The history of All Saints Catholic Parish and School dates back over two centuries, beginning in 1815 when a group of Catholics in the St. Peters area started meeting to pray and work together. By 1823, this congregation, primarily made up of French and French-Canadian settlers, began formally gathering in a modest log house on the east side of the creek. This church was called St. Peter Church, but frequent flooding of the creek made it difficult for many parishioners to attend. In 1834, the parish built a new church on the west side of the creek. As German immigrants began settling in the area, the parish grew, leading to the founding of new parishes in nearby towns like Old Monroe, Josephville, O'Fallon, and Cottleville.
To accommodate this expanding congregation, the parish built a larger church in 1855-1856, on a hill where the parish still stands today. In 1856, the name of the church was changed to All Saints Church. By 1874, the parish had grown to nearly 125 families, prompting the construction of a new church, which was completed in 1876. The church's interior was finished by 1882, under the leadership of Fr. Nicholas Staudinger and Fr. Conrad Rotter. Over the years, the parish continued to thrive, acquiring property for an annual picnic in 1880 and expanding its buildings, including a rectory in 1903 and a convent in 1915.
The history of All Saints Catholic School is closely tied to the development of the parish. The first known school at All Saints dates back to the Civil War era. In 1863, the parish built a new brick rectory, and the old rectory was repurposed for use as a school with Rudolph Reinken serving as the first teacher from 1863 to 1865. In 1870, a new brick school building was constructed, featuring four classrooms on the first floor and living quarters for the religious sisters who would teach there on the second floor. In 1871, the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, Indiana, arrived to teach at All Saints Catholic School, marking the beginning of a long tradition of religious orders teaching at the school. In 1878, the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, based in O'Fallon, Missouri, took over, and they would teach at All Saints for more than a century.
In 1897, Bardo Weinert, a prosperous parishioner, left land and money for the benefit of All Saints Catholic School in his will. His widow, Teresa Weinert, continued her generosity with significant donations to the parish, including stained glass windows for the church and the steeple in 1916. By 1919, All Saints Catholic School had nearly 50 years of history and needed expansion. The price of wheat during World War I provided the financial means for the construction of a new school. On May 11, 1919, the cornerstone was laid for what remains the main part of the school today. When completed, the building measured 115 feet long and 51 feet wide.
The new school featured a chapel on the second floor, which later became the school library. The chapel had stained-glass windows dedicated to two young soldiers who died from the 1918-1920 influenza pandemic. The school also had a top floor that included a large auditorium and stage, which was used for parish plays and events. In 1921, All Saints launched a two-year high school, consisting of ninth and tenth grades, which continued until 1947. The basement of the school contained meeting rooms and a large cafeteria, along with a coal bin and furnace to heat the church and school.
The church and school continued to grow in both size and community involvement throughout the 20th century. In the late 1950’s and 1960s, the parish population peaked, briefly exceeding 1,500 families. To accommodate the growing number of students, new classrooms were added during this time. In 1959, an addition to the school included a new school office and art room, which had originally served as the kitchen for the cafeteria. A second expansion in 1962 created space for junior high classrooms, and in 1977, a larger expansion added six classrooms. The long-awaited gymnasium was completed in 1989, along with the Parish Center.
The church also experienced a renewal of leadership with pastors such as Fr. Louis Kertz, Fr. Robert Argent, Fr. Ron Chochol, and Fr. Michael Henning. Fr. Donald Wester, who served from 2005 until 2024, played a significant role in guiding the parish into the modern era. In 2008, a new rectory was completed on the site of the former convent, marking another milestone in All Saint’s history. In 2024, Fr. John Schneier began his service as the Parochial Administrator, continuing the long legacy of a parish and school that has been an anchor in the community for over 200 years.
All Saints Catholic School has always been an integral part of this legacy, providing a Catholic education that has shaped generations of students. The dedication of the religious sisters, the generosity of parishioners like Bardo and Teresa Weinert, and the support of the entire community have ensured that All Saints remains a vibrant school and parish. Today, All Saints stands as a unique blend of the old and the new, with a rich history that reflects the values of Catholic education and service.