. Peter the Apostle · Joplin, Missouri
St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church is a historic parish in Joplin, Missouri, serving the oldest Catholic community in the city. Founded in 1877, it worships in a striking Gothic Revival church built of Carthage stone between 1905 and 1907, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau and is led today by Father Brian J. Straus. Beyond the Sunday and weekday Mass schedule, the parish runs a Parish School of Religion (PSR), sponsors the combined St. Peter Middle School, and operates the Outreach House Ministries food pantry and clothing assistance for the poor of Joplin.
- Established
- 1877
- Patron
- Saint Peter the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Brian J. Straus
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau
Why belong here
St. Peter the Apostle is the historic mother parish of Joplin Catholicism, worshipping in a National Register-listed Carthage stone church where five generations of local families have prayed. Active parishioners can take part in a Parish School of Religion for K–5, OCIC and sacramental preparation, a combined middle/high-school youth group with St. Mary's, daily Mass including a Tuesday evening Mass with confessions, Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration from 9 AM to 7 PM, and the parish's Outreach House food pantry and clothing assistance for the poor. With Sunday Masses at 9:00 AM, 11:15 AM (live streamed), and 6:00 PM, plus a Saturday vigil at 5:15 PM, St. Peter's is both a deep-rooted Catholic community and a lively, outreach-minded parish family.
Mass times at St. Peter the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM
- Tuesday 5:30–6:00 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday 9:00 AM–7:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration)
Parish History
St. Peter the Apostle traces its roots to 1872, when a missioner believed to be Father Bonocini began traveling once a month from the Osage Indian Mission (now St. Paul, Kansas) to celebrate Mass in the home of the French Chantelle family in East Joplin. As the Catholic population grew, the faithful met in a converted lodge room above a saloon before Father Hugh O'Reilly, with the blessing of Archbishop Peter Kenrick of St. Louis, organized the small community into a parish and built the first brick church at 8th and Wall Street in 1877. Through the years, St. Peter's weathered KKK harassment, two world wars, and internal challenges, while parishioners continually supported the social welfare of Joplin — founding schools, a hospital, and a cemetery that still serve the wider community today.
- First Mass in Joplin area: 1872, by a missioner from the Osage Indian Mission
- Parish formally established: 1877 by Father Hugh O'Reilly with Archbishop Kenrick's permission
- Original brick church built at 8th and Wall Street for about 20 Catholic families
- First Catholic school in Joplin opened 1882 by Father William McCormack
- Sisters of Mercy arrived from Louisville, KY in 1885 and opened the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy
The Church Building
The present church is a Gothic Revival structure of Carthage stone designed by Joplin architect Austin Allen in 1905 and constructed in 1906 during the pastorate of Father Anthony Clinton. It was dedicated in May 1907 at a total cost of $50,000. The High Altar features a statue of St. Peter the Apostle holding a scroll and keys, and the sanctuary still displays a German High Altar and rose window given by early Joplin pioneer families.
- Style: Gothic Revival, designed by Austin Allen
- Construction: 1905–1907, dedicated May 1907
- Construction cost: $50,000, with $25,000 from mining man Thomas Connor
- Side altars: 'St. Joseph's Side' (north) and 'St. Mary's Side' (south) hold saints' relics
- Interior restoration in 2013 under Father J. Friedel: new altar, new ambo, fresh paint
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
The Rectory
The adjoining rectory was designed by Kansas City architect W. E. Brown in the Prairie style and built of Carthage stone, completed in 1917 during the pastorate of Father O'Driscoll (1913–1923). When it was finished, parishioners joked that it was 'O'Driscoll's Folly' because the building contained rooms for three or four priests even though only one assistant was attached to the parish at the time.
Mt. Calvary Cemetery
Established during Father William McCormack's tenure, Mt. Calvary Cemetery sits on a site overlooking the Shoal Creek Hills south of Joplin. It is the final resting place of many pioneer Catholic residents of the Joplin area, including Father Thomas Hanly, who served the parish from 1887 until his death in 1900. Father William Hovestadt, who followed Father Hanly, oversaw grading and graveling of cemetery streets, a new fence, and a beautiful figure of the Crucifixion.
