Christ the King Parish: Saint Henry Church

Parish Identity & Mission

Christ the King Parish unites two historic congregations of Ferdinand, Indiana: St. Ferdinand Church in downtown Ferdinand (840 Maryland St.) and St. Henry Church in the rural countryside west of town (1311 W 1100 S). The parish belongs to the Diocese of Evansville, which is part of the Roman Catholic Church led by the Bishop of Rome (the Pope). The parish mission statement reads: 'Guided by the Holy Spirit, we seek to serve God and God's people by seeing Christ in others and being Christ for others. Strengthened by our personal relationship with Christ, we strive to share our strong Catholic faith tradition with our children, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and those who do not yet know Him.' To register, newcomers can print the parish registration form and drop it at the parish office or call 812-367-1212.

History of St. Henry Parish

St. Henry was founded in 1862 by Fr. Chrysostom Foffa, OSB — also pastor of nearby St. Ferdinand — who organized the Catholic families west of Ferdinand and north of Mariah Hill into a 25-family parish named for Abbot Henry of Einsiedeln Abbey in Switzerland. The new parish was served entirely by commuting Benedictines from St. Meinrad Abbey until 1878; Fr. Pius Boehm, OSB became the first resident pastor in 1879. The Sisters of St. Benedict from Ferdinand taught at St. Henry School from 1881 until it closed in 1973. Successive pastors enlarged the cemetery, restored the church windows (a first in 90 years under Fr. Damian Schmelz, OSB), upgraded the heating and cooling systems, planted trees, established a Pieta Prayer Garden, and in 2008 began the St. Henry Candlelight Mass with over 100 red votive candles. Four former pastors are buried in St. Henry Cemetery: Fr. Francis Seegmuller, Fr. Peter Hommes, Fr. Joseph Schweigmann, and Fr. Matthias Schmitz.

• Fr. Chrysostom Foffa, OSB, founder (1862–1863)
• Fr. Pius Boehm, OSB — first resident pastor (1879–1885)
• Fr. William Wack — first diocesan pastor (1885–1890)
• Fr. Matthias Schmitz, pastor (1934–1957)
• Fr. Linus Hopf, Administrator (1957–1962)
• Fr. Lawrence Moll, Administrator (1962–1968), authored Centennial History Book
• Fr. Raphael Hirsch, OSB (1968–1977)
• Fr. Marcellus Fisher, OSB (1977–1988)
• Fr. Damian Schmelz, OSB (2001–2015)
• Fr. Jack Durchholz — final independent pastor, led merger into Christ the King (2015–2018)
• School taught by Sisters of St. Benedict from Ferdinand, 1881–1973

History of Christ the King Parish (2017–Present)

On March 1, 2017 — while Fr. Jack Durchholz was pastor — St. Ferdinand and St. Henry merged to take the new name Christ the King Parish, retaining both church campuses. Fr. Anthony Govind was named administrator on August 1, 2018; during his tenure St. Henry Church received an interior restoration and a new maintenance building was designed and constructed on the St. Ferdinand Campus. Fr. Riji George, a diocesan priest from India, succeeded Fr. Govind as administrator in July 2024.

• March 1, 2017 — parishes merged into Christ the King Parish
• Fr. Jack Durchholz — final independent pastor (2015–2018)
• Fr. Anthony Govind — administrator (2018–2024); oversaw St. Henry interior restoration and new maintenance building
• Fr. Riji George — administrator (July 2024–present)

Parish Staff

The parish is led by Fr. Riji George (Administrator) with the assistance of Deacon James King and a lay and religious staff team. Several staff members are members of the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand. Susan Blume serves as Business Manager; Joan Lange and Theodora Houchins assist in parish operations; Julie Lindauer is Faith Formation Assistant; Jack Tuinier leads Maintenance; and Dean Gogel is on the Faith Formation Team.

