Sts. Peter and Paul (see also Holy Cross, Mendota and St Theresa, Earlville for additional times of Masses, etc).

Parish Identity & Merger into Sts. Isidore and Maria Parish

Sts. Peter and Paul is one of three worship sites of Sts. Isidore and Maria Parish, a merged Catholic parish in north-central Illinois. Bishop Louis Tylka of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria mandated the merger of Holy Cross Parish (Mendota), Sts. Peter and Paul Parish (Peterstown), and St. Theresa Parish (Earlville) in May 2024, and the combined parish officially took effect on May 15, 2025. The parish is located about 80 miles southwest of Chicago among the corn fields of north-central Illinois. Holy Cross Church sits within the city limits of Mendota; Sts. Peter and Paul sits four miles southwest of Mendota in Peterstown; St. Theresa sits in Earlville, about 13 miles east of Mendota. Holy Cross School (K–8), the parish Catholic elementary school, is located immediately adjacent to Holy Cross Church. The parish mission is 'to help all people live out and understand the relevance and priority of Jesus Christ and His Gospel in the Catholic Faith.'

History of Sts. Peter and Paul (Peterstown)

The parish traces its origins to 1853, when Rev. Joseph Patchowski, S.J., a Jesuit priest traveling from Corpus Christi, Newport, offered the first Holy Masses at the homes of Frank Bezold and Joseph Goetz. The first log church and school were built under Father Voll, and the first winter Catholic school was opened in September 1857 and conducted in German by Mr. Silbersack. In August 1864 Bishop Carrell appointed Rev. John Stephany as the first resident pastor; the brick church that replaced the original log structure was completed under the Benedictine Fathers in 1866 and blessed by Rev. Gabriel Guerster, O.S.B., in the spring of 1867, at which point the parish adopted the name Sts. Peter and Paul. The cornerstone of the present larger church was laid on August 17, 1898, during the pastorate of Rev. Clement Keller (1888–1905), and Bishop Maes dedicated the church and blessed its bell in 1899.

• 1853 — first Masses offered in parishioners' homes; first log church and school built under Father Voll
• 1857 — first full-time Catholic school opens, taught in German
• 1864 — Rev. John Stephany becomes first resident pastor; brick church construction begins
• 1867 — brick church blessed under the patronage of Sts. Peter and Paul by Rev. Gabriel Guerster, O.S.B.
• 1877–1881 — Reverend Meiwes builds a new school
• 1898 — cornerstone of present church laid under Rev. Clement Keller
• 1899 — Bishop Maes dedicates the church and blesses its bell
• May 15, 2025 — parish merged into Sts. Isidore and Maria Parish

Clergy & Staff

The parish is led by Father Gregory E. Nelson, who has served as pastor of the Mendota-area Catholic parishes since 2024 and of the merged Sts. Isidore and Maria Parish since its formation in May 2025. Father Joseph Domfe, SMA, has served as Parochial Vicar (reassignment effective July 1, 2026, per the Diocese of Peoria's 2026 announcements). Three deacons — Hector Diaz, Raymond Fischer, and Jose Lopez — minister alongside the priests. Lorraine Walter serves as Business Manager. The parish office is reachable at (815) 538-6151.

• Father Gregory E. Nelson — Pastor (ordained May 24, 1997; born Peoria, IL; prior assignments include Holy Trinity Bloomington, St. Philomena Monticello, St. Michael Bement, St. Paul Danville, and St. Mary Bloomington)
• Father Joseph Domfe, SMA — Parochial Vicar (reassignment effective July 1, 2026)
• Deacon Hector Diaz
• Deacon Raymond Fischer
• Deacon Jose Lopez
• Lorraine Walter — Business Manager (office (815) 538-6151; cell (815) 910-0109)

Faith Formation: CCD & Holy Cross School

The parish provides Catholic religious education for children of all ages. CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) is the religious-education and sacramental-preparation program for public-school students in Grades 1–8 and for high-school students who have not yet received Confirmation. Classes meet Wednesday evenings during the school year. Registration for the 2026–2027 CCD year runs from Wednesday, May 6, 2026, through Friday, August 14, 2026, with a required parent meeting on Wednesday, August 19, and the first night of classes on Wednesday, August 26. The first night of CCD classes for the 2025–2026 school year was Wednesday, August 27. To receive First Confession, First Communion, or Confirmation, a student must attend CCD for two consecutive years. Holy Cross School is the parish's K–8 Catholic elementary school, located immediately adjacent to Holy Cross Church on Jefferson Street in Mendota.

• CCD Registration window 2026–2027: May 6, 2026 – August 14, 2026
• Required CCD Parent Meeting: Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM, Holy Cross School Gym
• First CCD class night: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
• Two-year attendance requirement for First Confession, First Communion, and Confirmation
• Holy Cross School (K–8), adjacent to Holy Cross Church, 1010 Jefferson Street, Mendota

Sacraments

The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptism is required before any other sacrament; families wishing to baptize a child may contact Carmen Correa at (815) 993-4823 to begin arrangements. First Confession and First Holy Communion are typically received during the elementary years through Holy Cross School or the CCD program. Youth Confirmation is prepared in 8th-grade religion classes (Holy Cross School or CCD) and is conferred during the fall semester of the student's freshman year of high school. Adults prepare for Confirmation through the parish RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), which meets Sunday mornings, and are received into full communion at the Easter Vigil. The Director of Religious Education, Brian Corrigan, can be reached through the Parish Office at (815) 538-6151.

• Baptism — contact Carmen Correa, (815) 993-4823
• First Confession — prepared through Holy Cross School or CCD
• First Holy Communion — prepared through Holy Cross School or CCD
• Confirmation (youth) — 8th-grade preparation; received fall of freshman year
• Confirmation (adult) — RCIA on Sunday mornings; received at the Easter Vigil
• Director of Religious Education: Brian Corrigan, (815) 538-6151

Worship Ministries & Volunteer Life

The Worship Ministries page of the parish website lists coordinators across the parish's liturgical and volunteer ministries, reflecting a strongly lay-led parish life. Roy VanOpdorp serves as Music Director. Volunteer and scheduling coordinators include John McCauley (815-866-6592), Margy Frey (815-228-9949), Kay Brunoehler, Brian Corrigan (815-910-6068), Tom Heitmann (training coordinator, 630-918-9664), Mary Lou Flahive (scheduling coordinator, 815-538-6151), and Maureen Hanson (scheduling coordinator, 815-739-5503). Knights of Columbus is also active across the merged parish.

• Music Director: Roy VanOpdorp — (309) 854-2719
• Volunteer Coordinators: John McCauley, Margy Frey, Kay Brunoehler, Brian Corrigan, Tom Heitmann
• Scheduling Coordinators: Mary Lou Flahive, Maureen Hanson
• Knights of Columbus council serving the parish family

Visiting & Contact

Sts. Peter and Paul Church is located at 3888 E. First Road, Mendota, IL 61342 (also referenced as 3888 First Road; one set of directions notes the church is 'one mile West of Route 251 at 39th Rd.'). The parish office — Holy Cross Parish Office — is at 1010 Jefferson Street, Mendota, IL 61342, and is open Monday through Friday, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, for registration assistance and walk-in visitors. Phone: (815) 538-6151. Fax: (815) 539-5014. The unified parish website is mendotacatholic.org, which serves all three worship sites.

• Sts. Peter and Paul Church — 3888 E. First Road, Mendota, IL 61342
• Parish Office — 1010 Jefferson Street, Mendota, IL 61342
• Phone — (815) 538-6151
• Fax — (815) 539-5014
• Office Hours — Monday–Friday, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Website — mendotacatholic.org