History of St. James Catholic Church in Haubstadt, Indiana

Excerpts from History of Gibson County, Indiana (1914)

“The oldest congregation of the Catholic denomination in Gibson county is that of St. James,” according to History of Gibson County, Indiana by Gil R. Stormount. “Father Czachart, a Redemptionist from Illinois, is the first priest known to have visited this congregation. He celebrated holy mass in the house of F.X. Weis in 1836. He continued to visit during 1837. Rev. A. Deydier of Evansville next ministered to the congregation until 1840. From the ninth of April, 1840, until May 1842, Rev. Roman Weinzoepfel of Evansville, had charge. From October 1842, until the latter part of 1845, the mission was in the charge of Rev. Conrad Schmiederjans, who lived at St. Wendel. During his time a log church, thirty-five by twenty-five feet, was erected, but the bishop refused to hold services therein until he had a deed on the property. This was effected by the return of Father Weinzoepfel in April, 1846, and the chapel was blessed on July 25, 1847. Bishop Bazin authorized the pastor to rent the seats in the chapel, but this action so incensed the people that they broke into the church on the night of January 23, 1848, and destroyed the pews. Father Weinzoepfel was brought into court for breaking the Sabbath, and the bishop interdicted the church. On July 25, 1850, the ordinary harmony was restored in St. James.”

“In the month of March 1855, Rev. F.W. Pepersack was appointed resident priest,” Stormount continues. “On July 25, 1855, the cornerstone of the new church was laid. The church, of Roman architecture, was completed that year, also a commodious parsonage. Father Pepersack remained until June 1866.” This priest performed the marriage rites for Mathias Adler and Margaret Knaub, and Theodore Witt and Juliana Adler. Stormount states, “Rev. M. Ficker came next, and he died July 18, 1868. The Benedictine Fathers had charge until September, and then the Rev. J.B. H. Seepe became the pastor until the spring of 1875.” This priest performed the marriage rites for Nicholas Adler and Margaret Steckler. He baptized John Adler, son of Nicholas Adler, on March 29, 1872 and Adam Adler, son of Nicholas Adler, on March 8, 1874.

“[Rev. Seepe] was removed on account of poor health, and the Benedictine Fathers again took charge. On July 12, 1875, Rev. J.J. Merckl took charge, and in his time added a sacristy, repaired the parsonage, and otherwise improved the property.” This priest baptized Theodore Adler, son of Nicholas Adler, on April 6, 1876, Frank Adler, son of Nicholas Adler, on July 28, 1880, Margaret Adler, daughter of Nicholas Adler on February 23, 1883, and Mary Adler, daughter of Nicholas Adler on December 30, 1885. He also built Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Haubstadt.

“Prior to 1866 the Catholics at Haubstadt belonged to the St. James congregation,” Stormount’s account goes on to say. “In this year a frame school house was built at Haubstadt, and ten years later the church, under the direction of Fr. Merckl. Rev. George Widerin was the first resident priest, coming on July 12, 1877. The next pastor was Rev. Bernard Ewers. The church cost twelve thousand dollars, and there is a beautiful frame parsonage adjoining. A large building for a parochial school is also kept.” Stormount continues, “St. Bernard’s church is situated about ten miles southwest of Princeton (in Snake Run). The members were formerly a part of the St. James congregation. The church is a mission, and is attended either from Princeton or Haubstadt.” This was the parish church of George P. Adler (son of Mathias Adler) and his descendants.

Excerpts from A History of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Vincennes (1888)

According to A History of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Vincennes by Bishop Francis Silas Chatard and Herman Joseph Alerding, “Bishop Bazin authorized the pastor to rent the seats in the chapel, but this action so incensed certain parties that they broke into the church on the night of January 23, 1848, and destroyed the pews. Father Weinzoepfel was dragged into court upon a charge of breaking the Sabbath, etc. The Bishop interdicted the chapel, which remained so until July 25, 1850”—more than 2 years!—but granted permission to celebrate mass in the house of Mr. Bartholomew Reinhart on August 24, 1848. The turbulent element finally did penance and repaired damages done. St. James has since enjoyed uninterrupted peace and harmony.”

Bishop Chatard and Alerding go on to say, “On July 12, 1875, Rev J.J. Merckl, the present pastor, was appointed. He added a sacristy to the church, repaired the parsonage and fencing of the grounds, frescoed the church and furnished it with stained glass windows; seated it with new pews, bought a fine chime of three bells (2600, 1060, and 760 lbs.), and is at present adding a story to the school-house.” He also built a new church in Haubstadt, two miles away. “St. James at present numbers over 130 families, and has 120 children in its school. The church property is valued at $35,000.”

The oldest churches in southern Indiana

Assumption Church in Evansville - 1837

Saint Joseph in the County - 1841

Saint Wendel - 1842

Saint James - 1847

Saint Philip - 1847

Holy Trinity in Evansville - 1849

Saint Matthew in Mount Vernon - 1857

Saint Joseph in Princeton - 1866

Saint Mary in Evansville - 1867

Saints Peter and Paul in Haubstadt - 1877

Saint Bernard in Snake Run, Gibson County - 1877