• Fr. Riji George — Administrator ([email protected])
• Deacon James King ([email protected])
• Susan Blume — Business Manager / Administrative Coordinator ([email protected])
• Joan Lange ([email protected])
• Theodora Houchins ([email protected])
• Jack Tuinier — Maintenance ([email protected])
• Dean Gogel — Faith Formation Team ([email protected])
• Julie Lindauer — Faith Formation Assistant ([email protected])
• Sr. Christine Fendel, OSB — Coordinator of Ministry to the Homebound & Senior Citizens
• Sr. Teresa Gunter, OSB ('Sr. T') — Youth Minister

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Religious Education runs from preschool through high school and meets at the parish center (the Spiritual Life Center) and the St. Henry Religious Education building. Students are taught by parish members, sisters from the Monastery of Immaculate Conception, and occasionally by a seminarian from St. Meinrad. The Faith Formation Commission coordinates these efforts, with separate committees for Youth Faith Formation, Adult Faith Formation, Early Childhood, and Sacramental Preparation. Vacation Bible School is offered annually with roles for Center Leaders, Group Guides, and Aides.

• Faith Formation Commission (staff contact: Debbie Schmitt)
• Adult Faith Formation Committee
• Youth Faith Formation Committee
• Early Childhood Committee (includes Preschool Sunday School)
• Sacramental Preparation — Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation
• Marriage Prep (Sponsor Couple program)
• OCIA / Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
• Vacation Bible School Committee

Youth Ministry

Youth Ministry at Christ the King Parish reaches out and engages all youth from 5th grade through young adult with programs, events, and pastoral opportunities. The ministry is led by Sr. Teresa Gunter, OSB ('Sr. T'), who also cares for hydroponics, music, and the chickens and bees at the Monastery of the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand. Programming is organized into Middle School, Junior High, and High School Youth Ministry tracks, with seasonal service projects (e.g., leaf-raking for parishioners).

• Youth Minister: Sr. Teresa Gunter ('Sr. T')
• Middle School Youth Ministry
• Junior High Youth Ministry
• High School Youth Ministry
• Service projects for parishioners (e.g., leaf raking, November 5)

Adult Faith Formation

Adult Faith Formation envisions itself as 'more than classes,' aiming at 'conversion of heart, belonging in community, and living as disciples in the world.' Its three goals are conversion to Christ, community in the Church, and mission to the world, integrating the Gospel into family, work, relationships, and public service. Opportunities include Bible study, small groups, OCIA, and men's and women's gatherings.

• Bible Study
• Small faith-sharing groups
• OCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
• Men's and women's faith gatherings
• Book reading groups
• Parish mission events

Worship & Music Ministries

Music ministry at Christ the King Parish is anchored by the Adult Choir and St. Anne's Choir at St. Ferdinand, along with guitar groups led by Judy and Maureen at St. Ferdinand. St. Henry's music is led by the Youth Group & Cantors. The Worship Commission coordinates all liturgical music and the parish's sacristans, lectors, and servers.

• Adult Choir (St. Ferdinand)
• St. Anne's Choir (St. Ferdinand)
• Judy's Guitar Group (St. Ferdinand)
• Maureen's Guitar Group (St. Ferdinand)
• Youth Group & Cantors (St. Henry)
• Worship Commission

Parish Life & Outreach

Parish life at Christ the King is organized by a robust network of councils, commissions, and service committees that address the spiritual, social, charitable, and fellowship needs of members. Hospitality ministries provide funeral meals, parish-picnic food, and a Wellness Committee; outreach ministries include Christian Mothers, the Quilting Committee, the Prayer Network, St. Vincent de Paul, the Respect for Life Committee, the Cheery Notes Ministry, and the Welcome Committee. Building & Grounds and Finance Commissions care for facilities and stewardship.

• Pastoral Council
• Finance Council
• Buildings & Grounds Commission
• Knights of Columbus
• Christian Mothers
• St. Anne's Sodality; St. Joseph's Sodality
• St. Vincent de Paul Society
• Quilting Committee
• Respect for Life Committee
• Prayer Network
• Cheery Notes Ministry
• Funeral Meals Committees; Meals to Heal Committee
• Parish Picnic Committee
• Family Fun Committee
• Golden Treasures (55+)
• Grief Support Ministry
• Wellness Committee
• Welcome Committee