A West State Street Parish Rooted in 1937
St. Mary's sits on West State Street in Boise, Idaho, where it has anchored the lives of Catholic families west of the river since 1937. Formally named Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, the parish belongs to the Diocese of Boise and draws more than 1,200 registered families from across the city. It is one of the most recognizable Catholic communities in the Treasure Valley, both for the scale of its bilingual life and for the art that fills the renovated sanctuary.
The parish's mission statement names the heart of that life: "Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, we exist to help people encounter and know Jesus Christ, to be healed and restored to a life of joy and peace." St. Mary's has worked hard to be one multi-cultural community with active participation among its English-speaking and Spanish-speaking members, and that bilingual character shapes nearly everything the parish does, from the Sunday schedule to the food bank out back.
The Founding of the Parish and the 2009 Renovation
In the spring of 1937, the late Bishop Edward J. Kelly and his advisors determined that a new parish was needed in Boise to serve the 200 Catholic families living west of Fifteenth Street. The only Catholic parish in the city at the time was St. John's Cathedral, so Bishop Kelly divided it with Fifteenth Street as the border and created St. Mary's on May 1, 1937, with the formal title of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception. The new parish territory stretched south across the river all the way to the Ada County line and included most of what would later become Sacred Heart, all of what would become Saint Mark's, and much of what would become Holy Apostles.
Bishop Kelly's first site choice was at Sixteenth and State Street, but a grocer, Joe Albertson, bought the land before the diocese could. Albertson built his first grocery store there. The new church ended up a few blocks west, an Old English style building with two facing entrances and seating for 400, its interior and exterior walls left as uncovered red clinker brick, with wooden details throughout and no basement. The total cost was $34,000. Fr. J. A. Jentes was named the first pastor but had to resign on October 25, 1937, because of ill health. Bishop Kelly then appointed Fr. John J. Creegan, later Monsignor Creegan, who led St. Mary's for 37 years until his death in 1974. The new church was dedicated on December 19, 1937, and the program for that day is still quoted at the parish: "Saint Mary's Church stands completed, stately and magnificent in its construction, attractive and inviting in its finish - a grand new home reared to the honor and glory of the King of Kings."
By 1962, the parish's Silver Jubilee, 500 families belonged to St. Mary's. St. Mary's School, built in 1948 and opened in 1949, was staffed by Benedictine Sisters from the Priory of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, Idaho, and enrolled 396 students. In 1957, on the 20th anniversary, the church sanctuary was remodeled and refurbished. In 1962, the Vatican II instruction asked parishes to move the altar so the priest could face the people; at St. Mary's this was completed in 1975, along with the removal of the communion rail, the installation of new carpet, and the conversion of the choir loft into a cry room. The unfinished basement was finished in 1978, increasing usable space. In 1986 the old St. John the Baptist stained glass window was installed behind the ceiling after two years of work by parish member Phil Boerner. After Vatican II, the laity of St. Mary's took on responsibilities as Eucharistic ministers, lectors, and greeters, and on April 20, 1967, the first St. Mary's Parish Council met, the first parish council in the state of Idaho.
As far back as the 1960s, parishioners recognized the need for meeting rooms, restrooms, and a better liturgical space. In 1968, Monsignor Creegan appointed a building committee, and for years a variety of plans were examined. By 2003, after a series of parish meetings, it was clear that the parish wanted change without moving the building itself. The final plan expanded and renovated the church, brought seating to 700, brought the building into accordance with Vatican II standards, and added, for the first time in 70 years, functioning restrooms. Dedicated in 2009, the renovated church is now nationally and internationally known for its outstanding art. It remains, in the words of the original dedication, "a grand new home reared to the honor and glory of the King of Kings" and his mother, Mary.
Mass and Confession Times
St. Mary's runs a full weekly schedule that includes weekend Masses in both English and Spanish, weekday Masses Tuesday through Friday, and a regular Saturday afternoon confession hour.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm in English and 7:00 pm in Spanish
- Sunday: 8:30 am and 10:45 am in English, and 12:45 pm in Spanish
- Weekday Masses: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 8:30 am
- Confession: Saturday from 3:30 to 4:30 pm, or by appointment
Mass intentions are published through a separate calendar, and the parish livestreams services on YouTube so that the homebound, the traveling, and the sick can stay connected to the community.
The Sanctuary and What a First-Time Visitor Will Notice
First-time visitors are welcomed to Mass and pointed toward the parking lot on the far west side of the property, with a few additional spaces in front of and behind the school building. Inside, the sanctuary is the work that grew out of the 2009 dedication, and parishioners take quiet pride in the fact that the building is now studied for its art by people from across the country and around the world. The aesthetic of the church is traditional Roman Catholic and liturgical, in keeping with the parish's place in the Diocese of Boise.
