St. John Parish History
The story of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church begins over 160 years ago, just before the start of the Civil War. A group of fifteen families formed the parish in Newburgh. It was the oldest town in Warrick County and was considered the "metropolis of Southern Indiana". In its earliest years SJB was known as the “Little church on the Ohio".
Holy Mass was offered for the first time in 1862 in Newburgh by Rev. Francis 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. 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 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 primarily by church members. The cornerstone was laid by Rev. Henry Hug, O.S.B. on Sept 22nd, 1865. The Church was dedicated in August 1866. Rev. Bernard H. Kintrup served SJB from 1867-1869.
Two baptisms were administered by Rev. Kintrup on Nov 6th, 1869. The first baptism recorded was that of Charles Louis Meyer, the son of Henry F. and Pauline Meyer, who was born Sept 15th, 1869. The second was of Catherine Hedge, born May 5th, 1865, the daughter of J.B. Hedge and his wife, Elizabeth McGuire. The next eight baptisms were in 1871.
When completed, St. John the Baptist Church measured 45’x20’ 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 Rev. O'Connor preaching. The parish at that time had about thirty families. Rev. Fred Mueller served SJB from 1869-1874.
When Rev. Joseph Merckle, who served from 1874-1875, began his pastorate at SJB, he immediately purchased an organ, chalice and vestments. Rev. Alexander Koesters served from 1875-1877, Rev. John McCabe in 1878, Rev. Clement J. Conrad from 1878-1887, Msgr. Theodore S. Mesker from 1887-1888, Rev. Charles Stricker from 1888-1890, and Rev. Joseph E. Hegger in 1889. When Rev. 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 Rev. Schmitt's pastorate through 1893, a cemetery was acquired and graded. The ground for the cemetery was donated by Mr. George Kuehnlein and Mrs. Andreas Keller.
In 1893, the then considerable sum of $150 was willed to the church for use in constructing a sacristy. Using this money, along with voluntary contributions of the congregation, the church was enlarged on the north end by 32 feet. This provided a beautiful arched sanctuary and sacristy. This addition took place under the supervision of then pastor, Rev. Charles J. Wagner, who served from 1893-1904. Rev. Michael Wagner served from 1904-1906, Rev. Mattias Schmitz from 1906-1914, Rev. E.J Zirkelbach from 1915-1917, Rev. Paul Bleuel from 1918-1920, Msgr. Herbert Winterhalter from 1920-1937, and Rev. Emil Goosens and Rev. William Davis in 1937. Upon the arrival of Rev. Francis Mellen in February 1938, SJB grew from a small mission congregation to an established community listed among the parishes of Evansville. As a result of Rev. Mellen's administrative success, the Most Reverend Bishop Joseph Ritter, D.D., recommended that Rev. Mellen initiate plans for a new rectory in Newburgh and become SJB's first full-time resident pastor. The parish progressed rapidly after that, and a school was opened in September 1940 with a total enrollment of 71 children. Six children graduated that year.
An expansion program for the school was instituted in 1952 with the appointment of Rev. James H. Rogers. An 11-acre parish site was chosen on Frame Road where a new school was built 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 12th, 1959, with a Pontifical High Mass offered by Bishop Henry J. Grimmelsman.
Rev. LeRoy Dilger became the first official assistant pastor of SJB in 1961 with Rev. Kenneth Graehler coming in to assist in 1966. From 1968-1970, Rev. James Keethers assisted the parish. Msgr. Herman Mootz became temporary administrator in 1968 when Rev. Rogers left to volunteer for missionary work in South America. Rev. Leo Kiesel and Rev. Francis Schroering were appointed co-pastors in 1970.
Rev. 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 SJB. His stay here was short-lived though because he was ordained a priest in April of that year and was subsequently reassigned to another parish. Rev. Richard Wildeman assumed the former deacon's place as associate shortly thereafter. Then in 1977, parishioner Joe Seibert was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate. In early 1976, Sister Elizabeth Rose Wiesenback, S.P., became SJB's first pastoral associate, and Don Lahay was also ordained to the Permanent Diaconate.
