The story of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church begins 140 years ago, just before the start of the Civil War. A group of 15 families formed the parish in Newburgh when it was the oldest town in Warrick County and was considered the "metropolis of Southern Indiana". In its earliest years St. John Church was known as the "little church on the Ohio".

Holy Mass was offered for the first time in 1862 in Newburgh by Rev. F. X. Kutassi, pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Evansville, Indiana. The small congregation met at the home of Henry Weiss, located at the southeast corner of Market and West Jennings Street. In 1887, Mass was celebrated once or twice a month on the second Sunday each month.

The Catholics of Red Brush, north of Yankeetown, occasionally visited Newburgh to attend services with the thought of combining the two groups into one parish, but no agreement could be reached as to the location.

The first baptism recorded was that of Charles Louis Meyer, the son of Henry F. and Pauline Meyer, who was born September 15, 1869. That first baptism was administered by Rev. B. H. Kintrup on November 6, 1869. There were two baptisms on that day. The second was of Catherine Hedge, the daughter of J.B. Hedge and his wife, Elizabeth McGuire. The little girl was born on May 5, 1865. The next baptisms were in 1871 when there were eight.

The site finally chosen in Newburgh by Rev. Kutassi was across the street from the Weiss residence. Construction of the brick structure, including firing of the brick, was handled in great part by the church members. The cornerstone was laid by Rev. Henry Hug, O.S.B. on Friday after the third Sunday in September 1865. The Church was dedicated in July 1867 by the Very Rev. Martin Marty, O.S.B., Abbot of St, Meinrad Abbey, who was later consecrated Bishop of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Reverend B. H. Kintrup served St. John 1867-1869.

When completed, St. John Church measured 45x20 feet and provided seating for 125 worshippers. The bell which rose majestically above the roof, was blessed by Rt. Rev. Maurice De St. Palais, Bishop of Vincennes, with Father O’Connor preaching. The parish at that time numbered around 30 families. Rev. Fred Mueller served St. John 1869-1874.

In 1874, Father Joseph Merckle began his pastorate at St. John and immediately began purchasing an organ, chalice and vestments.

When Father Edward J. Schmitt took over in 1890, more vestments were ordered and floral ornaments were added. The church was roofed in tin, and the steeple was renovated and painted. During Father Schmitt’s pastorate, a cemetery was acquired and graded. The ground for the cemetery was donated by Mr. George Kuehnlein and Mrs. Andreas Keller.

Rev. Edward Schmitt served at St. John 1890-1893.

In 1893, the then considerable sum of $150 was willed to the church for use in erecting a sacristy. Using these monies, along with voluntary contributions of the congregation, the church was enlarged on the north end by a total of thirty-two feet. This provided a beautiful arched sanctuary and sacristy. This addition took place under the supervision of then pastor, Father Charles Wagner. Reverend Charles Wagner served 1893-1904. From 1904 through 1937, a succession of pastors led St. John to greater and greater heights. But with the arrival of Rev. Francis Mellen in February 1938, St. John grew from a small congregation to an established community listed among the parishes of Evansville. Until 1939 St. John had been a mission, but with the arrival of Rev. Francis Mellen, St. John had its first full time pastor in a brand new rectory. As a result of Father Mellen’s administrative success, the Most Reverend Bishop Joseph Ritter, D. D. recommended that Father Mellen initiate plans for a rectory in Newburgh and become St. John’s first resident pastor. The parish progressed rapidly after that and a school was opened in September 1940 with a

Total enrollment of seventy-one children. Six children graduated that year.

An expansion program was instituted in 1952 with the appointment of Rev. James H. Rogers. An 11-acre parish site was chosen on Frame Road and a new school was built there in 1954. A new convent was erected in 1956 and the completion of a new church followed in 1958.

The church was blessed on Sunday, April 12, 1959, with a Pontifical High Mass offered by Bishop Henry J. Grimmelsman.

Rev. LeRoy Dilger became the first official assistant pastor of St. John Church with Rev. Kenneth Graehler coming in to assist in 1966. From 1968 to 1970, Rev. James Keethers served in the parish. Msgr. Herman Mootz became temporary administrator in 1969 when Father Rogers left to volunteer for missionary work in South America. Rev. Leo Kiesel and Rev. Francis Schroering were appointed co-pastors in 1970.

Father Kiesel served at St. John until the spring of 1976, when he was replaced by Rev. Earl Rohleder. At that time, Deacon Robert Nemergut joined our family. His stay at ST. John was short-lived, however, as he was ordained a priest in April of that year and was subsequently reassigned to another parish. Rev. Dick Wildeman assumed the former deacon’s place shortly thereafter. Then in 1977, Joe Seibert was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate.

The parish grew by leaps and bounds during the mid-to-late 1970’s and this was evident from the large influx of students in our school and in our Religious Education Program. Both the school and the Religious Ed Program were expanded considerably to meet our students’ needs.

The school boasted an enrollment exceeding 265 students. The Religious Ed Program, for pre-schoolers through high school, instructed a student body of 450.

In the spring of 1976, the Parish Council organized a Building and Expansion Committee and in January of 1979, their efforts, resulted in the completion and dedication of a new parish center adjoining the school and a new addition to the rectory. A short time prior to that dedication, Sister Elizabeth Rose Wiesenback, S.P., became St. John’s first pastoral associate and Don Lahay was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate.

More changes were brought about in July 1982, when Rev. William Schwenk replaced Father Kissel as pastor of St. John’s and Father Kirsch was reassigned to St. Joseph Parish in Jasper, Indiana.

