HISTORY
St. Clare Parish was founded in O’Fallon, Illinois, more than 150 years ago to serve the needs of our fledgling town’s 40 Catholics. Fr. Anton Rustige, whose residency was in Lebanon, Illinois, celebrated the first Mass in our parish’s earliest church building on December 29, 1867. With the creation of a permanent pastoral residence in 1868, St. Clare Parish was formally established under the care of Fr. Theodore Kamann. He also established St. Clare School and served as its initial teacher.
Through the years, St. Clare Church has stood as a physical and spiritual landmark in our community. The historic red brick structure in downtown O’Fallon, with its soaring steeple and sturdy bell, housed our parish’s worship from 1895 until 2007. It continues to serve the needs of our school as a chapel for daily Masses and prayer services.
In 2001, Mr. Louis Rasp, a long-time parishioner, donated 20 acres of land for the construction of a new church to meet the needs of our growing parish. Our current church building, dedicated in September 2007, now serves about 1,000 households. Much as our former church, it is a visual landmark that witnesses to the strong and faithful Catholic presence in our community.
Our new church recalls the design of the Basilica of St. Clare in Assisi, Italy. Inside, parishioners and visitors alike find welcoming spaces for prayer and quiet contemplation as well as lively, joy-filled celebration. Be it hushed Taize prayer or glorious performances by the region’s Masterworks Chorale, St. Clare revels in celebrating the beauty of God’s creation. And week after week, our Sunday liturgies inspire all to lead Christ-centered lives.
Our parish also honors the Franciscan tradition in our dedication to Earth-friendly, environmentally respectful practices. From our cutting-edge geothermal heating and cooling system to our commitment to recycling, St. Clare Parish takes to heart our patroness’ call to live simply and mindfully. Our parish gardeners enhance our grounds with beautiful blooms and our tables with bountiful produce all summer long.
In addition to providing a beautiful environment for prayer and fellowship, our church and adjacent facilities help us to offer more than 80 ministries for people to grow in their faith. Hundreds of our members serve in liturgical and support ministries, volunteer their time in Christian formation and participate in evangelization and social justice activities. For example, St. Clare parishioners help stock O’Fallon’s food pantry, feed families in East St. Louis, and partner with other regional congregations to promote just causes.
The words of our Mission Statement best express the journey our founders set upon, and we continue on:
We, the people of St. Clare Catholic Parish, in the Diocese of Belleville,are called by God in baptism to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Centered in the Eucharist, and strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we strive to live the Gospel and further the reign of God. We do this by creating a vibrant faith community, by actively promoting justice and evangelization, and by using our gifts in the service of God’s people, to give God glory and reverence all of Creation.
Pastors
1858-1862 Fr. August Reineke
1862-1866 Fr. Clement Sieghardt
1866-1868 Fr. Anton Rustige
1868-1870 Fr. Theodore Kamann
1870-1915 Fr. William Drube
1915-1919 Fr. Henry Muenster
1919-1930 Fr. Anthony Powell
1931-1962 Fr. John Goelz
1962-1981 Fr. Edmund Lugge
1982-1994 Fr. Donald Eichenseer
1994-1996 Fr. Steven Unverferth
1996-Present Fr. James Deiters