Parish Staff
The parish is led by pastor Father Brian J. Straus and supported by a lay staff that oversees religious education, music, business operations, and outreach. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
- Pastor: Rev. Brian J. Straus
- Administrative Assistant: Susan Wear
- Business Manager: Debbie Cizerle
- Director of Religious Education: Lauren Beranek
- Music Director: Nick Kubicek (with Mandie Kubicek)
- Director of Outreach Ministry: Shiela Immesote-Foster
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Peter's Parish School of Religion (PSR) provides Catholic faith instruction to parish children in kindergarten through 5th grade who are not enrolled in the Catholic schools. Classes meet Wednesday evenings from 6:30–7:30 PM at 931 Byers Avenue (the middle school building) from September through April. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is generally for second graders, with each child required to have at least one year of PSR prior to beginning preparation. The parish also runs Family Nights for parish-wide fellowship and parent formation, an Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC) for older children joining the Church, and Confirmation preparation for 6th–8th graders.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR): K–5, Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 PM, Sept–Apr
- Family Nights: ongoing fellowship and formation for parents and children
- OCIC: for children over 7 unbaptized or entering the Church
- Confirmation: for baptized parishioners in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade
Youth Ministry
All middle-school and high-school youth are invited to participate in a combined youth group run jointly with neighboring St. Mary's Parish. Meetings and activities are listed in the parish bulletin; families can also call the parish office for the current schedule.
Catholic Schools Connected to the Parish
The parish campus includes St. Peter the Apostle Middle School at 931 S Byers Avenue, led by Principal Dr. Steve Gilbreth. The parish is part of the wider Joplin Area Catholic Schools system (jacss.org), which also includes St. Mary's Elementary and Preschool, St. Ann's Catholic School, and McAuley Catholic High School — a direct descendant of the original St. Peter's High School that Father Arthur M. Tighe helped build and that became McAuley Regional High School in 1949.
- St. Peter the Apostle Middle School — 931 S Byers Ave., Principal Dr. Steve Gilbreth, (417) 624-5605
- Joplin Area Catholic Schools (system office) — Jess Sickman, (417) 624-5003
- St. Mary's Elementary and Preschool — Principal Mary Landreth, (417) 623-1465
- St. Ann's Catholic School — Principal Heidi Gilligan, (417) 358-2674
- McAuley Catholic High School
Outreach House Ministries
Outreach House Ministries is St. Peter's outreach to the poor and marginalized of Joplin, operating a food pantry and clothing assistance program from the parish campus at 812 Pearl Avenue. It is one of the parish's most visible works of community service and a continuation of the social welfare mission that has characterized St. Peter's since the 19th century.
- Food pantry
- Prepared meals
- Clothing assistance
Music & Liturgy
Parish music is directed by Nick Kubicek (with Mandie Kubicek). The historic sanctuary — with its German High Altar, side altars holding saints' relics, rose window, and Stations of the Cross — is the setting for the parish's liturgies, including the Sunday 11:15 AM live-streamed Mass and the Wednesday day of Eucharistic Adoration.
Becoming a Parishioner
New members are warmly welcomed at St. Peter's. Registration forms are available in the Gathering Area and at the Parish Office, and visitors or new parishioners can also sign up online through the parish's Flocknote system to receive communications about events, ministries, and more.
- Registration forms available in the Gathering Area and Parish Office
- Online registration via Flocknote (saintpetertheapostlejoplin.flocknote.com)
- Parish office hours: Monday–Thursday, 9 AM–5 PM (closed Fridays)
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at (417) 623-8643 or by email at [email protected]. Sacramental preparations, Anointing of the Sick, and home or hospital visitations are arranged through the parish office. The church is located at 812 S Pearl Ave., Joplin, MO 64801-4396, with the middle school next door at 931 S Byers Ave.
- Address: 812 S Pearl Ave., Joplin, MO 64801-4396
- Phone: (417) 623-8643
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: saintpetertheapostlejoplin.com
- Facebook: Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, Joplin
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Bonocini (missioner from Osage Indian Mission)from 1872
Said the first known Mass in the Joplin area at the Chatelle home
- Father Hugh O'Reilly1876–
Built the first brick church at 8th and Wall Street, established the parish in 1877
- Father James O'Reilly
Second of three O'Reillys serving the parish in its early years
- Father William McCormack
Opened the first Catholic school in 1882; invited the Sisters of Mercy from Louisville, KY in 1885; established Mt. Calvary Cemetery
- Father Thomas Hanly1887–1900
Died in office and is buried at Mt. Calvary Cemetery
- Father William Hovestadt
Parish administrator after Father Hanly's death; made improvements at Mt. Calvary Cemetery
- Father Anthony Clintonfrom 1905
Oversaw construction of the present Carthage stone church, dedicated May 1907
- Father O'Driscoll1913–1923
Built the Prairie-style rectory (completed 1917); active with the Red Cross and Knights of Columbus during WWI
- Father William P. Brophy1926 era
Built the grade school at 8th and Byers
- Father Arthur M. Tighe
Oversaw construction of St. Peter's High School (now McAuley Regional High School)
- Father Gervase Ingoldsby
Air conditioned the church
- Father William Krudwig
Led the parish when the church and rectory were placed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Father J. Friedel
Oversaw 2013 interior restoration (new altar, new ambo, fresh paint); in 2011 also named pastor of St. Mary's in Lamar
- Rev. Brian J. Strauscurrent
Current pastor; holds a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from The Liturgical Institute at the University of St. Mary of the Lake