Pastor

Fr. William M. Gardner was born on February 26, 1960 in Detroit, MI.  He was ordained on May 23, 1992 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Peoria, IL, by then Bishop John J. Myers.  His first assignment was as Assistant Pastor of St. Columba Church, Ottawa.  In 1994 he transferred to Immaculate Conception Church, Streator, where he served as part-time Assistant Pastor, while also serving at Part-time teacher and chaplain at Marquette High School, Ottawa.  In 1995, Fr. Gardner was named Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Wenona, and St. John the Baptist Parish, Lostant.  In 2001, he was named Pastor of St. Paul’s Odell, and Sacred Heart Church, Campus.  In 2006, Fr. Gardner was named Pastor of St. Valentine Church, Peru, IL, succeeding the retiring Fr. Thomas Badovsky, who served from 1997 to 2006.

Fr. Badovsky has since been named Monsignior, and currently serves at St. Thomas More Church, Dalzell,IL.

Fr. Edward J. Bawiec was Pastor of St. Valentine Parish from 1990 (having succeeded Fr. Chester Jagodzynski) until 1997.  He passed away on Oct. 17, 2008.

Fr. Gardner was appointed Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Peru, on June 11, 2008, succeeding Fr. Robert Spilman, Administrator. 

- Purity Honors Creativeness (Spring 2011 - Latin Mass Magazine)