The parish grew by leaps and bounds between 1974-1979, as evident from the large influx of students in the school and Religious Education Program. By 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. Both the school and the Religious Ed Program were expanded considerably to meet our students' needs.
Rev. David Kissel took over with Rev. Joseph Kirsch as his associate in 1979, both serving through 1982. Rev. John Boeglin also assisted at SJB from 1979-1987. More changes were brought about in July 1982, when Rev. William Schwenk came on board as pastor of SJB, and Rev. Kirsch was reassigned to St. Joseph Parish in Jasper, Indiana. Rev. Schwenk remained pastor until 1987 when he transferred to Poseyville.
Rev. Joseph L. Ziliak came on in 1987. That fall of 1987, the Parish Council, with Jim Wilsbacher serving as president, established a Steering Committee to coordinate 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. 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 1982-1988, 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 SJB parish numbers to increase from 3,576 in 1980 to 5,236 by 2020. By the end of 1992, the parish included over 4,100 people. By the time the committee findings were published, many of their recommendations were already being implemented or were fulfilled. The church was air-conditioned, uniform job descriptions were written by Administrative Review Committee, the Order of Catechumens was established, a liturgy planning group was formed, improvements were carried out at the parish cemetery, plans were begun for purchasing additional acreage, mature adults program began, a DeSales Bible study program was underway, and the Nudge program was initiated. The Nudge program included receiving inactive Catholics back into the church, enlivening the faith life of current membership, and an outreach effort to evangelize beyond the parish. 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 worship space area 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.
Rev. Boeglin was succeeded by Rev. Robert Nemergut as associate in January 1988. Rev. Nemergut left the parish that July and was replaced right away by Rev. Henry Kuykendall. Bishop Francis Shea encouraged the parish planning. Due to reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Bishop Shea tendered his resignation on Dec.4th, 1988. On April 11th, 1989, Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger of Indianapolis was ordained as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Evansville. The approval of the continuance of the expansion project at SJB was received from Bishop Gettelfinger on Nov. 27th, 1991, at a meeting at the Catholic Center. 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 project included many parts. The Bradley property, which included a house on 3/10ths of an acre located at the southeast edge of parish property, was purchased. Construction of a two-room addition to the school was approved. This would extend a wing parallel to Frame Road. The rooms would be a science/art lab and a kindergarten room. The rectory would be removed to position the new church in a central position on the property, and a new residence for the priests would be constructed at the southeast corner of the property. The new church to be constructed was to have seating for 818 with the 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. 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. Pews purchased from Good Shepherd Church in Evansville were sent to Dale Construction firm of Huntingburg, Indiana, to be refinished along with pews from SJB. New ends were made for the newly purchased pews to match those already in use. Good Shepherd had purchased new pews for their new church and thus had some 46 surplus, so we purchased the 20-foot pews for $200 each.
Rev. Kuykendall stayed at SJB until July 1990 and then was succeeded by Associate Pastor Rev. Wilfred Englert. Work began Dec 19th, 1991, on the new priests' residence. Ken Ubelhor coordinated construction of the home, and 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 by the first of the year. General Contractor for the school/church project was Arc Construction Company of Evansville. Other major contractors were H.A. Grant Plumbing, W.R. Sheet Metal, and Premier Electric. Contractors had access to parish property on Jan 23rd, 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 26th, 1992. On the following day, a blessing of the school addition was held.
On April 16th, 1992, the Chrism Mass was hosted by St. John the Baptist Parish. People 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 church on June 5th, 1993. Sister Bernice Kuper, S.P., resigned her position as pastoral associate at the end of June 1993 after serving the people of SJB 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 until she passed away in 2013. In July 1993 Sister Jeanne Voges, O.S.B., joined the parish staff as pastoral associate and served here until her retirement in 2012. In Oct 1993, Rev. Englert was named by Bishop Gettelfinger as pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Evansville. In July 1993, Rev. J. Kenneth Walker was named to reside at SJB. His major work was to continue with the Tribunal Office of the Diocese of Evansville. He served as Adjutant Judicial Vicar. He provided weekend assistance, morning Mass Monday through Wednesday, and other sacramental aid as time permitted.
