Who We Are

About Us
About Us

St. Mary Parish is a welcoming community, bonded together by Catholic faith, serving God and one another. 

In God's name, we break bread together, we share joys and sorrows together, we have parish fun together and we long to see Christ in the faces of everyone during our various celebrations. Together, we have built a welcoming community, bounded by faith where Christ is the center of our lives, worships, works and fellowships. 

Reverend Steve Sabo and I appreciate you, our friends and supporters of our parish mission. May God bless you and keep you always in His love. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. "Many Blessings, One Family of God!" 

Much love and prayers,

Rev. Sylvester A Nnaso, M.A., D. Min., Parochial Administrator 

Beloved Sons & Daughters of the Virgin Mother Mary,

Our Holy Mother Mary is the "shortcut" to Jesus and the perfect "mold of Jesus Christ!" Confident in her Motherly intercession we pray every day: "Blessed is the fruit of they womb Jesus!" With our "God bearer" (i.e, Theotokus) we dare to say: "O Mother of the word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in Thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen" So be it...yes we believe it, in order to receive..." the Blessed Fruit of (Her) womb Jesus, worthily and often in the most Holy Eucharist. Here at St. Mary's we invite everyone to draw close and see the goodness of the Lord!" May we pray every day: "Help us, O Virgin Mother most powerful to love your Son more than the day before!" 

In Mother Mary's Immaculate Heart,

Rev. Steven M. Sabo, Parochial Vicar 

Stained Glass Scriptures

Discover the Scriptures brought to life through the beauty and symbolism of our stained glass windows.

The Early History of St. Mary Parish

The Early History of St. Mary Parish

Until 1894, the German Catholics in McHenry were dependent upon the parish at Johnsburg for services in their own language. German missionaries on their way to the church of St. John the Baptist in Johnsburg would stop in McHenry to care for the Germans there. During the time of Fr. Hubert M. Fegers, who came to Johnsburg in 1868, the German community here was considered a mission of the parish. 

In 1894, Fr. Frederick J. Kirsch (1894-1901), a German speaking priest, was appointed the first resident pastor of St. Mary Parish, McHenry. He offered the first Mass at St. Mary’s on August 15, 1894, in a building which had been used as a public school. Soon after Fr. Kirsch’s arrival, he made plans to build the present St. Mary Church. Dedication of the church took place on the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, 1898, just four years from the date of the first Mass celebrated by Fr. Kirsch. 

After a suitable place of worship was built, priority was placed on a parish school. Classes could be conducted in the old school building. Atmosphere was not essential, learning was.

Strengthened Through Service and Sacrifice

Strengthened Through Service and Sacrifice

The School Sisters of St. Francis operated the district school in Johnsburg and their services were requested for McHenry. They continued to administer the educational program through the years, but left the parish in the early 2000’s. 

During the pastorate of Fr. Edward Berthold (1915-1921), tragedy struck the parish in 1917 when fire heavily damaged the church and destroyed the rectory. The church was repaired, but the parish got along without a rectory until Fr. Charles S. Nix (1921-1960) became pastor on August 10, 1921, the first day of what was to become 39 years of service to the parish. 

Fr. Nix, who was named a Monsignor in 1935, supervised the immediate construction of a new rectory. In 1937, Msgr. Nix built a new school building, which was to serve as a community school for the children of St. Mary and St. Patrick parishes until 1951 when the people of St. Patrick’s built their own school. Bishop Edward F. Hoban dedicated the new school on November 7, 1937. In 1956, Msgr. Nix added four classrooms and a gymnasium to the growing parish school. 

For at least 30 years, the parish enjoyed the services of Benedictines from Marmion Abbey for much needed assistance on weekends, holy days and at the holiday seasons.

Generations of Faithful Service

Generations of Faithful Service

St. Mary Parish celebrated its diamond jubilee of the founding of the parish during Masses of Thanksgiving on Sunday, September 21, 1969. The pastor, Fr. Baumhofer, also celebrated 25 years in the priesthood on that day. To mark the jubilee, extensive renovation of the church and the St. Mary Chapel (the church basement) was carried out. 

In 1970, St. Mary and St. Patrick consolidated their parish schools to form Montini Primary Center and Montini Middle School. In 1989, the Church of Holy Apostles School consolidated with St. Mary and St. Patrick. 

The rectory was refurbished and plans were made for the conversion of St. Mary Chapel to St. Mary Family Hall in 1993 under the pastorate of Fr. Thomas E. Burr (1991-2006). 

Fr. Robert Balog, who retired in 2014, served as Pastor from 2004-2014. 

Fr. David Austin was the pastor from 2014-2024

Rev. Sylvester A. Nnaso is the Parochial Administrator and Rev. Steven Sabo is the Parochial Vicar. There are approximately 400 registered families.