About St. Thomas · Peoria Heights, Illinois
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish is a Catholic parish in Peoria Heights, Illinois, established in 1924 as a mission of St. Bernard Parish and elevated to parish status in 1937. It belongs to the Diocese of Peoria and operates St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School (PreK–8), a parish school with roughly 314 students. The parish offers a full schedule of daily and weekend Masses, weekly Confession, OCIA (formerly RCIA), CCD religious education, a parish food pantry, and active pastoral and finance councils. Monsignor Jason A. Gray, J.C.D., is named by the diocese as pastor.
- Established
- 1924
- Patron
- St. Thomas the Apostle
- Rector
- Father Johndamaseni Zilimu
- Diocese
- Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
St. Thomas the Apostle combines nearly a century of Peoria Heights Catholic life with an unusually full line-up of parish programs: four weekend Masses, daily Mass, Saturday Confession, a parish school serving PreK–8, the Msgr. Watson Scholarship Fund, year-round CCD, OCIA classes, and the Re-Membering program for returning Catholics. The parish also runs a food pantry relocated in 2018 as part of school security upgrades, supports a parish nurse, annulment consultations, and a strong parish council — and the December 2020 sanctuary blessing shows an active commitment to keeping the church building beautiful for worship.
Mass times at St. Thomas
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 – 4:45 pm
- Saturday 6:00 pm (until the last confession is heard)
About St. Thomas the Apostle Parish
St. Thomas the Apostle is a Catholic parish in Peoria Heights, Illinois, part of the Diocese of Peoria. Founded as a mission of St. Bernard Parish in 1924 and elevated to parish status in 1937, it now serves hundreds of families and operates St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School, a PreK–8 elementary school. The parish is known for its full Mass and Confession schedule, its parish school, the Msgr. Watson Scholarship Fund, and active ministries including OCIA, CCD, a food pantry, and a parish nurse.
- Established 1924 as a Mission; 1937 elevated to a Parish
- Diocese of Peoria
- Address: 904 E. Lake Avenue, Peoria Heights, IL 61616
- Phone: (309) 688-3446
- Email: [email protected]
History of St. Thomas the Apostle
In 1924 Bishop Joseph Schlarman created the Mission of St. Thomas out of the northern territory of St. Bernard Parish to serve Catholics in Peoria Heights. Father M. P. Sammon purchased the former Herbstrith's café at Lake and Monroe streets for $8,500 on August 15, 1924, and converted the bar, dining room, and dance hall into a sacristy, meeting room, and worship space. The Mission was served by assistant priests from St. Bernard, including Father Bernard Rank. In 1937 Bishop Schlarman elevated the Mission to a Parish of 100 families and appointed Father Rank as the first pastor.
- 1924: Mission founded; Herbstrith's café purchased and converted to a church
- 1927: Lot purchased on opposite corner for future church and school
- 1937: Elevated to a Parish; Father Bernard Rank appointed first pastor
- 1940: Permanent church dedicated by Bishop Schlarman (December 9)
- 1942: School opens; old mission church becomes four classrooms
- 1945: Four more classrooms added; original gym built (boiler from Country Club of Peoria)
- 1953: Ten-classroom school constructed; dedicated by Bishop Cousins in 1954
- 1957–1961: Five more classrooms, new rectory, gym/cafeteria improvements, convent wing
- 1966: Vatican II renovations and new altar
- 1981: Monsignor Rank retires at 81; Father William Watson named second pastor
- 1995: School addition with library, classrooms, new gym and cafeteria — theme 'I make all things new'
- 2002: New church dedicated October 6 on the old rectory site; new rectory built nearby
- 2006: Monsignor Watson Scholarship Fund endowment established for his 25th anniversary
- 2015: Monsignor Watson retires after 34 years; Monsignor Jason Gray named third pastor
- 2018: Security upgrades to school and relocation of parish food pantry
- 2020: Newly renovated sanctuary blessed in December
Architecture and Church Building
The 1940 church was built in a modern Romanesque design, with round windows at the compass points symbolizing the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, and a round crucifix window. Below the faith window are two windows depicting incidents in the life of St. Thomas; below the hope and charity windows are windows depicting the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. The nave held twelve windows — six on each side — representing the points of the Apostles' Creed, and the walls displayed hand-carved wood Stations of the Cross, all later moved into the 2002 expanded church. In December 2020, a newly renovated sanctuary was blessed.