Father Schwenk remained pastor until 1987 when he transferred to Poseyville. Reverend Joseph Ziliak replaced him and is still pastor in 1997. Father Boeglin left in 1987 and was succeeded by Reverend Robert Nemergut in January, 1988. Fr. Nemergut left the parish in July, 1988 and was replaced by Reverend Henry Kuykendall that same month. Fr. Kuykendall left in July, 1990 and was succeeded by Associate Pastor Wilfred Englert.

In the fall of 1987, the Parish Council with Jim Wilsbacher serving as president established a Steering Committee to co-ordinate a parish-wide assessment of the current and future needs of the parish. The committee first formulated a planning process that included a review of the parish organizational structure and guidelines for evaluating the information gathered.

In developing the report, the committee members acknowledged that they were guided by the precepts contained in the parish Mission Statement written and promulgated in 1988.

The Mission Statement reads:

"We, the church of St. John the Baptist, Newburgh, declare it our primary responsibility to continue the mission of Christ to bring about the Kingdom of God. We are Catholics, gifted through Baptism, to become a community of believers in union with Christ and one another.

We are dedicated to assembling to give honor and glory to God through the celebration of the mysteries of our redemption, to educating ourselves and our children in our Catholic faith, and to being instruments of peace, reconciliation and service to others.

We shall pursue this mission faithfully through the power of the Holy Spirit and the gifts and talents of our members.

The Steering Committee’s final report was presented in the spring of 1989. Future growth was a basic premise of the report. Using the 1980 U.S. Federal Census report, diocesan census figures 1982 through 1988, and the Business Research Center of Indiana University, Warrick County growth was projected at 46% from 1980 to 2020. Extrapolating Ohio Township data, the committee projected St. John parish numbers to increase from 3,576 in 1980 to 5,236 in 2020. At the end of 1992 the parish numbered over 4,100 persons.

By the time the committee findings were published, a number of their recommendations were already being implemented or were fulfilled; namely, the church was air-conditioned, uniform job descriptions written by Administrative Review Committee, Order of Catechumens established, liturgy planning group formed, improvements carried out at parish cemetery, plans were begun for purchasing additional acreage, mature adults program began, DeSales Bible study program underway, and the Nudge program (which included receiving inactive Catholics back into the church, enlivening the faith life of current membership and an outreach effort to evangelize beyond the parish) was initiated. The need for additional facilities for the various groups to meet regularly and carry out their stated purposes was noted. A second major need for expanded facilities was in the area of worship space for the growing parish family. In addition to the population growth of members, figures indicated fewer clergy to meet those needs, thus the conclusion to prepare for larger numbers with fewer times for gathering.

A financial alternatives committee was formed to investigate methods of financing expansion needs. A design committee was formed to identify spatial needs. An architectural search committee was formed to seek professional design guidance in the project.

Bishop Francis Shea had encouraged the parish planning. Due to reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Bishop Shea tendered his resignation Dec.4, 1988. On April11, 1989, Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger of Indianapolis was ordained as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Evansville. He approved the continuance of the expansion program at St. John.

The firm of Knapp, Given, Veazey, Shoulders and Associates, Inc., of Evansville was chosen in 1989 to lead the architectural design for a new church with auxiliary space for meeting areas. John V. McCarthy and Associates of Southfield, Michigan, was chosen to provide expertise for the parish fund drive. The drive took place in an eight-week period of February-March, 1990. In the spring of 1991 three open forums for parish reaction to building designs were held.

The scope of the total project included:

1. Purchase of the Bradley property, which included a house on 3/10ths of an acre located at the southeast edge of parish property.
2. Construction of a two-room addition to the school. This would extend a wing parallel to Frame Road. The rooms would be a science/art lab and a kindergarten room.
3. The rectory would be removed to position the new church in a central position on the property.
4. A new residence for the priests would be constructed at the southeast corner of the property.
5. A new church was to be constructed. This was to have seating for 818 with a possibility of expansion by 400 seats. Meeting rooms, a Blessed Sacrament Chapel, reconciliation and vesting room, a nursery, a sacristy and workroom were to surround the worship space. The structure was to have 15,500 square feet of space at the ground level and 7,500 square feet of space in the lower level.
6. The existing church was to be renovated on the ground level for school related spaces. A second floor was to be added for a permanent space for the parish offices. In the meantime, the newly acquired home on the former Bradley property was to serve as the parish office building.

Bids were opened for the project Wednesday, Sept.25, 1991. The bids were over the estimated cost. The parish was asked to extend pledges for one year or give another suitable amount. The project of $2,207,000 was thus able to proceed as outlined above. The approval of the project was received from Bishop Gettelfinger on Nov. 27, 1991, at a meeting at the Catholic Center. Pews purchased from Good Shepherd Church, Evansville, were sent to Dale Construction firm of Huntingburg, Indiana, to be refinished along with pews from St. John Church. New ends were made for the newly purchased pews to match those of St. John. Good Shepherd had purchased new pews for their new church and thus had some 46 surplus pews. We purchased the 20-foot pews for $200 each.

Work began Dec.19, 1991, on the new priests’ residence. Ken Ubelhor coordinated construction of the home. Joanne Haas oversaw design. The work was accomplished by parishioners skilled in the various trades. The parish offices were ready for business in their new quarters at the first of the year. Jan.9, 1992, was the final night in the parish rectory for Pastor Father Joseph Ziliak and Associate Pastor Father Fred Englert. Father Ziliak moved temporarily to Good Shepherd parish, Evansville, and Father Englert to an apartment at the north edge of parish property. Father Englert spent the first night in the new home on March 24, 1992. Father Ziliak spent his first night there on March 25.

General Contractor for the school/church project was Arc Construction Company, Evansville. Other major contractors were H.A. Grant Plumbing, W.R. Sheet Metal, and Premier Electric. Contractors had access to parish property Jan. 23, 1992. The former rectory was taken down and salvaged, so that many fixtures and appliances could be used in other buildings on the premises.

