About Holy Family · Oldenburg, Indiana
Holy Family Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Oldenburg, Indiana, founded in 1837 and served by Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist since August 1866. The parish's current brick church was consecrated in 1862, replacing an earlier 1850 stone church that still stands on the campus and now houses the friary. The parish is part of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and is rooted in the vision of Father Joseph Rudolph, who arrived in 1844, founded the Franciscan Sisters of Oldenburg, and is buried beneath the church. Today Holy Family worships in English, with a robust Religious Education program serving roughly 195 students from preschool through high school, a strong OCIA process, weekly Eucharistic Adoration and First Friday Benediction, and a much-loved annual Rummage Sale that funds faith formation.
- Established
- 1837
- Patron
- The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. John Barker, O.F.M.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
Holy Family is a small-town parish where, in the words of one former pastor, '99.5 percent of the time you are going to hear laughter' — a community that intentionally runs itself like a family. Parishioners worship in a historic 1862 brick church tended by Franciscan friars, share weekly First Friday Adoration and Benediction, gather for the centuries-old Corpus Christi procession through the village, and put faith into action through a Religious Education program of roughly 195 students, OCIA for adults and children, a Grief Support and Caring Committee, and an annual Rummage Sale whose proceeds benefit Religious Education and Faith Formation. Rooted in the legacy of Father Joseph Rudolph and the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, Holy Family offers a place to worship, learn, and serve together in the heart of 'The Village of Spires.'
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: 7:15–7:45 am
- Saturday: 3:30–4:30 pm
- Sunday: 7:00–8:00 am and 9:00–10:00 am
- Holy Days of Obligation: Available before all Masses
- Or by appointment — call 812-934-3013
Adoration times
- First Friday Adoration & Benediction: 8:40 am – 7:00 pm in the main body of Holy Family Church (following morning Mass through Benediction at 7 pm)
Our Story
Holy Family Parish was founded in 1837 in the German-Catholic settlement of Oldenburg, Indiana. Its long pastoral history begins with Father Joseph Rudolf, who arrived from Strasbourg in 1844, began the Corpus Christi procession in 1846, built the first stone church in 1848–1850, brought the Franciscan Sisters to Oldenburg in 1850, and oversaw construction of the current brick church consecrated in 1862. Dying in 1866, he asked the Franciscans to continue his work; the Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist arrived three months later and have ministered here ever since.
- Founded 1837
- Father Joseph Rudolf (Franz Joseph Rudolf), pastor 1844–1866
- Stone church consecrated April 1850
- Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg founded 1850
- Current brick church consecrated 1862 — then 'the largest church edifice in the State'
- Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist assume parish administration August 1866
- Oldenburg known as 'The Village of Spires'
Mission Statement
Holy Family Parish describes itself as 'a true church family, made up of extraordinary people from all walks of life,' dedicated to making everyone feel welcome and to worshipping and learning together as a faith community that 'value[s] and serve[s] God, our community, and each other.'
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Franciscan friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, supported by a small lay staff handling faith formation, parish operations, the bulletin, and buildings and grounds. The pastor was ordained in 2024 at Holy Family itself.
- Rev. John Barker, O.F.M. — Pastor
- Rev. E.J. Stein, OFM — Associate Pastor
- Cheryl Borgman — Parish Secretary, Business Manager, Financial Officer
- Beth Geis — Coordinator of Religious Education
- Toni Cummings — Bulletin and Mass Scheduling
- Chance Vankirk — Building and Grounds
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Holy Family's Religious Education program serves about 195 students from preschool through high school, each grade with its own theme, catechists, and curriculum (Christ Our Life for most grades, with the Chosen curriculum introduced for Confirmation preparation). Sacramental Reconciliation is offered to every grade once during the year.
