About St. Polycarp · Carmi, Illinois
St. Polycarp Catholic Church is a small Catholic parish in Carmi, Illinois, in White County, established in 1847 and now part of the Diocese of Belleville. The parish is partnered with St. Patrick Church in nearby Enfield, and the two communities share a joint parish council and a single pastoral team. Today the parish is served by an administrator, a Coordinator of Religious Education, and an office manager, with Sunday Mass as the heart of its weekly life and weekday Masses on Thursday and Friday mornings.
- Established
- 1847
- Patron
- St. Polycarp (Bishop/martyr of Smyrna, Turkey, and a disciple of St. John the Evangelist)
- Rector
- Rev. Gregory Ogbenika (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville
Why belong here
St. Polycarp is a long-established Catholic community in White County, Illinois, with roots going back to 1847 and a current partnership with St. Patrick of Enfield that means parishioners enjoy the fellowship and resources of two parishes working together. The parish offers Sunday Mass, weekday Masses, the Sacrament of Reconciliation before Sunday Mass or by appointment, faith formation led by a dedicated CRE, and seasonal parish events such as the annual Valentine Dinner. For Catholics in Carmi and southern Illinois looking for a small, historic, faith-centered community in the Diocese of Belleville, St. Polycarp provides a welcoming home.
Mass times at St. Polycarp
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 10–30 minutes before Mass (9:30–9:50 a.m.)
- or by appointment
Parish Identity & History
St. Polycarp Catholic Church was founded in 1847, when Father Elisha Durbin — the famous circuit-riding priest of St. Vincent's, Kentucky — celebrated the first Mass at a farmhouse north of Carmi. From that single Mass grew a Catholic community that worshipped at various locations until the original church was dedicated in 1880. The parish takes its name from St. Polycarp, the 2nd-century bishop and martyr of Smyrna (modern Izmir, Turkey), a disciple of St. John the Evangelist.
- First Mass celebrated 1847 at a farmhouse north of Carmi by Father Elisha Durbin.
- Original church dedicated in 1880; present church built in 1961 on the same site.
- First resident pastor, Rev. Joseph Spaeth, arrived January 14, 1882.
Pastoral Leadership Over the Years
As a mission, St. Polycarp was served from 1847 to 1882 by priests based in Shawneetown, Cairo, Enfield, Piopolis, Equality, and Teutopolis. The Enfield priest returned to lead the parish again from 1887 to 1895, after the school had closed and the resident pastor had moved. In all, the parish has been served by 22 resident priests and 7 bishops of the Diocese of Belleville. Today the parish is led by an administrator (Rev. Gregory Ogbenika), supported by a Coordinator of Religious Education and an office manager.
- Rev. William O'Reilly of Enfield (c. 1870–1872)
- Rev. John Neuhaus of Piopolis (1872–1876)
- Rev. John N. Enzlberger of Piopolis (1876)
- Rev. H. Hegemann of Enfield (1876–1879) — built the original church
- Rev. Adam Leufgen of Shawneetown (1879–1880)
- Rev. Jacob Rensmann of Ridgway (1880–1882)
- Rev. Joseph Spaeth — first resident pastor, 1882
- Fr. Vincent Obi — listed as Administrator on an earlier parish contact page
- Rev. Gregory Ogbenika — current Administrator
Buildings, Campus & Religious Education
The original 1880 frame church was replaced by the present church in 1961 on the same Fourth Street site. A house across the street was purchased as a rectory; in 1962 the School Sisters of Notre Dame arrived and turned it into a convent. A new rectory with a lower-level meeting room replaced the old school/hall, and a house at 308 Oak Street was converted into classrooms for religious education. The parish hall that exists today was built in 1973 and dedicated on February 27, 1977.
- Present church: built 1961, replacing the 1880 frame structure.
- School Sisters of Notre Dame convent: established 1962.
- Religious education facility: 308 Oak Street.
- Parish hall: dedicated February 27, 1977.
Joint Parish with St. Patrick, Enfield
St. Polycarp in Carmi and St. Patrick in Enfield (1377 County Rd 25 E, Enfield, IL 62835) are officially partnered parishes within the Diocese of Belleville. They share a Joint Parish Council formed as part of the diocese's plan for parish renewal and restructuring. The two communities coordinate Mass schedules, faith formation, fundraisers, and youth activities together.
- Partnered parish: St. Patrick, Enfield (1377 County Rd 25 E, Enfield, IL 62835).
- Joint Parish Council coordinates events and shared pastoral life.
- Joint events include the St. Patrick Children's Nativity, St. Patrick Bingo Fundraiser, Advent Gospel Reflections book, and youth outreach.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education for the parish is coordinated by Julie Jackson, CRE, and is held in the educational facility at 308 Oak Street that was converted from a house for parish classroom use. The program serves the children of both St. Polycarp and its partner parish, St. Patrick of Enfield, and continues the parish's long tradition of catechesis that stretches back to the late 19th century, when Father Hegemann was already providing Sunday catechetical instruction to about 45 children.
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Julie Jackson (618-382-5224).
- Religious education classrooms: 308 Oak Street, Carmi.
- Joint program with St. Patrick, Enfield.
Parish Staff & Contact
The parish is served by a small, dedicated staff who share responsibilities across the joint St. Polycarp / St. Patrick partnership. Inquiries, Mass intentions, and sacramental requests can be directed to the parish office at the rectory on Fourth Street.
- Administrator: Rev. Gregory Ogbenika — 618-380-2262
- Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE): Julie Jackson — 618-382-5224
- Office Manager: Carrie Jones — 618-380-2262
- Parish email: [email protected]
Parish Life & Community Events
Beyond the regular rhythm of Mass and Reconciliation, St. Polycarp and its partner St. Patrick host a steady calendar of community-building events throughout the year, including fundraisers, formation activities, and seasonal celebrations. These events are announced on the parish website and Facebook page and are a core way the two parishes stay connected with one another.
- Annual St. Polycarp Valentine Dinner (February 14, 2025 edition).
- St. Patrick Children's Nativity.
- St. Patrick Christmas Party.
- St. Patrick Bingo Fundraiser.
- Christmas Card and Advent Gospel Reflections Book.
- Summer Lunch Program (assisted by St. Patrick youth).
Outreach & Jubilee Year 2025
The parishes have actively engaged in local outreach, including supporting a Summer Lunch Program, and they announced participation in the Jubilee Year 2025 proclaimed by Pope Francis. The joint parish council continues to coordinate charitable and evangelization efforts across the Carmi–Enfield area.
- Summer Lunch Program support.
- Jubilee Year 2025 participation.
- Joint Parish Council oversight of outreach and evangelization.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Elisha Durbin1847
Circuit-riding priest of St. Vincent's, Kentucky; celebrated the first Mass north of Carmi that founded the parish.
- Rev. William O'Reilly (of Enfield)1870–1872
Early visiting priest when Catholic families began meeting in Carmi.
- Rev. John Neuhaus (of Piopolis)1872–1876
Mission priest; about ten families were members of the parish by March 1876.
- Rev. John N. Enzlberger (of Piopolis)1876 (to June 11)
Mission priest.
- Rev. H. Hegemann (of Enfield)1876–1879
Built the original church building, started Oct. 1, 1876.
- Rev. Adam Leufgen (of Shawneetown)1879–1880
Saw the church dedicated in 1880.
- Rev. Jacob Rensmann (of Ridgway, Gallatin Co.)1880–1882
Built a parochial school.
- Rev. Joseph Spaeth1882–
First resident pastor, arrived January 14, 1882.
- Fr. Vincent Obi
Listed as Administrator on an older parish contact page (predecessor to current administrator).