For visitors who are not Catholic, the parish makes the experience easy. Worship aids in each pew provide the order of Mass, the postures, and the words to each prayer, and ushers will bring one to anyone who cannot find one. Visitors are encouraged to follow the lead of the parishioners around them. Because Catholics believe that the host is literally the Body of Christ, those who are not Catholic are asked not to receive Communion; instead, anyone who wishes may come forward with arms crossed over the chest to receive a blessing.
The dress code is intentionally relaxed. Sandals, shorts, and a shirt are common in summer, and "Sunday best" is welcome too. The parish asks only that shorts be of a conservative length and that clothing in general be respectable and conservative. Visitors are not expected to put anything in the offering, and the collection basket can simply pass them by.
The Seven Sacraments, from Baptism to Anointing
St. Mary's prepares families and individuals for every sacrament of the Catholic Church, and the parish's description of each sacrament is unusually rich and pastoral.
Baptism is celebrated as the first of the three sacraments of initiation, making the baptized a member of God's family. The parish teaches that baptism is also the first sacrament of reconciliation, forgiving all prior sin and original sin, and the word itself comes from the Greek baptizein, meaning "plunge" or "immerse," signifying burial into Christ's death and rising with him as a new creature. For children under the age of eight, baptism requires parental permission and a preparation class; for adults and children over the age of eight, preparation takes place through the Rite of Christian Initiation. Spanish-language baptisms are held on the last Saturday of each month at 9 am, in coordination with Fr. Jesus, and sponsors are expected to have received Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation themselves.
First Communion and First Reconciliation are prepared together over a single school year. The program begins each fall in September and runs through First Communion Mass the following May. Classes meet on Sunday mornings from 9:35 to 10:35 am in St. Mary's School, between the two morning English Masses, so families can attend Mass either before or after class. Youth in 2nd through 4th grade learn Catholic prayers and practices, make their first confession during the year of preparation, and receive First Communion at a special Mass in May.
Confirmation is open to anyone over the age of 14, with preparation beginning in early September. The sacrament is generally conferred during the Easter season, and classes meet on Sundays from 2:30 to 4:00 pm at St. Mary's School. Adults preparing for Confirmation are asked to contact the parish office for separate preparation. A home study program using the Dynamic Catholic Decision Point series supports families who cannot attend in person, with sessions covering topics from God's dream for each person to the power of the Eucharist and the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Marriage preparation begins at least six months before the wedding. The parish walks couples through the Rite of Marriage with a 22-minute USCCB video and a Marriage Preparation booklet, and provides the standard diocesan forms, including Form A (Prenuptial Investigation), Form B (Dispensation and Permission), Form C (Testimony of Freedom to Marry for the bride and groom), Form F (Dispensation from Canonical Form), and Form G (Notification of Marriage to Parish of Baptism). All forms are available in English and Spanish. Couples who have been previously married are directed through the annulment process, with the relevant petitions and cover letters from the Diocese of Boise, including lack of form, defect of form, ligamen, and Pauline petitions.
Reconciliation is offered every Saturday from 3:30 to 4:30 pm and by appointment, with a detailed Examination of Conscience available to help the faithful prepare. The parish frames Reconciliation as the healing of a relationship rather than a mere confession, drawing on the language of the new rite: forgiveness is a sacred moment of being received back into relationship with God and the community through the laying on of hands by the priest.
Anointing of the Sick is offered to those facing serious illness, surgery, or the frailties of old age, following the tradition of the Church as described by the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops. The parish also provides prayer materials for hospital ministry, in both English and Spanish.
Funerals and Memorials are coordinated through the parish office, with suggested funeral readings and a set of Funeral Prayers of the Faithful available to help families plan the liturgy.
Religious Education, OCIA, and the Young Church
Religious Education at St. Mary's runs on the school year and is led by Rusty Bang, the Director of Religious Education. Three main programs anchor the year.
First Communion Preparation meets on Sunday mornings during the school year for students in 2nd through 4th grade, with a $40 fee that covers supplies. Confirmation Preparation offers fall and spring sessions for high school students in 9th through 12th grade, meeting on Sundays from 2:30 to 4:00 pm; the total fee is $70 ($30 for class and $40 for the retreat), and no candidate is turned away for financial reasons. Both programs are supported by a robust home study curriculum that allows families who cannot attend in person to keep up.
For those preparing to become Catholic, the parish offers both the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) and the Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC). OCIC meets on Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:30 am in St. Mary's School, gathering children and families who want to become Catholic to be fully initiated at the Easter Vigil; OCIA for adults meets on Monday evenings beginning September 21 and is led by a team of deacons, priests, and laypeople. Both programs accept free-will donations to cover costs and welcome Catholics who missed a sacrament at the usual time to complete their initiation.