A blessing of the new church site was held Sunday, Jan. 26, 1992, with Father Ziliak, Father Engirt, Pastoral Associate Sister Bernie Kuper, S. P., and Deacon Joseph Soubrette leading the ceremonies of blessing the outline and the area to the north, south, east and west. Parish Council President William Wallace, past officers and building committee members led in turning over shovels full of dirt. A cross-marked the spot where the altar would be. On the following day, a blessing of the school addition was held with Father Ziliak, Father Englert and Principal Dr. Charlotte Bennett, leading the occasion. The students stood at the outline of the structure to be built. Each in turn also turned over a shovel full of dirt.

Construction of the new church kept on pace through a year that presented very few days where work could not continue. We were very pleased with the skill of the workers who had a hand in this house of God. Let history record two small setbacks. One occurred when the huge laminated wood beams were lifted into place to form the skeleton for the roof. One of the beams was two-feet too short. This caused a three-week delay in the beam erection timetable.

A second problem happened when a steel support beam was measured six inches from the proper spot. Extra effort had to be expended to provide for all to be secure. But the original schedule was tightly followed and all was in readiness for the day of dedication, March 27, 1993.

Story telling and opportunities for grieving at leaving the former church space preceded the procession to the new church.

Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger presided at the solemn and joyful ceremony. An audible gasp came from those gathered as the bishop made large crosses with the oil of chrism on the newly painted walls. It was a time of great pride for all who were part of a major project that would influence life at St. John for years to come.

The church, two-room addition to the school, a priests’ residence, a home on 3/10 acre used as temporary parish office, and removal of the former rectory were accomplished at a cost of $2,208,000.

The very next week the Chrism Mass was hosted by St. John Parish. People from throughout the diocese gathered for the annual blessing of the holy oils. By the conclusion of that week, we had experienced the Holy Week rituals including the total immersion of adults who were baptized during the vigil of Easter ceremonies. Overflow Easter crowds helped us to feel that we were quickly at home in our new place of worship.

One of our parishioners, Bernard Etienne, was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Evansville in our new place of worship on June 5, 1993. Among those present were Bishop Gettelfinger, presiding prelate; Bishop Francis Shea, retired bishop of Evansville; and Msgr. Robert Lynch, general secretary of the United States Catholic Conference, the central office for U.S. Bishops. He is now Bishop of Jacksonville, Florida.

Sister Bernice Kuper, S.P., resigned her position as pastoral associate at the end of June 1993 after serving the people of St. John for 13-years. She returned to the Motherhouse at St. Mary-of-the-Woods to take up work in formation of new members to her community.

One month later Sister Jeanne Voges, O.S.B., joined the parish staff as pastoral associate. Sister Jeanne is a member of the Benedictine community at Beech Grove, Indiana. She had been a teacher, foreign missionary and dietary manager before coming to St. John.

In October 1993, Father Fred Englert was named by Bishop Gettelfinger as pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Evansville. Father Fred had served the parish for almost three and a half years. His primary work in addition to priestly duties for the whole parish was with the young people.

In November 1993, Father J. Kenneth Walker was named to take up residence at St. John. His major work was to continue with the Tribunal Office of the Diocese of Evansville. He serves as Adjutant Judicial Vicar. He provides weekend assistance, morning Mass Monday through Wednesday, and other sacramental aid as time permits.

In 1993, the parish purchased a home that had belonged to Al and Mary Combs adjoining parish property on Frame Road. A new wing was added and the rest totally renovated for parish purposes. The total renovation was completed July 1995 and contains 11 staff offices and a conference room.

The former temporary office building, which stood directly in front of the priests’ residence, was taken down gradually and finally disappeared in July 1996.

Deacon Joe Seibert had moved from the parish boundaries to those of St. Rupert Parish, Red Brush, where he gave diaconal service. Following early retirement from Alcoa, he joined the parish staff full time January 1, 1994.

In the summer of 1995 and 1996, two portions of a prayer garden were constructed behind the church. These were Eagle projects for scouts Keith Scheessele and Dan Rice. Keith’s project centers around a fountain; Dan’s around a rosary. Another Eagle Scout project was adding cabinetry to the parish offices by Andy Schweiss. A fourth Eagle project was the completion of the landscaping around the priests’ residence by Andy Witmeier.

Joe Seibert retired from his full-time parish involvement January 1, 1997 to devote more time to his family and wife, Ginny.

The parish population continues to grow. As of this writing, there are nearly 1,500 households, totaling over 4,700 persons. According to diocesan statistics, St. John thus becomes the largest parish in the diocese in number of people. Places to meet are regular problems. As we go to press, construction is underway to complete the lower level of the church; this includes an elevator, three meeting spaces, kitchen, storage room, restrooms, and mechanical room.

Future plans include construction of a multi-purpose building with kitchen and gathering room, scout room, wrestling room and storage space.

The third construction project involves expanding the school. Currently, there are 335 students. There are tow sections for kindergarten through fourth grade. The addition of one more room per grade will continue, resulting in five new classrooms by 2001. The first additional classroom needs to be in place for August 1998.

In February 1997, Sister Jeanne moved to a home at the corner of Prince and Clark Drive, just off the parish property. The former convent space is being used by various parish group on a regular basis; in particular, Mature Adults, Quilters, Kindercare and Scouts.

Our parish life finds energy more in ministry to people than in building, although without the building and facilities the parish could not meet its obligations to the people. Since 1989 one of the years' highlights has been the Parish Overnight.This is a concentrated time of prayer and faith expression for a number of people limited only the facilities at Sarto Retreat House. Parishioners share their faith journey with those attending as an encouragement to find Jesus Christ in their daily lives.

