Christ the King Parish: Saint Ferdinand Church

Welcome & Parish Identity

Christ the King Parish is a Roman Catholic community of the Diocese of Evansville that is served by two historic churches: St. Ferdinand Church at 840 Maryland Street in Ferdinand, and St. Henry Church at 1311 W 1100 S in St. Henry. The parish's mission is to serve God and God's people by 'seeing Christ in others and being Christ for others,' strengthened by a personal relationship with Christ and committed to sharing the Catholic faith tradition with children, fellow parishioners, and those who do not yet know Christ.

Parish History

Christ the King Parish was created on March 1, 2017, by the merger of St. Ferdinand Parish (founded 1840) and St. Henry Parish (founded 1862). The 1840 founding of St. Ferdinand was led by Father Joseph Kundek, OSB, who also platted the town of Ferdinand (named for Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria) as a German-Catholic settlement in Dubois County. The present limestone Gothic Revival church at 840 Maryland Street, begun in 1846, has long stood as the focal point of the parish square, which — together with the rectory (1897), the former school (1898), and the Christ the Victor statue (1958) — was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020.

• March 1, 2017 — St. Ferdinand and St. Henry formally merge to form Christ the King Parish
• August 1, 2018 — Fr. Anthony Govind becomes the first administrator of the new parish
• St. Henry Church undergoes an interior restoration and a new maintenance building is added on the St. Ferdinand campus
• July 2024 — Fr. Riji George succeeds as the next administrator
• 2015–2016 — Major renovation of St. Ferdinand Church during Fr. Jack Durchholz's pastorate

Meet Our Staff

The staff of Christ the King Parish includes ordained and lay ministers and two Benedictine sisters. Fr. Riji George is the Administrator, with Deacon James King serving since 2009. The Faith Formation Team is composed of Jack Tuinier (also OCIA Coordinator), Theodora Houchins (Parish Catechetical Leader for preschool–8th grade), and Julie Lindauer. Business operations are handled by Joan Lange (Business Manager), Susan Blume (Administrative Coordinator, born and raised in Ferdinand), and Judy Lindauer (Parish Receptionist). Sisters from the Monastery Immaculate Conception help staff parish ministries: Sr. Teresa Gunter directs Youth Ministry, and Sr. Christine Fendel coordinates Ministry to the Homebound and Senior Citizens. Maintenance is provided by Dean Gogel at St. Ferdinand Campus and Mark Steckler at St. Henry Campus.

• Administrator: Fr. Riji George ([email protected])
• Deacon: James King ([email protected])
• Business Manager: Joan Lange ([email protected])
• Administrative Coordinator: Susan Blume ([email protected])
• Parish Receptionist: Judy Lindauer ([email protected])
• Faith Formation Team: Jack Tuinier, Theodora Houchins, Julie Lindauer
• Youth Minister: Sr. Teresa Gunter, OSB ([email protected])
• Coordinator of Ministry to the Homebound & Senior Citizens: Sr. Christine Fendel, OSB ([email protected])
• Maintenance (St. Ferdinand Campus): Dean Gogel ([email protected])
• Maintenance (St. Henry Campus): Mark Steckler (812-683-5809)

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith formation at Christ the King Parish spans cradle to grave, from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for the youngest learners and Vacation Bible School, through grade-school Released Time and parish catechists for High School Religion, to the OCIA process for adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church. The Faith Formation Commission coordinates the educational and youth ministry programs of the parish, including sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, Wedding, and Funeral, and supports adult enrichment through Bible study, parish missions, retreats, and speakers. Early childhood offerings include Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Vacation Bible School, and Sunday Youth pamphlets; youth offerings include religious education, retreats, youth mission, TEC, and Source & Summit events.

• Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA)
• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Levels 1 & 2)
• Grade School Released Time and High School Religion (Parish Catechetical Leader: Theodora Houchins)
• PreK–4 at St. Henry Religious Ed building; K–8 Released Time at the Spiritual Life Center
• Marriage preparation with sponsor couples
• Adult Bible study, retreats, missions, and speakers
• Vacation Bible School, Christmas pageants, Youth Stations of the Cross

Parish Ministries & Outreach

Christ the King Parish operates more than thirty active ministries organized under commissions (Pastoral Council, Faith Formation, Worship, Outreach, Buildings & Grounds, Finance) and independent groups. The outreach portfolio is unusually deep for a small-town parish and includes Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul (serving neighbors in need), Christian Mothers, St. Anne's Sodality, St. Joseph's Sodality, Respect for Life, Prayer Network, Cheery Notes, Grief Support, Meals to Heal, Funeral Meals, Golden Treasures (ages 55+), Quilting Committee, Family Fun Committee, Welcome Committee, Wellness Committee, and Church Cleaning and Decorating Committees. The Parish Picnic Committee hosts the annual parish picnic started by Fr. Wargel.

• Worship Commission choirs: Adult Choir, St. Anne's Choir, Judy's Guitar Group, Maureen's Guitar Group (St. Ferdinand); Youth Group & Cantors (St. Henry)
• Outreach: Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Respect for Life, Cheery Notes, Grief Support, Meals to Heal, Funeral Meals
• Fellowship: Christian Mothers, St. Anne's Sodality, St. Joseph's Sodality, Golden Treasures (55+), Family Fun, Parish Picnic, Quilting Committee
• Pastoral Care: Prayer Network, Welcome Committee, Wellness Committee, Ministry to the Homebound & Senior Citizens

Sacraments & Becoming Catholic

The parish prepares Catholics of every age to receive the seven sacraments. The OCIA program (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, coordinated by Jack Tuinier) walks non-Catholic adults through the doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church for full initiation at the Easter Vigil. Sacramental preparation is provided for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage, with experienced sponsor couples assisting the priest in preparing engaged couples. The parish also accompanies families through Anointing and Communion visits to the homebound and senior citizens, coordinated by Sr. Christine Fendel, OSB.

• Baptism
• First Reconciliation
• First Communion
• Confirmation
• Marriage / Wedding
• Funeral
• Anointing / Communion visits to the homebound and senior citizens
• OCIA for adults seeking full initiation into the Church

Visiting & Contact Information

Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with shortened Friday hours of 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM from May 16 through July 25, 2025. The mailing address is P.O. Box 156, 341 E. 10th Street, Ferdinand, IN 47532. Phone: 812-367-1212; fax: 812-367-1066; email: [email protected]. Masses are live-streamed on the parish YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person. Newcomers wishing to officially join Christ the King Parish can print the parish registration form from the website, pick up a copy at the office, or call to sign up for OCIA.

• Address: P.O. Box 156, 341 E. 10th Street, Ferdinand, IN 47532
• Phone: 812-367-1212
• Fax: 812-367-1066
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.christthekingdc.org
• Office Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Friday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM, May 16–July 25, 2025)