- Original style: modern Romanesque (1940)
- Round compass-point windows for faith, hope, and charity
- Twelve nave windows for the Apostles' Creed
- Hand-carved wood Stations of the Cross
- New church dedicated October 6, 2002 (Monsignor Watson's expansion)
- Sanctuary renovation blessed December 2020
Clergy, Staff, and Parish Directory
The current Directory lists Father Johndamaseni Zilimu as Pastor, Fr. Patrick DeMeulemeester as Parochial Vicar, and three deacons: Deacon John Nelson, Deacon Ed Mallow, and Deacon Mark Kelsch (Senior Status). The sacristan is Mother M. Vaclava Ballon, FSJB. Lay staff include a Director of Faith Formation (Kate Crim), CCD Coordinator (Liz Plaskon), Music Director (Nathalie Corbett), Administrative Assistant (Tracey Deponai), Bulletin editor (Peggy Sullivan), and Finance and Tuition (Sheris Catton). Annulment consultations are available through John Mackoway. A Parish Council of twelve members plus two ex-officio members governs the parish.
- Pastor: Father Johndamaseni Zilimu (ext 3) — [email protected]
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Patrick DeMeulemeester (ext 4) — [email protected]
- Deacon John Nelson (309-981-2716)
- Deacon Ed Mallow (309-360-7735)
- Deacon Mark Kelsch — Senior Status
- Sacristan: Mother M. Vaclava Ballon, FSJB (309-688-3500)
- Director of Faith Formation: Kate Crim (ext 1310)
- CCD Coordinator: Liz Plaskon
- Music Director: Nathalie Corbett
- Administrative Assistant: Tracey Deponai (ext 1300)
- Bulletin editor: Peggy Sullivan (ext 1301)
- Finance & Tuition: Sheris Catton
- Annulment Consultations: John Mackoway (309-699-5213)
- Parish Council: Connie Burek, Michelle La Barre, Tracy Schendl, Karen Cote, Rick Picl, Matt Wigginton, John Meisinger, Bob Stuart, Nicole Taylor, Jody Maske, Kurt Becker, Kate Crim (staff), Beth Salmon (ex officio), Matt Vonachen (ex officio)
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Thomas is led by the Director of Faith Formation (Kate Crim) and the CCD Coordinator (Liz Plaskon). Children in public school attend CCD classes weekly on Wednesdays during the school year at St. Thomas School, with attendance required for two years prior to sacramental preparation. OCIA (formerly RCIA) classes for adults and older children run on Wednesdays from 7:00–8:00 pm in the parish hall (basement of the church) beginning after Labor Day and running through Easter, concluding with Baptism or Profession of Faith at the Easter Vigil. Adult enrichment sessions meet Tuesdays at 7:00 pm, and the Re-Membering program welcomes Catholics returning to the Church.
- OCIA (Becoming Catholic) – Wed 7:00–8:00 pm, parish hall, Labor Day through Easter
- RCIC for children age 7–8 — parallel program to OCIA
- CCD Grades 1–8 — Wednesdays during the school year, St. Thomas School
- Adult Education / enrichment — Tuesdays 7:00 pm, lower level of the church
- Bible Study
- Re-Membering program for returning Catholics
- Online OCIA recordings on the parish YouTube channel
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School serves PreK through Grade 8 at 4229 N. Monroe Avenue, Peoria Heights. The 2024–2025 enrollment was 314 students. The principal is Mrs. Maureen Bentley. The parish subsidizes tuition through Sunday contributions, and the Msgr. William Watson Scholarship Fund provides additional tuition assistance, alongside the Sponsor-a-Student collection. The school has expanded multiple times — 1942 (four classrooms), 1945, 1953, 1957, the 1961 convent wing, the 1995 library/classroom/gym/cafeteria addition, and 2018 security upgrades. Catholic and non-Catholic students are welcome.
