About St. Stanislaus · Jefferson City, Missouri
St. Stanislaus is a Roman Catholic parish in Wardsville, Missouri (a small community in Cole County within the Jefferson City postal area), in the Diocese of Jefferson City. Founded in 1880 to serve a large community of German Catholic immigrants, the parish is named after St. Stanislaus Kostka and remains centered on its parish school (founded 1882/1883), its Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration program (running since 1986), and an active parish life expressed through annual summer and fall festivals. Current pastor is Msgr. David Cox, appointed in July 2021.
- Established
- 1880
- Patron
- St. Stanislaus Kostka
- Rector
- Msgr. David Cox
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
St. Stanislaus offers a deeply rooted Catholic community in Wardsville, with a parish school that has educated children since 1882–1883, one of the longest-running Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration programs in the Diocese of Jefferson City (continuous since 1986), and two signature parish-wide events — the annual Picnic on the third Sunday of July and the Fall Supper on the second Sunday of October — that knit parishioners together across generations. With daily and Sunday Mass, RCIA, PSR (K–8), Totus Tuus summer catechesis, First Saturday Devotion, Stations of the Cross in Lent, Knights of Columbus fish frys, and a robust stewardship council, the parish offers concrete ways to live the faith at every age and stage.
Mass times at St. Stanislaus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
- First Saturday of every month beginning at 7:00 am (First Saturday Devotion)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the Adoration Chapel (continuous since 1986)
- Public Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction on Fridays during the school year — contact the school office for specific dates and times
About St. Stanislaus Parish
St. Stanislaus Catholic Church sits at 6418 Route W in Wardsville, Missouri — a small community in Cole County that is part of the Jefferson City postal area. The parish was established in 1880 to serve German Catholic immigrants and has been home to a parish school since 1882/1883. Its mission, as published by the parish, is to dedicate its members' lives to Jesus Christ by loving God and neighbor with their whole heart, mind, and soul, following the example of St. Stanislaus Kostka, the parish's patron.
- Patron: St. Stanislaus Kostka
- Founded: 1880
- Parish school founded: 1882/1883
- Diocese: Jefferson City (See City Deanery)
- Associated parish: Osage Bend
Parish History
The Diocese of Jefferson City's official history page and the parish website both draw their narrative from Proclaiming the Good News in the Heart of Missouri by Loretta Pastva, SND. It recounts how German Catholic immigrants settled the wooded, hilly Wardsville area in the late 19th century, founded the parish in 1880, and built the church beginning September 7, 1881. German-language catechesis and prayer continued well into the 20th century, with German-speaking parishioners interpreting for newcomers who knew only the old language. The parish school grew with major additions in 1958, 1978, 1997, and 2002. In 1986 Pauline Markway, under then-pastor Fr. Brendan Doyle, started the Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration program, with her daughter Donna Bernskoetter taking over as coordinator in 2001. Fr. Ignazio Medina pastored from 2012 to 2021, when Msgr. David Cox was appointed.
- 1880 — parish established
- 1881–82 — present stone church built (Richardsonian Romanesque)
- 1882/1883 — parish school opens
- 1958 — current school building; additions in 1978, 1997, 2002
- 1986 — Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration begins under Fr. Brendan Doyle and Pauline Markway
- 2001 — Donna Bernskoetter becomes adoration coordinator
- 2012–2021 — Fr. Ignazio Medina serves as pastor
- July 2021 — Msgr. David Cox appointed pastor
Architecture & Buildings
The present church is a large stone Romanesque Revival structure with brick detailing between the multi-story arches on the tower and along the sides, a center steeple, and a lower-pitched roof — features that the National Park Service documentation identifies as more reflective of the heavier Richardsonian Romanesque substyle. Its smaller openings in the tower and belfry distinguish it from the lighter, vertically emphasized neighboring St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos. The associated school and rectory, both dating to c. 1958, are much newer than those at older Cole County parishes; the brick school has a broad front, low-pitched hipped roof with cross gables, and a vaguely Craftsman appearance, and has been expanded repeatedly. The Adoration Chapel contains four stained-glass windows, a sanctuary lamp, furniture, altar cloths, and banners all handmade or designed by parishioner Pauline Markway.
- Style: Richardsonian Romanesque (Romanesque Revival)
- Construction: begun Sept. 7, 1881; finished ~1882
- Materials: large stone block with brick accents
- School: brick, c. 1958, with additions 1978, 1997, 2002
- Adoration Chapel: stained glass by Pauline Markway; sanctuary lamp; handmade altar cloths
Pastoral Team & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Msgr. David Cox (appointed July 2021), who can be reached at the parish office and at [email protected]. Deacon Larry Hildebrand assists in ministry. Day-to-day operations are supported by a Parish Office Secretary, Director of Religious Education, and Parish Bookkeepers, all reachable through the parish office at 573-636-4925 or [email protected].
