About St. Simon the Apostle · Saint Louis, Missouri
St. Simon the Apostle is a Catholic parish in the Green Park neighborhood of south St. Louis County, Missouri, part of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The parish community — founded in 1959 to serve a growing Catholic population in the Concord Township area — is committed to living out the Joy of the Gospel and forming missionary disciples who know and live the Faith. Worship is celebrated in a church built in 2000–2002 and dedicated by Archbishop Justin Rigali, and the parish campus on Mueller Road still includes the school, gym/parish center, and Simon Says Early Childhood Center.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- St. Simon the Apostle
- Rector
- Very Reverend William C. Thess, VF
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
St. Simon the Apostle is a welcoming, mid-sized Catholic community with deep roots in south St. Louis County. Parishioners find a full sacramental life (daily and Sunday Mass, Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration, and regular Reconciliation), strong formation through the Parish School of Religion and children's faith formation, multiple youth programs from elementary through high school, and a robust outreach network that includes St. Vincent de Paul, the Giving Tree, a Hope and Wellness mental-health ministry, a Meal Ministry serving the Opportunity Center, and a summer Tijuana Ministry building homes. The Simon Says Early Childhood Center keeps the parish a hub for young families, and there are dozens of ministries — Knights of Columbus, ACTS retreats, Pro-Life Commission, music, scouts, and more — making it easy to get involved.
Mass times at St. Simon the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday following 8:00 AM Mass
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Adoration times
- Tuesday 8:45 AM (following the 8:00 AM Mass) – continuing into the day
Parish History
St. Simon the Apostle Parish was founded in 1959 in the Green Park neighborhood of south St. Louis County to serve a growing Catholic population in Concord Township. Land was purchased on Mueller Road, Fr. Louis Dierker was appointed first pastor on April 7, 1959, and Masses were initially celebrated at Concord School while the church was under construction. The cornerstone was laid in November 1959, the school opened in September 1960 with four Dominican sisters, nine lay teachers, and 518 students, and the entire complex was dedicated December 3, 1961.
- 1959 — Parish established; Fr. Louis Dierker named first pastor
- 1960 — School opens; Holy Name and Madonna Guilds begin
- 1970 — Parish Council formed
- 1972 — Fr. Thomas Woracek appointed second pastor
- 1973 — Parish School of Religion (PSR) launched
- 1978 — Remodeled church rededicated
- 1984 — 25th Anniversary; school gym/library plans developed
- 1985 — Fr. William Ahrens appointed third pastor
- 1987 — First Kindergarten class
- 1988 — Monsignor Woracek Parish Center dedicated
- 1995 — Convent converted to Simon Says Early Childhood Center
- 1999 — Youth Ministry Program launched
- 2002 — New church dedicated by Archbishop Justin Rigali
- 2003 — Fr. Mark Ebert named fourth pastor
- 2004 — New church building paid off
- 2008 — Fr. Erich Fechner named fifth pastor; Fiftieth Jubilee kick-off
- 2010 — Parish endowment reaches $1,000,000
- 2015 — Fr. Brad Modde appointed sixth pastor
- 2022 — Middle School Youth Ministry Program begins
- 2023 — Fr. David Hogan appointed seventh pastor
- 2024–25 — St. Simon School closes after 65 years; Fr. William Thess appointed pastor in 2025
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Simon the Apostle is currently pastored by Very Reverend William C. Thess, VF, supported by a priest in residence and two permanent deacons. A parish office team manages operations, music, religious education, and youth ministry, and the Simon Says Early Childhood Center is staffed and administered as part of the parish's family of ministries.
- Pastor — Very Rev. William C. Thess, VF
- In Residence — Rev. Charles Samson
- Permanent Deacon — Deacon Michael Brancato
- Permanent Deacon — Deacon David Camden
- PSR Director — Jackie Tiemann ([email protected])
- Director of Operations & Finance — Joe Dulatt ([email protected])
- Simon Says ECC Director — Michele Snyder ([email protected])
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Children of parish families are served through Children's Faith Formation on Sundays (ages 3–6 with Sacramental Prep) and the Parish School of Religion (PSR) on Monday evenings for grades 1–7. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation is celebrated within the parish community. Children's Liturgy of the Word invites younger children to hear the Scripture readings during Mass.
- Children's Faith Formation (CFF) — Sundays, ages 3–6
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) — Mondays 6:30–7:45 PM, grades 1–7
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) during Sunday Mass
- First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation Sacramental Prep
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
St. Simon runs a robust youth ministry program launched in 1999. A dedicated Middle School Youth Ministry Program was added in September 2022, supplementing the existing High School group and parish-wide youth events.
- Middle School Youth Ministry (launched 2022)
- High School Youth Ministry
- Vacation Bible School
- Scouting — Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts
Becoming Catholic (OCIA / RCIA)
Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church or wanting to learn more about the Faith are welcomed through the parish's OCIA process (formerly RCIA), directed by Deacon David Camden. Inquirers are invited to contact the parish office to begin the journey toward the sacraments of initiation.
- OCIA / RCIA — Becoming Catholic (Deacon David Camden, ext. 120)
- Bible Study Groups
- Men's Faith Sharing
- Women's Spirituality
- Grief Support
Simon Says Early Childhood Center
Founded when the parish convent was converted in September 1995, Simon Says Early Childhood Center is a year-round early-childhood program serving children ages six weeks through five years. Located at 11015 Mueller Road, the center remains open even after the parish elementary school's announced closure, continuing the parish's family-of-formation mission.