- Grades: PreK–8
- 2024–2025 enrollment: 314
- Principal: Mrs. Maureen Bentley
- Msgr. William Watson Scholarship Fund (since 2006)
- Sponsor-a-Student collection
- 2018 security upgrades and food pantry relocation
Outreach and Parish Ministries
Beyond the school, the parish runs a food pantry (relocated in 2018 as part of school security upgrades), a Parish Nurse ministry, annulment consultations through John Mackoway, the annual St. Thomas Benefit Auction, and a Music Ministry under Music Director Nathalie Corbett. The parish encourages electronic giving via text (text 'Give' to (309) 455-5425) and the ConnectNow Giving app, and offers weekly bulletin emails and push notifications through the My Parish App.
- Parish Food Pantry (relocated 2018)
- Parish Nurse (Mary Clare Geraghty per older bulletin)
- Annulment Consultations — John Mackoway
- St. Thomas Benefit Auction
- Music Ministry / Choir (Nathalie Corbett)
- Text giving: text 'Give' to (309) 455-5425
- ConnectNow Giving app
- My Parish App for push notifications
- Weekly bulletin emails via [email protected]
- YouTube channel for archived Masses and OCIA classes
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist through OCIA and RCIC; Penance on Saturday afternoons; Anointing of the Sick; Marriage; Holy Orders / Religious Life (referenced in OCIA curriculum); and Funeral rites. Annulment consultations are offered locally through John Mackoway (309-699-5213).
- Baptism / Confirmation / Eucharist — through OCIA & RCIC
- Penance — Saturdays 4:00–4:45 pm and 6:00 pm
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage preparation
- Holy Orders / Religious Life (referenced in OCIA)
- Funerals
- Annulment Consultations — John Mackoway
Visit, Giving, and Contact
Visitors are welcome at any Mass or for Saturday Confession. The church is at 904 E. Lake Avenue, Peoria Heights, IL 61616, and a parking map is available on the website under 'Maps and Directions.' Those wishing to contribute can do so electronically by texting 'Give' to (309) 455-5425 or via the ConnectNow Giving app. The My Parish App (myparishapp.com/download) sends push notifications and weekly announcements.
- Address: 904 E. Lake Avenue, Peoria Heights, IL 61616
- Phone: (309) 688-3446
- Email: [email protected]
- Text giving: 'Give' to (309) 455-5425
- ConnectNow Giving app for saved payment methods
- My Parish App for notifications
- YouTube channel for archived Masses and OCIA
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father M. P. Sammon1924–1937
Pastor of St. Bernard Parish who founded the Mission of St. Thomas; purchased the former Herbstrith's café for worship in 1924 and the future church/school lot in 1927.
- Monsignor Bernard Rank1937–1981
First pastor after elevation to parish status in 1937 with 100 families; opened the school in 1942, oversaw construction of the 1940 church, the 1953 school building, gym, cafeteria and convent wing; retired at age 81 in 1981; passed away March 25, 1983.
- Monsignor William Watson1981–2015
Second pastor; served 34 years; oversaw the 1995 school addition ('I make all things new'); completed the new church dedicated October 6, 2002; the Monsignor Watson Scholarship Fund endowment was established in 2006 in his honor; retired at age 79.
- Monsignor Jason A. Gray, J.C.D.2015–
Named third pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in 2015; also serves as Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Peoria (Episcopal Vicar).
- Father Johndamaseni Zilimucurrent (parish directory)
Listed as Pastor on the parish's current Directory page; succeeded Monsignor Gray on the parish directory.