In 1993, the parish purchased a home that had belonged to Al and Mary Combs adjoining the 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 removed 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 Jan 1st, 1994. Deacon Joe retired from his full-time parish involvement Jan 1st, 1997, to devote more time to his family and wife, Ginny.
In the summers 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 centered around a fountain, Dan's around a rosary. Other Eagle Scout projects were adding cabinetry to the parish offices by Andy Schweiss, and the completion of the landscaping around the priests' residence by Andy Witmeier.
November 1997 saw many changes around the parish. Voice mail became available for each of the faculty and staff members. A newly expanded storage building was also completed. The structure of concrete block and vinyl siding built on parish grounds just east of the Center added about 4,500 square feet of storage on two levels.
On Sunday, Nov 23rd, 1997, the lower level of the church was blessed and dedicated by Rev. Ziliak to the glory of God. There are about 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 aged 150 years came from St. Henry Church in 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 8th, 1998, Arc Construction Company began work on four new classrooms for the school, thus fulfilling the vision of two rooms per grade, K-8, as of the 2001-2002 school year to accommodate about 400 students. 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 that stood from 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 Feb 1999. The newly expanded areas were blessed and dedicated by Rev. Ziliak on Sunday, Feb 21st, 1999.
In 2000, St. John the Baptist Parish purchased two adjoining parcels of land. A bit over an acre was property owned by Lou and Kathy Watkins along Hwy. 662 and Frame Road. 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 as a buffer from commercial build-up along the highway entering Newburgh from the West. Scot Farms grocery store, a storage building and a rental house were located on that property. The closing took place Sept 28th, 2000. Another 1.9 acres along Hwy. 662 and the drainage gully to the east were purchased from Michael Clayton. That closing took place on March 26th, 2001. The Scot Farms Store was converted into a food pantry and thrift shop. The Newburgh Area Food Pantry had been in a small room at the Epworth United Methodist Church and supported by several area congregations. This new location gave the food pantry 800 square feet for food and personal item display and storage. Sue Dawson, pantry director, served the first families on March 5th, 2001. The following day was the opening day for the Mother Teresa Treasure store, named after the beloved and saintly Mother Teresa of Calcutta, which is a well-stocked thrift shop containing a variety of goods for consumers: clothing, glassware, jewelry, books, kitchenware, decorative items, and some furniture. Around 80-90 volunteers operate the store, and dedicated people are often present sorting items brought into the store or dropped off in the box provided. The goods are gifted to the store by parishioners and community members. The needy are supplied as necessary. Those who are victims of home fires are likewise aided to meet their needs. 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 originally opened on a trial basis, but the growth and community response was overwhelming, thus making MTT a solid presence in the area serving those seeking nominally priced previously owned items. Margaret and Bill Wallace were given special recognition on their dedication day of March 17th, 2001, for their work in establishing this new enterprise. The income from Mother Teresa Treasure pays for utilities and necessities for the food pantry and allows for special gifts to in need organizations in addition to returning funds to the parish.
Algoscots, Inc. was formed in 1973 to provide a place for Troop 325, at that time a new scout troop in Newburgh. The troop disbanded in 2000. The owners wished to make their building and land a gift to scouting as it continues with Troop 330 sponsored by SJB. The parish spread further with the gift of that two-level 2,300 square foot building. On July 5th, 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, Rev. Joseph Ziliak, and legal counsel Dennis Dewey.