New ministries—Elizabeth, Mother-to-Mother, Landings, Parent Letters, Parish Nursing, "FrameWorks" (a quarterly parish newsletter), Liturgy of the Word for Children, Grief Support and Bereavement – are ways our people’s lives are touched on a regular basis from cradle to grave. Cursillo and Teens Encounter Christ are movements that have been extremely important faith formations for our adults and youth respectively. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, weekdays and First Fridays, give opportunity for stewardship of time and prayer.

The wonder of electronic communication reached the parish. It became clear that the Church, like other institutions, must avail itself of new resources provided by computer technology. St. John stepped forward as a leader parish in the Evansville Diocese. With the expertise of parishioners, Brian Ricci providing the internet linkage and Mike Koehne providing the design, St. John Parish’s Web page was birthed April 24, 1996. The weekly bulletin, Tiger Tales from the school, Fr. Joe’s monthly columns from the Evansville Courier & Press, a tour of the church with pictures, school handbook, an opportunity for sharing prayer petitions, and a description of parish ministries provide a snapshot of our parish at work on the site. In June 1999, Michael Corbett took over the duties of webmaster from Koehne. Interactive sites are being added to make the page even more practical and useful for communicating between parishioner and parish. The page thus becomes an ever greater source for communicating, educating and evangelizing. E-mail has become a reliable, timely and inexpensive means to conduct parish business and keep in touch with parishioners, college students, and families moving into and out of the parish.

Networking of the parish office was in place by the middle of July 1997. At this time each of the parish staff members had individual addresses for electronic communication. Fiber optic cable joining the parish office, the school building, the church and the priests’ residence was completed in January 1999. On Aug. 25, 1999, Fr. Joe sent his first network memo from his residence to others in the parish office. The church, school priests’ residence and parish office were now officially networked.

A graceful scene of St. John baptizing Jesus was added to the beauty of the church’s interior Sept. 8, 1997. Bill and Mary Waters made it possible to commission the hand carved wooden statues in the Baroque style made famous by the artisans of Oberammergau, Germany. Florian Haertle is the sculptor. Fr. Joe had ordered the statues in June 1996. The statues were shipped on Aug. 15, 1997 with arrival at the parish on the feast of the birth of Mary, Sept. 8. The statues were blessed on the feast of the baptism of the Lord Jan. 11, 1998.

November 1997 saw a number of changes around the parish. Voice mail became available for each of the faculty and staff members by Nov. 10. A newly expanded storage building was available at the same time. Some 4,500 square feet of storage on two levels was built on parish grounds just east of the Center. The structure is of concrete block and vinyl siding.

On Sunday, Nov. 23, 1997, the lower level was blessed and dedicated by Fr. Joe to the glory of God. There are some 7,500 square feet of space for three meeting rooms – Ruth and Naomi, Mary and Joseph. In addition are a kitchen, office, storage room, mechanical room, and restrooms. An elevator allows easy access for all. Two rose windows and two units of shadow boxes containing art glass from Munich, Germany, provide decorative touches. The antique art glass of some 150 years came from St. Henry Church, Caseyville, Illinois. Larry Loveall and Lillian Sasse Loveall helped obtain the beautiful art glass windows. The windows were cleaned, re-leaded and designed for the lower level space by Sunburst Glass of Newburgh.

On Monday, June 8, 1998, Arc Construction Company began work on four new classrooms thus fulfilling the vision of two rooms per grade, K-8. The project included doubling the size of the kitchen, dressing rooms for boys and girls, a faculty workroom and handicapped accessible restrooms. In addition, the space of the former church (1958-1993) was renovated to house a library/media center, computer lab, and choral music room. A new corridor linking the front and east wings of the school was carved from the same space. A new, larger and more efficient boiler for hot water heating replaced an older boiler in the front boiler room, thus allowing for the removal of a smaller boiler in the north wing. The whole building is air conditioned as well. The teachers, staff and students cooperated well and made do with crowded conditions until the new spaces were available in February 1999. The newly expanded areas were blessed and dedicated by Fr. Joe on Sunday, Feb. 21, 1999.

Financial matters are always necessary in operating a parish of the size of St. John. Computerization of records was instituted in August 1987 with the expertise of Don Bowen, who served as finance officer at that time. The Diocese of Evansville adopted the Parish Data System for financial and census record keeping for all parishes in 1993. On May 15, 1999, the first direct payroll deposits were made for all employees of the parish, which at that time numbered 48. A pilot program of direct electronic stewardship of treasure was begun Aug. 1, 1999, with the invitation to the parish at large to follow this style of proportionate giving in September.

The stewardship of time, talent and treasure was adopted in the Diocese of Evansville and at St. John Parish. Capital fund campaigns were instituted to help pay debt service for expansion projects. In September 1996, $2,000 per week was budgeted to help eliminate construction debts. An additional $1,000 per week was added March 1998. By September 1999, $4,000 per week was budgeted for debt service and facilities expansion.

The cleaning of parish buildings was outsourced to a cleaning firm in April 1999. The summer of 1999 saw a continuation of upgrading of parish facilities. Twelve pine trees were removed along the north property boundary to allow for widening the drive around the Center and convent building and the exit to Frame Road. Parallel parking was added along that section of the driveway. The storage building was sealed and painted. A concrete pad for the dumpsters was added. The parking lot was newly sealed and striped. A new security system utilizing cameras and locked doors for the school was added.

By the summer of 1999, service trips for youth to Appalachia were bi-annual events. Under the direction of youth minister, groups of youth and adults traveled to the beautiful Smokey Mountain area of Tennessee to spend time working to upgrade housing for needy families. Beautiful friendships were begun.

