It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Msgr. James E. Pieper on August 1, 2025. Monsignor Pieper was born on October 21, 1931. He was the youngest of three children of Frank and Rose Pieper. He grew up in South St. Louis and attended St. Anthony of Padua grade school. He entered the seminary after grade school. In addition to attending Kenrick Seminary, he attended Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He was ordained a priest on April 6, 1957.
His first priestly assignment was as an Assistant Pastor at Immacolata Parish in Richmond Heights. In 1960, he was appointed to the staff of the Archdiocesan Tribunal, the beginning of a long association with the office. In 1962, at the start of the Second Vatican Council, he was sent to Rome to pursue post-graduate studies in canon law. He returned to St. Louis, becoming Auditor of the Tribunal in 1965. He served on the Archdiocesan Tribunal from 1965 to 1980.
He continued his pastoral service as well, first as part-time Assistant Pastor at St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Brentwood, then as Assistant Pastor at Most Precious Blood in South County. He served in a number of Archdiocesan organizations, including the Commission on Priestly and Religious Vocations and the Council of Priests. He was Archdiocesan Vicar for religious studies from 1970 to 1980 and Chaplain at Ursuline Academy from 1977 to 1980.
In 1980, he was appointed Pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish in South St. Louis. In October, 1989, he was assigned Administrator of St. Clement of Rome Parish. In January, 1990, he became Pastor of St. Clement of Rome. While at St. Clement of Rome, Monsignor Pieper served two terms as Dean of the South West Deanery of the Archdiocese. He also served three terms on the Personnel Board for Priests of the Archdiocese. He also served as a Judge on the Appellate Court of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
After 24 years of humble and dedicated leadership to St. Clement of Rome Parish, Monsignor Pieper retired as Pastor of St. Clement of Rome Parish on June 17, 2014.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 6th here at St. Clement of Rome. The family will greet guests from 9:00 a.m. until Mass starts.
After Mass, there will be a luncheon in the Parish Center for all who wish to attend and celebrate this wonderful man and shepherd.
You may watch the funeral Mass via live-stream ("Live" or at a future time) by going to our parish website and scrolling until you find the "Funeral Mass for Msgr. James E. Pieper."