- Msgr. David Cox — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Larry Hildebrand
- Parish Office Secretary — [email protected]
- Director of Religious Education — [email protected] (Abby Thompson)
- Parish Bookkeepers — [email protected]
Parish Councils
Three councils help govern the parish: the Finance Council, appointed by the pastor to oversee the long-range financial plan; the Pastoral Council, whose members are elected by parishioners to three-year terms and which identifies parish needs and sets goals; and the Stewardship Council, appointed by the pastor to educate, engage, and empower parishioners in the spirituality of stewardship.
- Finance Council (appointed by pastor)
- Pastoral Council (elected by parishioners, three-year terms)
- School Advisory Council
- Stewardship Council — chairs Gary & Dana Wilbers ([email protected])
Devotions
In addition to daily and Sunday Mass, the parish maintains a steady rhythm of devotional life centered on the Eucharist and Our Lady. The First Saturday Devotion honors Our Lady of Fatima with Confessions, the Rosary, Mass, and meditation. During Lent, Stations of the Cross are prayed on Fridays at 6:30 pm.
- First Saturday Devotion (Our Lady of Fatima) — first Saturday of every month
- Stations of the Cross — Fridays during Lent at 6:30 pm
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration — 24/7 since 1986
- Public Adoration & Benediction — Fridays during the school year
St. Stanislaus School
St. Stanislaus School, located at 6410 Route W just next to the church, has educated students since 1882/1883 and remains the centerpiece of parish life. The school is committed to providing a strong Catholic education rooted in the Gospel and to educating the whole child — spiritually, emotionally, socially, intellectually, morally, and physically. Principal Tina Forbis leads a staff that includes school secretaries. The school has its own Facebook page (facebook.com/StStanSchool) and a separate website at school.ststan.net.
- Address: 6410 Route W, Jefferson City, MO 65101
- Phone: 573-636-7802
- Principal: Tina Forbis ([email protected])
- Website: http://school.ststan.net
- Facebook: facebook.com/StStanSchool
- Major additions: 1958, 1978, 1997, 2002
- Originally taught in both English and German to serve immigrant families
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Director of Religious Education (currently reachable through the parish office) coordinates sacramental preparation and ongoing catechesis. Programs serve children in parish school and in the Parish School of Religion (PSR) for public-school students, as well as teens through the summer Totus Tuus program. Adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church are walked through the RCIA process, with sponsors and catechists from the parish guiding them through inquiry, catechumenate, and reception of the Sacraments of Initiation.
- PSR (Parish School of Religion) — grades K–8; catechists needed
- RCIA — contact Abby Thompson at [email protected]
- Totus Tuus summer program — grades 1–6 daytime, 7–12 evening
- Sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation) — see parish office
Parish Events & Community Life
Two signature parish-wide events anchor the community calendar: the annual Parish Picnic on the third Sunday of July, and the annual Fall Supper on the second Sunday of October. The Knights of Columbus Council 8399 hosts Lenten Fish Fry dinners on Fridays from 4:30 to 7:00 pm, serving fish, baked potatoes, hush puppies, baked beans, and coleslaw. Parishioners sign up in advance through a published work list to staff the festivals.
- Annual Parish Picnic — 3rd Sunday of July
- Annual Fall Supper — 2nd Sunday of October
- Knights of Columbus Council 8399 Fish Fry — Lenten Fridays, 4:30–7:00 pm
- Volunteer work lists published in advance of festivals
Getting Involved
The parish publishes a Ministry Guide listing opportunities to serve in liturgy, faith formation, school, parish life, and service. Safe Environment training is required of all adult volunteers working with children. Those interested in signing up for a weekly Holy Hour in the Adoration Chapel can contact Donna Bernskoetter at 573-680-1470.
- Liturgical ministries, faith formation, school volunteers
- Safe Environment training required for adult volunteers working with children
- Perpetual Adoration hour sign-ups — contact Donna Bernskoetter (573-680-1470)
- Stewardship Council opportunities through Gary & Dana Wilbers
Contact & Location
The parish office is at 6418 Route W, Jefferson City, MO 65101, and can be reached at (573) 636-4925 or [email protected]. The associated school sits directly next door at 6410 Route W (573-636-7802, [email protected]). The parish is part of the See City Deanery of the Diocese of Jefferson City, with the See City Deanery's associated parish listed as Osage Bend.
- Parish address: 6418 Route W, Jefferson City, MO 65101
- Parish phone: (573) 636-4925
- Parish email: [email protected]
- School address: 6410 Route W, Jefferson City, MO 65101
- School phone: 573-636-7802
- Diocese: Diocese of Jefferson City (See City Deanery)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Brendan Doyle1986 (and surrounding era)
Director at the parish when Pauline Markway founded the Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration program.
- Fr. Ignazio Medina2012–2021
Pastored until July 2021, when he was appointed pastor of Our Lady of the Lake, Lake Ozark; subject of a 2022 diocesan statement regarding alleged financial mismanagement and a subsequent church trial.
- Msgr. David Cox2021–present
Appointed pastor in July 2021; the parish finance council under his leadership identified financial discrepancies and brought them to the diocesan Chancery.