St. Juan Diego Parish (Archdiocese of St. Louis)
| St. Juan Diego Parish | |
 | |
| Dedication: | Saint Juan Diego |
| Venerated Saints: | Our Lady of Guadalupe (closely associated, with statue and feast celebrations) |
| Diocese: | Archdiocese of St. Louis |
| Deanery: | Not specified in available sources |
| Address: | 1400 N Main St, O'Fallon, MO 63366 |
| Coordinates: | 38.83044, -90.69906 |
| City: | O'Fallon, MO |
| Subdivision: | Missouri |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | St. Charles County |
| Website: | https://saintjuandiegostl.org |
| Founded: | 2023 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | Not publicly detailed in available sources |
St. Juan Diego Parish is a personal parish in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, established specifically to serve the pastoral needs of Spanish-speaking Catholics (primarily Hispanic/Latino communities) in St. Charles County, Lincoln County, and Warren County, Missouri. Founded in 2023 as part of the archdiocese's "All Things New" reorganization plan announced by Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski in May 2023, it functions as a non-territorial parish focused on evangelization, cultural heritage preservation, and catechesis in the Spanish language.[1]
The parish currently holds its Masses and activities at St. Barnabas the Apostle Church (1400 N Main St, O'Fallon, MO 63366), a modern, single-story brick structure typical of mid-20th to late-20th-century suburban American Catholic parish architecture. The building features a central double-door entryway under a simple projecting canopy or gabled portico, a modest square bell tower or steeple topped with a cross, large rectangular or arched windows (likely clear or lightly tinted glass), and a gabled roof with dark shingles. The grounds include a paved parking lot, modest lawn, and small landscaping, presenting a clean, functional, and welcoming appearance without elaborate ornamentation.[2]
Two Spanish-language Sunday Masses are offered at 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., plus an English Mass at 9:00 a.m., with average attendance around 420 people across the Spanish Masses. Founding pastor Father Eric Olsen emphasizes family-integrated catechesis, charismatic prayer groups, and cultural celebrations. The parish strongly honors its patron, Saint Juan Diego (feast December 9), and especially Our Lady of Guadalupe (feast December 12), with processions, Rosary, food, dancing, and community events.[3]
As a newly established personal parish without a dedicated building as of the latest available information (early 2025), it relies on shared facilities at St. Barnabas Church, with growth supported through evangelization and ministry development.
History
St. Juan Diego Parish was erected in 2023 under the Archdiocese of St. Louis's All Things New initiative, which consolidated and restructured parishes to address pastoral needs amid priest shortages and demographic changes. Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski designated it as a personal parish for Hispanic-language and heritage Catholics in the region, effective August 2023.[4]
Father Eric Olsen was appointed founding pastor, beginning Masses at St. Barnabas Church in O'Fallon. The community has grown through outreach, with programs like weekly family catechesis (before the 11 a.m. Mass), charismatic renewal prayer groups (twice monthly on Saturdays), and cultural dance troupes preserving Latin American traditions. The parish draws families from diverse Hispanic backgrounds and continues to expand as of early 2025 reports.[5]
No permanent church construction or major facilities are documented; the parish operates from the existing St. Barnabas site.
Special features
- Personal parish for Spanish-speaking/Hispanic Catholics, with emphasis on evangelization, family catechesis, and cultural integration.[6]
- Annual Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12) celebrations, including Rosary, Mass, processions, food, and dancing.[7]
- Weekly family catechesis program combining parents and children.[8]
- Charismatic renewal prayer groups.[9]
Relics
No specific information about notable first-, second-, or third-class relics, reliquaries, or special relic shrines is available from parish sources, diocesan records, or public descriptions. As a newly established parish using shared facilities (St. Barnabas Church), it is unlikely to have prominent or dedicated relics at this time. Standard liturgical practice for altars may apply, but this cannot be confirmed.
Architecture
The parish does not yet have a dedicated church building. Masses and activities are held at St. Barnabas the Apostle Church (1400 N Main St, O'Fallon, MO 63366), a territorial parish facility in suburban O'Fallon. The exterior is a modern, functional brick structure with a central double-door entrance under a modest canopy, large windows for natural light, a low-profile square bell tower topped with a cross, and a gabled roof. The building lacks elaborate ornamentation, reflecting typical post-Vatican II suburban parish design in the American Midwest—practical, welcoming, and community-oriented.[10]
External features
- Predominantly brick façade (red or tan tones) with light mortar joints.
- Central entrance with double doors and projecting canopy/portico.
- Modest square bell tower or steeple with cross.
- Large rectangular or arched windows along the sides and front.
- Surrounding paved parking lot, lawn, and minimal landscaping.
Interior features
No publicly available interior photos or detailed descriptions are visible in Google Maps imagery or other accessible sources. The sanctuary and nave are used for Spanish Masses, with mention of a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe present for devotion, but no verified details on altars, pews, stained glass, or other furnishings exist in public records.[11]
Associated spaces include a parish hall for catechesis and events.
Art and Devotional Features
Publicly available information on interior artwork remains very limited, as the parish is recent and shares facilities. Devotions center on Saint Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Stained Glass Windows
No specific details on stained glass windows, subjects, or presence are documented in available sources.
Statues and Sculptures
A statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe is used for prayer and devotions, particularly during feast celebrations.[12] No other statues or sculptures are described or visible in public imagery.
Other Artwork
No further details on paintings, mosaics, icons, murals, or dedicated devotional areas are available.
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Related parishes
Nearby or related parishes in the O'Fallon area within the Archdiocese of St. Louis may include St. Barnabas the Apostle (current host facility) and other territorial parishes serving the region. Specific additional personal or national parishes for Hispanic communities are not listed in available sources.
External links
- [Official parish website](https://saintjuandiegostl.org)
- Archdiocese of St. Louis parishes directory: https://www.archstl.org/parishes
References
- ↑ According to the St. Louis Review (stlouisreview.com, March 14, 2025) and Archdiocese of St. Louis parish listings (archstl.org, as of 2024–2025).
- ↑ Based on publicly available user-uploaded photos and Street View imagery from Google Maps for the location at 1400 N Main St, O'Fallon, MO 63366, as of January 2026.
- ↑ St. Louis Review (March 14, 2025); parish website mass times (saintjuandiegostl.org).
- ↑ Archdiocesan announcements and St. Louis Review (March 14, 2025).
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ St. Louis Review.
- ↑ Ibid.; parish mentions of statue devotion.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Based on publicly available user-uploaded photos and Street View imagery from Google Maps for the location, as of January 2026.
- ↑ St. Louis Review (2025) mentions prayer before a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe after Mass; no visual confirmation available.
- ↑ St. Louis Review description of parishioners praying before the statue.