title: St. Paul Catholic Church (Highland, Illinois)
text: # St. Paul Catholic Church (Highland, Illinois)
  
  St. Paul Church is a Roman Catholic parish with an elementary school in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois located in Highland, Illinois. The Kirchenfest, a church picnic held each year, is one of the largest church festivals in Southern Illinois.
  
  ## Leadership
  
  * Rev. Pat Jakel, Pastor
  * Rev. Piotr Kosk, Parochial Vicar
  * Stefan Kaniewski, Seminarian (St. Meinrad)
  * Deacon Dave Bohnenstiehl
  
  ## Mass times
  
  Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and Sunday at 7:00 am, 8:30 am and 10:00 a.m.
  
  ## Kirchenfest
  
  Kirchenfest, which is German for "Church Festival," is one of the largest church festivals in Southern Illinois. The event spreads over six acres on the grounds of St. Paul Parish. It originally began in 1970. The festival has a German theme, as the Highland, Illinois community is primarily Swiss and German heritage.
  
  Events at the Kirchenfest:
  
  * Strassenlauf 5K & 2K Run/Walk
  * Saturday morning Auction, during which an 8-foot pizza is purchased
  