About St. Stephen · Monroe City, Missouri
St. Stephen Catholic Church is a small rural parish located in Indian Creek — locally known as 'Swinkey' — in northeast Missouri near Monroe City. Founded in 1833, it is the oldest active parish in the Diocese of Jefferson City, and is today twinned with neighboring Holy Rosary Church in Monroe City under one pastor. The parish continues a 190-year-old tradition of Catholic worship, faith formation, and community gathering in a beautiful rural setting, anchored by a historical marker on its grounds describing it as 'nourishing the faith of a growing community.'
- Established
- 1833
- Patron
- St. Stephen (the first Christian martyr)
- Rector
- Fr. Christopher Hoffmann
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
St. Stephen offers a deeply rooted Catholic community with the intimacy of a small rural parish and the resources of a two-church cluster. Members worship at the 8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass and gather throughout the week for Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary on Mondays at noon, faith formation for all ages (PSR, RCIA/OCIA, Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry), service to the homebound and nursing home residents, and beloved parish traditions like the annual Swinkey Picnic. As the oldest parish in the Diocese of Jefferson City, St. Stephen welcomes newcomers into a multigenerational family grounded in nearly 200 years of prayer, song, and gospel witness.
Mass times at St. Stephen
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sundays: 7:15 – 7:45 a.m. at St. Stephen
- Saturdays: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary
- Tuesdays: 6:30 p.m. (following 6:00 p.m. Mass) at Holy Rosary
- 1st Saturday of the Month: 8:30 a.m. (following 8:00 a.m. Mass) at Holy Rosary
- Or anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is available at Holy Rosary Church (cluster partner) Sunday–Saturday, 4:00 a.m. to midnight, in the Adoration Chapel
Welcome to St. Stephen Catholic Church
Saint Stephen Catholic Church sits in the small rural community of Indian Creek, Missouri — locally known as 'Swinkey' — in northeast Missouri. Founded in 1833, it is the oldest active parish in the Diocese of Jefferson City. For nearly two centuries the parish has nurtured the faith of a growing rural community through prayer, song, and gospel witness, and the sound of babies and young children continues to join the congregation in worship. Visitors are always welcome, especially at the 8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass.
Parish History
St. Stephen was established in 1833, predating the Diocese of Jefferson City (erected in 1956) by more than a century. According to the diocesan history, the well-organized network of rural parishes in northeast Missouri — including Monroe and Ralls counties — grew out of Jesuit missionary activity and was sustained by German, Italian, and Irish Catholic immigrants. Several church buildings have stood on the St. Stephen grounds over the years; a historical marker on the property still bears the words, 'nourishing the faith of a growing community.' Today St. Stephen shares a pastor with Holy Rosary Church in Monroe City, continuing a 190-year tradition of Catholic life in Indian Creek.
- Established 1833
- Oldest active parish in the Diocese of Jefferson City
- Located in Indian Creek ('Swinkey'), northeast Missouri
- Historical marker on parish grounds
- Clustered with Holy Rosary Church, Monroe City
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Stephen and Holy Rosary are served by one pastor together with a small lay staff and a retired deacon. The parish secretary, faith formation director, school principal, and religious sister round out the team. Parishioners are encouraged to call the parish office for assistance.
- Fr. Christopher Hoffmann — Pastor (St. Stephen & Holy Rosary), [email protected], (573) 735-4718
- Deacon Mike Long (retired) — [email protected], (660) 341-3696
- Sally Lemongelli — Secretary, [email protected], (573) 231-6980
- Donna Long — Director of Faith Formation, [email protected], (573) 735-4718
- Sr. Suzanne Walker — [email protected], (573) 822-9056
- Melanie Albus — Staff
- Nancy Shively — Principal, Holy Rosary School
- Dana Shively — Secretary, Holy Rosary School
Parish Life & Ministries
St. Stephen Parish offers a wide range of ministries serving the spiritual, sacramental, and social life of the community. These include sacramental preparation (Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, OCIA/RCIA), ongoing faith formation for children and adults (PSR, Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, small faith groups), liturgical roles (Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Altar Servers, Music Ministry, Rosary Leader), and parish leadership councils (Pastoral Council, Stewardship Council, Holy Rosary School Advisory Council). The St. Stephen Altar Society — open to all women of the parish — cares for the beauty and function of the church, provides funeral dinners, and prepares food for the annual Swinkey Picnic.
- Sacramental Preparation: Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, OCIA/RCIA
- Faith Formation: PSR (K–8 and 9–12), Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry
- Liturgical Roles: Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Music Ministry, Rosary Leader, Cross Bearer, Offertory Bearers
- Councils: Pastoral Council, Stewardship Council, Holy Rosary School Advisory Council
- St. Stephen Altar Society (all women of the parish)
- Faith Formation Small Groups using FORMED.org and other resources
- Prison Ministry — Residents Encounter Christ (REC)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Religious Education Core Team — made up of the Director of Faith Formation and members from both cluster parishes — coordinates faith formation for all ages, including the Parish School of Religion (PSR), OCIA/RCIA, book studies, adult faith formation, and Family Faith Night. PSR offers weekly religion classes for Catholic students in Kindergarten through 8th grade who do not attend Holy Rosary School, as well as for students in grades 9–12. K–6 PSR meets at Holy Rosary School on Wednesdays after school until 4:30 p.m., with transportation provided by Monroe City R-1; grades 7–12 gather after the 9:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Rosary Church until noon. Classes run September through April.