Strategic planning for the next 20-years of the parish life took place Aug.-Sept. 1999. The motto of providing ministry from cradle to grave was seen as affecting all aspects of parish life. Enlarged educational opportunities, small group discussion and prayer occasions and community outreach programs came under discussion. Preliminary ideas on achieving the goals and projected spreadsheets for underwriting the anticipated costs were developed.

Encouragement and support from Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger and the Diocesan Finance Commission allowed the parish to begin steps to obtain a Federally guaranteed Economic Development Bond for $3.7 million. The lengthy and detailed journey included legal counsel from Indianapolis and Fort Wayne in addition to local legal and financial counsel.

The Town Council of Newburgh approved the issuance of the bond on June 27, 2001. Bishop Gettelfinger closed on the bond financing on Aug. 1, 2001.

The funds allowed St. John the Baptist Parish to purchase two adjoining parcels of land. A bit over an acre was property owned by Lou and Kathy Watkins along Hwy. 662 and Frame Road. Scot Farms grocery store, a storage building and a rental house were located on that property. The closing took place Sept. 28, 2000. Another 1.9 acres along Hwy. 662 and the drainage gully to the east were owned by Michael Clayton. The closing took place on March 26, 2001.

The Scot Farms Store was converted into a food pantry and thrift shop. The Newburgh Area Food Pantry had been located at the Epworth United Methodist Church and supported by several area congregations. This new location gave the food pantry much more room for food display and storage. Sue Dawson, pantry director, served the first families on March 5, 2001. The following day, March 6, 2001, was the opening day for the Mother Teresa Treasure store.

Mother Teresa Treasure is a thrift shop containing a variety of goods for consumers: clothing, glassware, books, kitchenware, decorative items and some furniture. The goods are gifted to the store by parishioners and community members. The well stocked shelves serve anyone looking for bargains. The needy are supplied special needs. Those who are victims of home fires are likewise given to meet their needs.

Both operations are managed and staffed by volunteers. Margaret and Bill Wallace were given special recognition on dedication day March 17 for their work in establishing this new enterprise. The income from Mother Teresa Treasure pays for utilities and needs for the food pantry, and allows for special gifts to needy organizations in addition to returning funds to the parish.

In November 2001 an expanded storage area was added to the building. At that time the storage building at the corner of Hwy. 662 and Frame Road was demolished.

A two-story structure is located on the adjoining property. This was a home built by Henry Wiehe in 1859. He was the brick maker for local construction of houses and sidewalks. No sure future is in place for this building. Ideas of renovating the building and adding rooms to provide for community outreach and educational programming are being reviewed.

The final payment of $3,317.04 on debt service to the Diocese of Evansville was made on June 15, 2001, just in time to enter into the bond issue of $3.7 million.

Educational and formational needs are being met with the addition of 26,508 square feet to the building that houses academic, athletic and community resources. Bids were opened on March 20, 2001. The new addition makes that building’s total space 68,263 square feet. Dedication events were held in the Spring of 2002. Empire Contractors served as the General Contractor for the project. Veazey, Parrot, Durkin and Shoulders served as architects for the third major addition at St. John Parish since 1992.

The school year 2001-2002 completes a long held vision of two rooms per grade for the K-8 school for some 400 students.

The facility is used for religious education on Sundays and Wednesdays. Many public events for the parish and the community are held here also. The computer lab is used for evening classes for adults.

Included in the expansion in the west wing were two Kindergarten classrooms, an art room, a religious education resource room, a teacher’s resource and conference room, a new entrance with lobby, new offices for the principal and secretary, a nurse’s office, a workroom and renovated restrooms for boys and girls.

Additions to the east wing were a choral and a band room, storage rooms, a maintenance office and workroom, an athletic director’s office and storage, a new gym, locker rooms, restrooms and a concession stand. A fitness and wrestling room and space for air handlers are in a mezzanine area between the two gyms.

The parish convent was converted into a pre-school facility during the summer of 2001. The building was blessed for its new purpose Aug. 26, 2001 with classes beginning Sept. 4 for some 100 three, four and five-year-olds. Owner/director Mary Jo Huff brought Epworth Kinder Kountry Pre-School to St. John’s facility. It is now part of the parish ministry and known as St. John Kinder Kountry Pre-School.

The Pre-School building continues to house the quilters, who gather two days every week. A smoke free Alcoholics Anonymous group uses the community room weekly. Junior and senior level youth use the same space for periodic meetings.

The principals, faculty, staff and parents planned in great detail to continue their work while construction was underway. Safety was first and foremost in people’s minds.

The parish spread further with the gift of a two-level 2,300 square foot building for scouting. On July 5, 2000, papers were finalized to transfer title from Algoscots to the Diocese of Evansville for a scout building on an acre of ground at 948 Outer Gray Street. Jan Jordan, Jack Martin, Jerry Brown, Bill Higgins and Tom Neeley transferred the land and building to Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger. Present also were Dr. Tony Schapker, Bob Smith, Bob Brown, Father Joseph Ziliak and legal counsel Dennis Dewey.

Algoscots, Inc. was formed in 1973 to provide a place for Troop 325, at that time a new scout troop in Newburgh. The troop had disbanded by 2000. The owners wished to make the building and land a gift to scouting as it continues with Troop 330 sponsored by St. John Parish.

An additional 3.8 acres along Bell Road abutting on the east with Rose Hill Cemetery were purchased to increase the land available for burial in St. John Cemetery. At the present rate of burial, the available land should handle needs for some 50 years. The land was purchased from Frieda L. Reed.