For high school youth, ICYC - the Idaho Catholic Youth Conference - is the marquee event of the year, a weekend conference at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa that draws 9th through 12th graders from across the state with dynamic speakers, music, and fellowship. St. Mary's works to send every young person who wants to go, with the parish covering registration fees and inviting families to participate in service and fundraising to support the trip.
Hispanic Ministry and the Bilingual Life of the Parish
St. Mary's describes itself as a community that has worked hard to be one multi-cultural parish with active participation among its English-speaking and Spanish-speaking members, and the Hispanic Ministry, or Ministerio Hispano, is at the heart of that life. A Spanish Mass is offered every Saturday evening at 7:00 pm and every Sunday at 12:45 pm, and Gloria Munoz serves as the parish's Office and Hispanic Affairs coordinator, working out of the parish office on West State Street.
Baptisms in Spanish are scheduled for the last Saturday of each month at 9:00 am, with two preparation classes held on the second and third Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm. Godparents are encouraged to be married by the Church if they are a couple, and single sponsors are asked to have received Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. Marriage preparation, annulment forms, and the OCIA program are all available in Spanish. The parish's prayer resources for hospital ministry and Lent are also offered in both languages, and parish content can be viewed in English or Spanish.
St. Mary's Food Bank on West State Street
Out the back door of the parish sits the St. Mary's Community Food Pantry, one of the most visible ministries of the parish and one of the most direct expressions of the mission. The food bank is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, and serves anyone in need regardless of religious affiliation. Its mission is to provide food to those who come to it for help, to relieve the suffering of poverty, and to support the dignity of every person whose circumstances lead them to the pantry door.
Service is currently limited to residents of zip codes 83702, 83703, 83706, and 83714, along with veterans and active-duty military living anywhere in the Treasure Valley. New clients are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing and to bring a photo ID for every adult in the household, proof of current address dated within the last 60 days, ID for every household member under 18, and a record of total household income. After the first visit, families may return once a month with photo ID for ongoing assistance. The food bank also asks visitors to remain in their cars while volunteers come out to assist, a change that has become part of the rhythm of the place.
St. Mary's School
St. Mary's School, built in 1948 and opened in 1949, is an extension of the parish and one of its oldest ministries. Originally staffed by Benedictine Sisters from the Priory of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, Idaho, the school today is led by Principal Kevan Grant and serves as the home for First Communion classes, Confirmation classes, OCIC sessions, and the parish's many indoor parish events. The school is supported by the Spartan Fund, an annual giving program, and the Creegan Foundation, named for the long-serving pastor whose tenure shaped much of the parish's mid-century life. A separate giving portal is available for donors who want to support the school.
Parish Staff, Young Adults, and the Branches Podcast
St. Mary's is pastored by Fr. John Kucera and assisted by Fr. Jesus Camacho, with a team of deacons - Imanol Betikoetxea, John Carpenter, Tom Dominick, Gene Fadness, Tom Mannschreck, and Jason Jaszkowiak (known around the parish as "Deacon Jazz") - who serve the parish and the wider Diocese of Boise. The staff is rounded out by Director of Religious Education Rusty Bang, Director of Music Patty Gabica, Business Manager Monica Pittman, Parish Administrative Assistant Janielle Beason, Bookkeeping by Lupita Martinez, Facilities Manager Jason Anton, and Food Bank Manager Stacy McDonough. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Friday from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, and is closed on holidays.
For young adults between 18 and 30, the parish hosts a Young Adults Community that meets through a private group chat and gathers for regular events. The parish also produces We Are the Branches, a podcast that takes its name from the imagery of Christ as the vine and the faithful as the branches, and which is available on YouTube and as a podcast.
Becoming a Member and Supporting the Parish
Anyone who considers St. Mary's their church home is invited to register with the parish, and new families are welcomed with a registration form that can be completed online, mailed, dropped in the collection basket, or brought to the office. Registered parishioners can also sign up to use parish contribution envelopes, and giving is available online through the parish's WeShare portal, by check or cash during Mass, or by stock donation. A separate capital effort, "Building our Future: Together in Faith," is the parish's ongoing campaign to invest in the facilities that match the faith and energy of its people.
For more information, the parish office can be reached at 208-344-2597 or jbeason@stmarysboise.org, and Fr. John can be reached directly at frjohn@stmarysboise.org. Mass intentions, the parish calendar, the Confirmation calendar, and the Religious Education calendar are all available, and the weekly bulletin is posted in print and online.