- Preschool & Kindergarten — Teachers: Toni Cummings, Tina Duncan & Carol Dobson; Curriculum: Christ Our Life (Theme: Jesus's Life)
- 1st Grade — Rosie Slagle & Carrie Tucker; Christ Our Life (God Is Good)
- 2nd Grade — Dee Raver & Monica Balash; Dynamic Catholic (Blessed — First Reconciliation & First Communion)
- 3rd Grade — Melissa Jacobs & Sarah Shane; Christ Our Life (We Believe)
- 4th Grade — Irene Robben & Krystle Enzinger; Christ Our Life (God Guides Us)
- 5th Grade — Deann Kaiser & TBD; Christ Our Life (We Worship)
- 6th Grade — Victoria Mullens & Eric Doll; Christ Our Life (God Calls A People)
- 7th Grade — Miranda Henry; Christ Our Life / start of Chosen
- 8th Grade — Steve Struewing & TBD; Chosen (Confirmation Program)
- Substitute Catechists: Lisa Oldham, Marcie Trossman, Meredith Jones & Megan Spreckelson
- Hall Monitors: Stephanie Schantz, Bethany Luers & Terri Stirn
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
Holy Family offers the Order of Christian Initiation for both adults and children, the ordinary path into full communion with the Catholic Church. The parish welcomes inquirers, baptized Catholics seeking to reconnect, and families exploring the faith together.
- Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) — gradual process of formation and discernment
- Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC) — for families interested in becoming Catholic
- Contact: Beth Geis or Fr. John Barker
Youth Group & Adult Formation
Beyond Religious Education, the parish maintains a Youth Group for teenagers and ongoing Adult Formation opportunities for parishioners who want to deepen their faith at any stage of life.
Parish Ministries
A range of lay ministries support the parish's worship, pastoral care, and outreach mission — from direct service to those who are grieving or homebound, to the catechists and hall monitors who make Religious Education possible.
- Grief Support
- Caring Committee
- Adoration (First Friday)
- Mass Ministries
- Catechesis (substitute catechists and hall monitors)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments, including Marriage preparation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders discernment. Sacramental Reconciliation is offered weekly in the confessional and by appointment.
- Baptism
- Reconciliation
- First Communion
- Confirmation (8th-grade Chosen curriculum)
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders — vocational discernment supported through Fr. John Barker and links to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis vocations office, the Franciscan Friars, and the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg
Annual Events & Traditions
Holy Family's calendar mixes parish fundraisers with traditions stretching back to the 19th century — most notably the Corpus Christi procession through the streets of Oldenburg, which Father Rudolf began in 1846 and which still draws the whole town together around the Blessed Sacrament.
- Annual Rummage Sale (July 24–26, 2026) — proceeds benefit Religious Education and Faith Formation
- First Friday Adoration & Benediction
- Feast of the Assumption Services
- Corpus Christi Procession (since 1846) — Blessed Sacrament carried through Oldenburg to chapels along the route
Visit Us — Contact & Office Hours
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office in person during weekday hours, by phone, or through individual staff emails listed on the website.
- Address: 3027 Pearl Street, PO Box 98, Oldenburg, IN 47036
- Phone: 812-934-3013 — Fax: 812-933-0728
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm; Friday 8:30 am – 2:00 pm
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Franz Joseph (Joseph) Rudolf1844–1866
Founder-builder of Holy Family Parish; arrived from Strasbourg, built the 1850 stone church, founded the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg (1850), and the 1862 brick church. Buried beneath Holy Family Church. Asked that the Franciscans continue his work after his death.
- Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist (Province)1866–present
Administration of the parish was handed to the Franciscans in August 1866, three months after Father Rudolf's death, with Friars Nicholas Wachter and Jacob Menchen the first to arrive from Cincinnati.
- Rev. Louis Haverbeck, OFM1871–
First guardian of the Holy Family Friary, appointed in 1871.
- Rev. David Kobak, OFMserving in 2012
Pastor at the time of the parish's 175th anniversary in 2012; described the parish as 'run like a family.'
- Rev. Carl Langenderfer, OFMthrough August 2024 (seven years)
Thanked by Archbishop Thompson at Fr. John Barker's August 2024 ordination for his seven years of ministry at the parish.
- Rev. John Barker, OFM2024–present
Ordained to the priesthood Aug. 23, 2024 at Holy Family Church; celebrated his first Sunday Mass as pastor on Aug. 25, 2024.