The richest resource of any parish is in its people. Appreciation and gratitude is expressed to our people with an annual appreciation evening with meal and entertainment for all who help in little and big ways to enrich the parish with time, talent and treasure. Yearly teacher recognition lunches are held to note the dedicated work of our school teachers. A catechist recognition dinner is made available each year for those who share their faith in the religious education and R.C.I.A. programs. Graduating high school seniors with their families are feted to a brunch. Mass servers are given an annual outing at Holiday World.

Annual nominees for the Brute’ Award serve to recognize outstanding stewards for God’s kingdom. Nominees for the recognition from the International Women’s Day is another opportunity of special gratitude for women who give heavily for community needs.

Vocations to married life, single life, priesthood and religious life are encouraged in prayer and deed. A parish vocations committee meets regularly to encourage this aspect of career choice present in our midst. A traveling vocation cross with prayers was passed from family to family from April 21, 2001 through August 2001. January will be the month of emphasis for special prayers for vocations.

At the end of 2001 there are four young men of the parish studying for the priesthood. John Sasse and Christopher Thompson are both members of the Legionaries of Christ. Vincent Bernardin is with the Holy Cross Fathers, and Zach Etienne is studying for the Diocese of Evansville.

Ecumenical activities dot the calendar. Thanksgiving Day is noted with a joint community service. Ash Wednesday has become a new way and occasion for community prayer time. The National Day of Prayer serves as yet another time for joint prayer. The Easter Sunrise Service is now a community fixture at the Newburgh Locks and Dam site. Dedication of two new Fire Department locations in the summer of 2001 provided another opportunity for joint prayer.

New metal outside doors replaced wooden doors for the church in late 1999. The blessing of these doors as Jubilee Doors on the first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 28, 1999, joined St. John with the universal church in celebrating the Jubilee Year of 2000. A Jubilee Prayer Watch allowed parishioners to be at prayer from 5:30 p.m. until after the beginning of the new millenium. A Jubilee Mass using the universal theme of the Jubilee Year "Open Wide the Doors of Christ" was held on Jan. 6, 2000. A dinner and dance followed.

The Jubilee Gala on Jan. 6 was open to the community. The gala was the jubilee year’s benefit for Right to Life and Birthright. The parish sponsors an annual event. In more recent years a Celebration of Life Open House is held at the priests’ residence for the benefit of right to life efforts.

The choirs and music ministry under the direction of Mike Killebrew produced two recordings for CD’s and tapes: Sounds of St. John and Sounds of Christmas. The ministry likewise sponsored a concert by musician/author John Michael Talbot. A one-man show, Francesco, featuring Eddie Cantor, was presented May 20, 2001. The Celebrant Singers were here in concert in the year 2001.

Spiritual enrichment and renewal are constant parish efforts. Parish Missions are scheduled every two years. Grayson Warren Brown is scheduled for October 2002. A special evening Mass is held on the feast of the Holy Innocents to honor those little ones who have died form miscarriages, still born, early childhood deaths or abortions. RENEW returned to the parish schedule during Lent of 2001. This is a series of weekly discussions in small group format for increasing knowledge of Scripture, the teachings of the church and prayer life.

With the increase of numbers of people of Hispanic background, a course in spoken and casual Spanish was offered for two years on a weekly basis to allow Anglos a facility of offering welcome. The Hispanic groups began weekly Mass at a neighboring parish, thus the course was put on hiatus.

Former St. John pastor, Father William Schwenk, 1982-1987, died Dec. 29, 2000. He was pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Dale.

The fewer number of priests led to a deanery decision of holding Penance Services at four different sites for Advent and Lent, instead of at each of the nine parishes in the Newburgh Deanery. This practice began in Advent 2000.

The twinning of St. John with Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Grand Bassin, Haiti, continues. Two special collections are held annually for the needs of our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Mary Seibert serves as liaison. Many children are provided educational opportunities through the generous sharing of our parishioners. The parish provides medical services, food and nutritional education to several hundred each day.

The parish celebrated 20-years of priesthood for Father J. Kenneth Walker with a special festive Mass and dinner on May 26, 2001. Receptions were also held following Masses on the next day. Father Walker was assigned for weekend help and in residence in November 1993. The golden anniversary of vows as a member of Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Beech Grove, IN, for Sister Jeanne Voges, O.S.B., was held here with receptions on Aug. 11-12, 2001. Sister Jeanne began her work as pastoral associate Aug. 1, 1993.

During the ordination Mass on June 9, 2001 at St. Benedict Cathedral, Bishop Gettelfinger announced that newly ordained Father Attila Frohlich was assigned to St. John the Baptist Parish as associate pastor. He came on June 26 to join the staff for a day’s outing honoring the feast day of parish patron St. John the Baptist. Father Frohlich is a native of Hungary. He studied theology at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. He joins Father Ziliak as an alumnus of Innsbruck.

A gift from the estate of Donna Heisler enabled the parish to have a new lectern (or ambo) and altar. They are of red oak to match the pews. Fehrenbacher Cabinets of St. Joseph, IN produced them. The lectern, from which we proclaim the Word of God, will be decorated with hand carved wooden statues of the four evangelists who wrote the Gospels, namely, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The altar will be decorated in front with a hand carved Last Supper scene. The altar is deeply respected as the place of sacrifice. It truly reminds us of Jesus the savior who was both sacrifice as well as the priest.

We believe that Jesus is present in the sacramental sacrifice on the altar, and in the Word that we proclaim from the Scriptures. Thus, the lectern and the altar gift us with God’s presence, and are, thereby, worthy of dignity and beauty.

The hand carved works of art are from the Conrad Moroder Studio, St. Ulrich, Italy. This is the same village from which our statue of Mary originated.

In addition, the parish was able to purchase 50-inch statues of Jesu, Mary and Joseph for a Christmas scene. The statues are from the Fontanini Studios of Italy. The statues are of poured resin.