- PSR — Kindergarten through 6th grade (Wednesdays after school, Holy Rosary School)
- PSR — Grades 7–12 (after 9:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Rosary)
- OCIA / RCIA for adults seeking full communion
- Family Faith Night
- Adult book studies and small faith groups (FORMED.org)
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
The cluster's Youth Ministry, led by Courtney Benson, and its Young Adult Ministry (ages 18–35), coordinated by Donna Long, support middle-school through young-adult Catholics through fellowship, formation, and service. Youth ministry volunteers lead youth groups, organize fellowship activities, and teach classes, providing mentorship and faith formation. The Young Adult ministry focuses on meeting the spiritual needs of young adults and offering faith formation alongside social connection.
- Youth Ministry (middle school through high school) — Courtney Benson, Youth Minister
- Young Adult Ministry (ages 18–35) — Donna Long
- Volunteer mentors and catechists
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Singing is described in the parish's own ministry materials as 'a form of prayer and an expression of our gifts for the glory of God.' The Music Ministry plans music for Masses and other liturgical celebrations. Lectors proclaim the Word of God at liturgies (training provided for new lectors); Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priest in distributing Holy Communion and may bring Communion to the homebound, hospitals, and nursing or retirement homes; and Altar Servers begin their ministry in fifth grade, with training offered by the pastor and deacons — and during school hours for students at Holy Rosary School.
- Music Ministry
- Lectors (with training)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (commissioned by bishop and pastor)
- Altar Servers (begin in fifth grade)
- Rosary Leader (prays the rosary before 7:40 a.m. Sunday Mass)
- Cross Bearer / Offertory Bearers
Sacraments
St. Stephen prepares parishioners for the sacraments of Christian initiation and life. Baptism Preparation is offered for parents and godparents, Confirmation Preparation for older youth and teens, and Marriage Preparation involves faithful and active married couples who mentor engaged couples through the diocesan process. Adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church journey through the OCIA/RCIA process, supported by parish sponsors. Funeral Liturgies are supported by the Altar Society's Funeral Luncheon ministry.
- Baptism Preparation
- Confirmation Preparation
- Marriage Preparation with mentor couples
- OCIA / RCIA for adults
- Funeral Liturgy with parish-provided luncheon
Outreach & Service
The parish extends its care beyond its walls through several outreach ministries. Nursing Home Visitation brings the Eucharist and companionship to residents of facilities including the Monroe City Manor, where Mass is celebrated twice a month. The Prison Ministry — Residents Encounter Christ (REC) — offers a three-day retreat weekend based on the Paschal Mystery to those in prison, with volunteers age 21 and over. Extraordinary Ministers also bring Communion to the homebound and to those in hospitals and retirement communities.
- Nursing Home Visitation (incl. Monroe City Manor Mass on 2nd & 4th Tuesdays)
- Communion to the homebound and hospitalized
- Prison Ministry — Residents Encounter Christ (REC) three-day retreat
Parish Organizations & Councils
Lay leadership at St. Stephen is shaped by several councils and the parish Altar Society. The Pastoral Council consists of parishioners elected within St. Stephen Parish who provide leadership and guidance as servant leaders; members typically serve two three-year terms. The Stewardship Council helps foster stewardship as a way of life within the parish. The Holy Rosary School Advisory Council serves as a consultative body to the pastor and principal, significantly influencing school life and operations. The St. Stephen Altar Society — open to all women of the parish — cares for the church, provides flowers for Sunday and special Masses, decorates for the liturgical seasons, prepares funeral dinners, and cooks the food for the annual Swinkey Picnic.
- Pastoral Council (6–7 members, two three-year terms)
- Stewardship Council
- Holy Rosary School Advisory Council
- St. Stephen Altar Society (all parish women)
Parish Events & Traditions
St. Stephen's best-known annual event is the Swinkey Picnic, a beloved day of fellowship featuring a fried chicken dinner with homemade pies (served 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., $10/adult, $5/child), pork burgers from a concession stand, bingo starting at noon, and a 'King of…' contest. The picnic is organized in large part by the St. Stephen Altar Society. The parish also gathers weekly for the Monday noon Rosary, weekly Sunday pre-Mass Rosary, and seasonal celebrations throughout the liturgical year.
- Annual Swinkey Picnic — fried chicken, pies, pork burgers, bingo, 'King of…' contest
- Weekly Monday Rosary at noon
- Weekly Sunday Rosary before Mass
- Seasonal liturgical celebrations
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Stephen Catholic Church at the parish office at 27519 Monroe Rd 533, Monroe City, MO 63456. The parish office phone is (573) 231-6980 and the church phone is (573) 735-4718. The general email is [email protected]. Office hours and additional contact information for individual staff members are listed on the parish website and in the parish Ministry Guide.
- Address: 27519 Monroe Rd 533, Monroe City, MO 63456
- Parish Office: (573) 231-6980
- Church: (573) 735-4718
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://ststephenic.diojeffcity.org/
- Diocese of Jefferson City Chancery: (573) 635-9127
Diocese of Jefferson City
St. Stephen is a parish of the Diocese of Jefferson City, which was erected on July 2, 1956, and is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The diocese covers 38 counties across central and northeast Missouri, with some 75,000 Catholics. The current bishop, the fifth to lead the diocese, is Most Reverend Ralph B. O'Donnell, appointed August 19, 2025, and ordained and installed October 28, 2025. The Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City serves as the mother church of the diocese.
- Diocese of Jefferson City (est. 1956)
- Suffragan of the Archdiocese of St. Louis
- Bishop: Most Rev. Ralph B. O'Donnell (since 2025)
- Cathedral: Cathedral of St. Joseph, Jefferson City
- Diocesan website: https://diojeffcity.org