Holy Trinity Parish, Springfield, MO

History

To serve the growing Catholic population in southeast Springfield, Holy Trinity Parish was founded with Fr. Richard Rolwing as first pastor. The Elks Lodge, ten blocks west of the present location, was used for liturgical celebrations and religion classes for the 325 families until the church building was dedicated in 1969 by Bishop Ignatius Strecker.

Fr. Mark Ernstmann was appointed second pastor in 1972. Under his leadership and previous experience as Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools, the Parish School of Religion flourished. Fr. Thomas Allen was appointed pastor in August 1977. A year later, a parish gymnasium/social center and seven classrooms were built and dedicated by Bishop Bernard Law on May 11, 1979. Fr. Paul McLoughlin was appointed fourth pastor in 1987. Continued generosity of the parishioners enabled the mortgage on the church and additions to be paid off several years ahead of schedule.

Bernard Law on May 11, 1979. Fr. Paul McLoughlin was appointed fourth pastor in 1987. Continued generosity of the parishioners enabled the mortgage on the church and additions to be paid off several years ahead of schedule.

Continuing growth of the parish greeted its fifth pastor, Msgr. Thomas Reidy, in 1991. This precipitated a multiple-phase building plant, which included demolition and rebuilding of the chapel, the addition of four new classrooms, a new Parish Ministry Center, new parish offices, and a new rectory. A Prayer Garden with Stations of the Cross was included. Bishop John Leibrecht dedicated the buildings on Nov. 3, 1996 and Sept. 9, 2001.

The parish has doubled in size, counting 750 families as members. There are 215 students in the K-12 Parish School of Religion. Another 110 children attend Catholic schools. The parish boasts a 40-person choir and a slightly smaller contemporary choir, a Parish Council of Catholic Women, Men’s Club, Knights of Columbus, Health Ministry, Youth Group, Liturgy Committee, and several women’s guilds.

Parishioners also participate in Springfield Council of Churches’ activities, Habitat for Humanity, The Kitchen, and St. Vincent de Paul Society. In 2003, parishioners helped finance the construction of 60 homes in Nicaragua through the Rainbow Network.

The parish family comes together to celebrate and socialize during annual events: the Christmas Dinner, St. Patrick’s Day Dinner, Easter Sunday Brunch, and the parish picnic. Fr. Fergus Monaghan was appointed pastor Aug. 18, 2004.

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