Reaching out to people with various needs is a hallmark of St. John the Baptist parish with its thriving St. Vincent de Paul Society, a special emergency needs program, and throughout the year special collections and provisions for food, clothing and housing that concentrate on particular needs.

This social outreach portion of the parish's ministry stepped up to a higher level with the opening of Mother Teresa Treasures March 17, 2004. The land and former grocery store, with 3,600 square feet of space, located along Hwy 662 was purchased by the parish to provide expansion area, and a buffer from commercial build-up along the highway entering Newburgh from the West. Mother Teresa Treasures, named after the beloved and saintly Mother Teresa of Calcutta, carries clothing, houseware, glass items, jewelry and some furniture. Some 80-90 volunteers operate the store Tuesday through Saturday. Monday is a day off, but dedicated people are usually present sorting items brought in to the store or dropped off in the box provided for that purpose. The amount of material given to MTT by parishioners and community members forced a 60' by 20' expansion for storage and separation space for the items. The store was opened on a trial basis, but the growth and community response has been overwhelming, thus making MTT a solid presence in the area serving those seeking nominally priced previously owned items. The Newburgh Food Pantry, previously housed at Epworth United Methodist Church in a small room, was given a new home in this same building and given 800 square feet to display food and personal items to be provided for needy families. Display space allows the families to shop for needed items. Plans are underway for expanding the store by another 1,600 square feet to give more space to the Food Pantry and the thrift store.

Hurricane Katrina blasted New Orleans and the surrounding coastal area in Aug. 2005. Atlas Van Lines provided a full-sized trailer, which was filled from gifts of new and used clothing, water and play items for children. The parish and community response was magnificent. The items were delivered to New Orleans Catholic Charities for dispersal to the local people. Generous cash donations to St. John Parish allowed us to send additional money to families and schools in the affected area. At 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, a category four tornado came across the Ohio River and the lowlands building speed and striking a mobile home park in Eastern Vanderburgh County just at the edge of Newburgh. The path of devastation reached some 23 miles through Newburgh until its final mark outside of DeGonia Springs where another family suffered fatal injuries and the Baker United Methodist chapel was destroyed.
No one in Newburgh suffered fatal injuries. Many homes were destroyed or suffered varying degrees of damage. Some 29 parish families lost their dwellings; another 20 suffered heavy damage; and yet another 91 with lesser amounts of damage. Financial donations to the parish allowed us to gift those people with cash on several occasions over the next few months.

Several hand carved wooden statues were added to the church in 2005 and 2006. St. Peter, donated by Patricia and Ed Spahn; St. Paul, donated by Jane Eberlin; St. Joseph, donated by Susan Memmer and Diane Wells; and St. Michael the Archangel, donated by Joseph and Antoinette Hirsch, now grace the interior. The statues come from Moroder Studio in Ortisei, Italy. This is the same village where the 125-year old hand carved wooden statue of Mary and child was sculpted.
A new altar and ambo graced the church sanctuary by April 2002 to mark holy week and Easter Services and the 40th anniversary celebration of Father Joseph L. Ziliak's ordination to the priesthood. The altar and ambo were the handiwork of Fehrenbacher Cabinets of Evansville. The altar has a handcarved wooden Last Supper scene from Moroder Studio of Ortisei, Italy. The same studio produced the statues of the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John that grace the ambo.
New carpeting was placed in the church and surrounding rooms at the same time.

The season of Lent 2006 took on a special look since the parish was gifted with new Communion vessels. A presider's bowl, eight communion bowls, eight communion cups, and a chalice were individual gifts of families. At the same time Larry and Lillian Loveall presented the parish with a gold chalice produced by Gilles Beaugrand Studio of Montreal, Canada.

Some four-acres of land was purchased at 5020 Bell Road for expanding burial availability for the St. John Cemetery. The Board determined to construct a mausoleum providing for 520 burial crypts and 260 cremation niches, thus giving our people the option for in-ground or above-ground burial, along with interment for cremated remains. The project was approved by Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger and arrangements were seriously underway with McCleskey Mausoleum Associates, Atlanta, Georgia, for construction. This process began in 2002. St. John Parish Council approved financial arrangements. By the end of 2006 the necessary permits from the Town of Newburgh and State of Indiana had been obtained for site preparation and construction.

A house at 700 Frame Road, just across from the entrance to St. John School, was purchased in late 2004 as a place for the youth and young adults, Girl Scouts and other special uses. Religious ed programming, outings and gatherings for these groups take place on a regular basis. The youth center was dedicated St. Maria Goretti Youth Center and dedicated on her feast day, July 6, 2005.

Major changes in the looks of the parish campus took place 2001-2002 with the major additions to the school and academic facilities. Four classrooms, a choral and instrumental music rooms, new offices for the principal and secretary, upgrading of the library and computer rooms, an Arena with a large size, wooden floored gym, dressing rooms, concession stand and wrestling room were added and opened for full use in January 2002. This project was funded by an Economic Development Bond of $3.7 million. The bond money allowed the parish also to purchase two parcels of land to the south of our campus that fronts onto Hwy. 662. This property contained the Scot Farm Grocery Store and the Wiehe House which was the office for a design and graphics firm. The bond is on a 20-year payback and was obtained through the Town of Newburgh for a Federal guaranteed low interest loan. The payment is $150,000 each six-months. Some $6,000 is taken from the weekly income to have the funds available for the semi-annual payments. The store was converted to Mother Teresa Treasures and the Newburgh Area Food Pantry. The Wiehe House was demolished after a nine-month hiatus while seeking permission from the Town of Newburgh for a demolition permit.