- Year-round program for ages 6 weeks – 5 years
- Address: 11015 Mueller Road
- Director: Michele Snyder ([email protected], ext. 300)
- Continues to operate following 2025 closure of St. Simon School
St. Simon the Apostle School (1960–2025)
Founded in 1960 to provide Catholic education to the growing Green Park population, St. Simon School was staffed by four Dominican sisters, nine lay teachers, and 518 students in its inaugural year. Over 65 years the school grew, added a Kindergarten program, a gym, a library, and the Monsignor Woracek Parish Center. In March 2025 the Archdiocese of St. Louis announced the school would close at the end of the 2024–25 academic year due to declining enrollment.
- Founded 1960 — 65 years of Catholic education
- Original address: 11019 Mueller Road
- Kindergarten added in 1987
- Gym/Msgr. Woracek Parish Center added 1988
- Closed at end of 2024–25 school year following Archdiocesan announcement (March 27, 2025)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments as the heart of Catholic life. Baptisms are scheduled twice monthly, weddings require at least six months of preparation, and families are guided through First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation through PSR and Children's Faith Formation.
- Baptism — 2nd & 4th Sundays at 12:00 PM
- Matrimony — six months' notice; marriage prep required
- Anointing of the Sick
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Tuesday & Saturday
- First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation via PSR/CFF
- Holy Orders / Consecrated Life referrals via the Archdiocesan Vocations Office
Parish Devotions
Beyond Mass and the sacraments, St. Simon offers a weekly Eucharistic Hour on Tuesdays, Perpetual Help Devotions, and other devotional opportunities that have marked parish life for decades, including the Saturday Rosary after Mass.
- Eucharistic Adoration — Tuesdays following 8:00 AM Mass
- Perpetual Help Devotions — Tuesdays following morning Masses
- Saturday Rosary after Mass
- ACTS Retreats (Men's and Women's)
- Helpers of God's Precious Infants pro-life Mass and rosary (third Saturday monthly, Cathedral Basilica)
Outreach, Charity & Social Justice
Outreach is a major pillar of parish life at St. Simon. The St. Vincent de Paul Society, Giving Tree, Helping Hands, Meal Ministry, Hospital and Visiting Ministries, the Pro-Life Commission, and the summer Tijuana Ministry all serve neighbors near and far.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Giving Tree
- Helping Hands — funeral receptions and meals for the sick
- Meal Ministry — serves lunches twice monthly at the Opportunity Center
- Tijuana Ministry — summer mission trip building homes with BASICS
- Visiting Ministry (homebound) and Hospital Ministry
- Hope and Wellness Mental Health Ministry (monthly Zoom, 3rd Monday)
- Disability Advocacy
- Pro-Life Commission / Respect Life Apostolate
- Green Team — Laudato Si' Action Plan
Parish Life & Community
Dozens of groups help build community and serve the parish, from guilds and societies to scouts, cards, and athletic activities. Annual events such as the Mother's Day Madonna Guild dinner, parish picnic, and various fundraisers knit the community together.
- Knights of Columbus and KofC Women's Auxiliary
- Madonna Guild and Holy Name Society
- Bridge Group, Canasta Group, Senior Group
- Athletic Board and Bingo
- Quilters
- Welcome Committee
- Parish Picnic (annual)
- Parish Council and Stewardship Council
- Finance Council
- Home & School Association
Liturgical Ministries & Music
A vibrant Music Ministry supports the liturgy through an Adult Choir/Cantor program, a Funeral Choir, and a Guitar Choir, supported by Music Director Mary Kay Christian. Lay liturgical roles include Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Altar Servers, Ministers of Hospitality, and the Art & Environment committee.
- Adult Choir and Cantors (Music Director Mary Kay Christian)
- Funeral Choir and Guitar Choir
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (including to the sick)
- Altar Servers
- Ministers of Hospitality (Ushers)
- Art & Environment
Getting Involved & Volunteering
St. Simon manages its many volunteer needs through the parish's ENGAGE app. Parishioners can serve as liturgical ministers, catechists, Helping Hands, or join service trips like the Tijuana Ministry. The parish notes it 'would not be the same without our dedicated volunteers.'
- Liturgical ministers, catechists, and assistants
- Helping Hands — funeral receptions and meals for the sick
- Tijuana Ministry (summer)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word and PSR volunteers
- Engage with Donna Mohammadi ([email protected]) for parish events or Marilyn Willey ([email protected]) for school events
Visit, Contact & Visit Information
The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. New parishioners are invited to call the parish secretary at 314-842-3848 ext. 100 or stop by the office to register.
- Address: 11011 Mueller Road, St. Louis, MO 63123
- Phone: (314) 842-3848
- Fax: (314) 842-9829
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: stsimonchurch.org
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (closed 12:00–12:30 PM for lunch); Fri 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Louis Dierkerappointed April 7, 1959
First pastor; oversaw founding, construction of church and school
- Fr. Thomas Woracekappointed June 6, 1972
Second pastor; new rectory, Parish School of Religion (1973), church remodel and rededication 1978; later honored with the Monsignor Woracek Parish Center
- Fr. William Ahrensappointed June 1985
Third pastor; school expansion, Kindergarten launch (1987), 25th Anniversary (1984)
- Fr. Mark Ebertappointed June 23, 2003
Fourth pastor; paid off new church in April 2004
- Fr. Erich Fechnerappointed June 17, 2008
Fifth pastor; led the Fiftieth Jubilee kick-off in 2008 and grew the parish endowment to $1M
- Fr. Brad Moddeappointed July 1, 2015
Sixth pastor
- Fr. David J. Hoganappointed August 1, 2023
Seventh pastor; reassigned to Ascension Parish Chesterfield in 2025 clergy appointments