Educational and formational needs were met with the addition of 26,508 square feet to the building that houses academic, athletic and community resources. Bids were opened on March 20th, 2001. The new addition made 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 SJB since 1992. This facility is used for religious education on Sundays and Wednesdays. Many public events for the parish and the community are held here also. Included in the expansion in the west wing of the school 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. 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 26th, 2001, with classes beginning Sept 4th for about 100 three, four and five-year-olds. Owner/director Mary Jo Huff brought Epworth Kinder Kountry Pre-School to SJB's facility. It is now part of the parish ministry. The Pre-School was again renovated and modernized in 2021 to help accommodate the inclusion of All Day Enrichment.
Almost four acres of land were purchased in 2002 at 5020 Bell Road abutting on the east with Rose Hill Cemetery from Frieda L. Reed to increase the land available for burial in St. John the Baptist Cemetery. The Board determined to construct a mausoleum providing for 520 burial crypts and 260 cremation niches, thus giving 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 underway with McCleskey Mausoleum Associates, Atlanta, Georgia, for construction. At the present rate of burial, the available land should handle needs for approximately the next 50 years.
In July 2001 Rev. Attila Frohlich replaced Rev. Walker, who stayed until Rev. John Breidenbach came aboard from July 2003 - June 2004, followed by Rev. Jason B. Gries as associate pastor from June 2004 - July 2006. Rev. John Silva served from July 2006 - July 2007, Rev. Ron Kreilein from June 2007 - Nov 2008, Rev. David Martin from Jan 2009 - Oct 2010, with Rev. Frohlich returning for 2011-2014.
A house at 700 Frame Road, just across from the entrance to St. John the Baptist 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 on her feast day, July 6th, 2005.
A Living Legacy Society was established June 24th, 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 the Baptist School, for higher education, for technology needs, or 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.
Four members of the parish were ordained permanent deacons on July 11th, 2005: Vince Bernardin, David Rice, David Seibert and Michael Seibert. Deacon Bernardin was assigned to SJB, Deacon Rice was assigned to St. Mary Parish, Evansville, Deacon David Seibert to Holy Rosary Parish, Evansville, and Deacon Michael Seibert to St. Celestine Parish, Celestine, Indiana. In 2012, parishioner Dan DeCastra was ordained deacon and assigned shortly after to Good Shepherd Parish in Evansville. Deacon Tony Schapker currently serves the parish. As of the end of 2006, the parish had 1,677 families, or about 5,328 individuals.
After a fact-gathering of other similar programs, a Fit Over 50 program began in the Fall of 2005. Each group meets twice weekly. The participants also help in tutoring the little ones at school.
Several hand carved wooden statues were added to the church interior 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. 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 in April 2002 to mark Holy Week and Easter Services, and the 40th anniversary celebration of Rev. Ziliak's ordination to the priesthood. The altar and ambo were the handiwork of Fehrenbacher Cabinets of Evansville. The altar has a hand carved 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. In 2019, SJB participated in a Diocesan-wide capital campaign and raised funds for a total renovation of the church. The large statues were implemented into the design of the church, but a new altar and ambo were created, and the former altar and ambo were moved to the Mausoleum so Masses could be held there.
In July of 2012, upon the retirement of Rev. Ziliak, Rev. Thomas J. Kessler was appointed as pastor. Rev. Anthony Govind served as his associate from 2014-2016, Rev. Tyler Tenbarge from 2016-2017, Rev. John Pfister from 2017-2019, and Rev. Ambrose Wanyonyi from 2019-2020. Rev. Kuykendall served SJB as Pastoral Associate Emeritus and beloved parish counselor from 2015 until his death in June 2025.
In 2017, Jay VanHoosier was ordained Deacon and served at SJB Parish until 2022. Rev. Kessler retired in June 2020 and Rev. Claude "Dusty" Burns joined the parish. He was officially installed by Bishop Joseph Siegel on Aug 2nd, 2020. In 2022, Mark Thieman was ordained a Deacon and was also assigned to the parish. Rev. Srinivasa Malaka joined the parish as associate from 2022-2024. Rev. Vargheese Kalapurakudiyil was associate pastor from 2024-2025.
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.