A Pre-School for three, four and five-year-olds was added to the parish educational system August 2003. Parishioner Mary Jo Huff had operated the Kinder Kountry Pre-School for over 20-years. That school and business was subsumed into St. John the Baptist Parish. Mary Jo served as director here for three years before retiring to pursue her nationwide known storytelling skills. The program was housed in the parish convent building, which was upgraded for the little ones. After first operating one and then two groups of half-day Kindergarten for 22-years, since 1984-1985 school year, the opportunity to advance to providing full-day Kindergarten classes for two groups came for the school year 2006-2007.

Providing for the long-term financial health of the parish and its ministries is an ever-present reality. Major efforts were underway to look to future needs by endorsing and encouraging endowments. An endowment is an investment that will not be touched, but only the interest or income from the investment can be used for the purpose stated. At this time St. John has an endowed portfolio of $269,611. The funds are invested with the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Indiana, a diocesan-wide venture investing funds for all the parishes in the Diocese of Evansville.

A Living Legacy Society was established June 24, 2005, with 50 charter members. An annual Mass and dinner marks the occasion for members. Membership is obtained by naming the parish in a will or estate planning, or a gift of at least $1,000 for an endowment. Some 15 ministries, such as, scholarships for St. John School, for higher education, for technology needs, the parish at large, have been established as beneficiaries of endowments. The plan is to provide for many on-going parish needs with this extra support of funding.

School scholarships of $5,500 each year are currently available. In addition, it is possible to provide a $1,000 annually for higher education. The directors of the Living Legacy Society are asking parishioners to contribute to the parish endowment in the 140th parish anniversary year 2006-2007 for meeting parish needs.

Several new fundraising activities are now held annually. In addition to the summer social and the steak night, the PTSA has an annual gala. In 2006 it was named Autumn Escape and was changed from a black tie affair to a down home casual look. The purpose is the same, namely, to gain extra funds for the school and its academic program. A mid-winter raffle, called Souper Bowl Sunday, held on Super Bowl Sunday was begun in 2002 to provide extra funds for parish needs. It is a day for the family to gather in the Center and Arena, to play board games, eat and snack, and watch the Super Bowl football game. Autos were raffled for four years, but a change was made to cash only in 2007.

The Parish Nursing program surfaced a need for wellness, especially among those above age 50. After a fact gathering time and research of other similar programs a Fit Over 50 program was begun in the Fall of 2005. The response was so good, that an evening program was also begun in early 2006. Each group meets twice weekly. The participants also help in tutoring the little ones at school.

In August 1866 the original St. John the Baptist Church was dedicated by Abbot Martin Marty, O.S.B., the first abbot of Saint Meinrad Abbey. Keeping the connection alive, Father Archabbot Justin Duvall, the current archabbot of Saint Meinrad Archabbey was invited to preside and speak at the Mass marking the kick-off of the parish's 140th anniversary year of celebration. It was a very warm Aug. 27, 2006, when the archabbot, Fathers Ziliak, John Silva and Jason Gries arrived by horse and carriage from the spot of the original church on Jennings Street. A procession of vintage autos and many on foot followed. The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus provided an honor guard. Boy Scouts oversaw the parking. Girl Scouts helped the parish nurses in providing water to the faithful who gathered in front of church for the Mass where an altar had been erected. The Parish Choir provided the music and led the congregation in song. The liturgy was followed by an old fashioned picnic of hotdogs, chips, watermelon, lemonade and tea. The anniversary year was preceded on Aug. 20, 2006, with an honoring of Sister Jeanne Voges, O.S.B., pastoral associate, who celebrated 55-years as a vowed member of the Benedictine community first at Ferdinand and then as founding member of the Beech Grove, IN, Benedictines.

An outdoor movie was held in September. A parish picnic was held in October. A Blue Mass was held on Nov. 5, to mark the first anniversary of the devastating tornado of 2005. Area first and second responders - police, fire personnel, emergency teams - were honored at the Mass. They were provided a meal after the celebration. Special events for the anniversary year were scheduled each month and would culminate with a Mass presided over by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger in August 2007.

At the end of 2006, the parish numbered 1,677 families, or some 5,328 individuals. Father J. Kenneth Walker was in residence at St. John, July 1993-July 2001; Father Attila Frohlich, associate pastor, July 2001-July 2003; Father John Breidenbach, associate pastor, July 2003-June 2004; Father Jason Gries, associate pastor, June 2004-July 2006; and Father John Silva, associate pastor, July 2006.

Four members of the parish were ordained permanent deacons July 11, 2005: Vince Bernardin, David Rice, David Seibert and Michael Seibert. Deacons Rice and the two Seiberts are assigned respectively to St. Mary Parish, Evansville; Holy Rosary Parish, Evansville and St. Celestine Parish, Celestine, IN; and Bernardin to St. John Parish, Newburgh.
A glorious day for the church of the United States and Indiana was Oct. 15, 2006, when Mother Theodore Guerin, foundress of the Sisters of Providence at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN, was named Saint Theodora Guerin by Pope Benedict XVI. She was born in Brittany, France, but gave birth to the first women's college in America with St. Mary-of-the-Woods College founded just months after she and five companions arrived in this frontier wilderness of the Diocese of Vincennes, Oct. 22, 1840.
Sisters of Providence started and taught at St. John School from 1940 until the last of the Sisters left the parish in 1993.Our area's first bishop, Bishop Simon Brute's cause for sainthood was begun in 2006.

A major church leadership transition took place as Pope Benedict XVI ascended to the chair of St. Peter on April 2, 2005, upon the death of Pope John Paul II, after 26 plus years as pope.

St. John the Baptist Parish has been and is blessed by God. Let us continue to be present as a sign of God’s blessing and goodness in our community. We serve the Lord in prayer and worship, in forming ourselves and others in His likeness, and in reaching out to others in our community.

Table of Contents | St. John Home | St. John School | Contact Us