About Mary, Queen of Peace · Danville, Indiana
Mary, Queen of Peace is a Catholic parish in Danville, Indiana, serving Hendricks County as part of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Founded as a mission parish in 1937 and canonically established in 1939, the parish now numbers around 402 households and is led by Rev. Robert Hausladen as pastor and Rev. Suresh Ganta, HGN, as parochial vicar. The parish gathers for daily and weekend Masses at its 1005 West Main Street campus, with Adoration on Wednesday mornings and Saturday confessions. Its mission statement calls the community to be a family of Christians committed to prayer, Gospel values, growth in holiness, and service to others in imitation of Christ.
- Established
- 1939
- Patron
- Mary, Queen of Peace (Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Queen of Peace)
- Rector
- Rev. Robert Hausladen
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
Mary, Queen of Peace is a medium-sized Hendricks County parish (about 402 households) where members are called to be a family of Christians committed to prayer, worship, Gospel values, and service to others. The parish offers daily Mass, Wednesday morning Adoration, Saturday confessions, a full Religious Education program for preschool through 8th grade, two-year Confirmation preparation, a youth ministry for grades 6–12, RCIA/OCIA for adults seeking full initiation, and sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion — making it a complete parish home for families and adult seekers alike.
Mass times at Mary, Queen of Peace
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. until noon (following the 8:30 a.m. Mass)
Our History
Mary, Queen of Peace traces its roots to 1922, when Danville women began studying Catholic literature to prepare their children for First Communion — at a time when the nearest Mass was at St. Malachy in Brownsburg. The first Mass in Danville was celebrated June 1, 1922, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herschel Wilson, the same building that now serves as the parish offices. In 1937, Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter assigned Fr. Charles Schottelkotte to organize the community as a Mission Parish; the first permanent chapel, at Mulberry and Blake Streets, was dedicated February 5, 1939, the founding date recognized by the Archdiocese.
- 1922: First Mass celebrated in the Herschel Wilson home
- 1937: Fr. Charles Schottelkotte organizes the community as a Mission Parish
- 1939: Permanent chapel dedicated Feb. 5, 1939 by Rt. Rev. Michael Lyons
- 1949: Second church dedicated Feb. 13, 1949 by Archbishop Paul Schulte (Allen Campbell property, $12,500)
- 1954: Third church dedicated Aug. 8, 1954 (cost ~$53,000; seated 250; parish at 104 households)
- 1990: Present church dedicated Dec. 16, 1990 by Archbishop Edward T. O'Meara (cost $1.2 million; seats 400)
- Today: 8-acre campus with new church, 1954 church (now Religious Education Building), and Wilson home (parish offices)
Mission Statement
We, the people of Mary, Queen of Peace, are called to be a Catholic faith community centered on prayer and worship and embodying Gospel values. We are a family of Christians committed to growth in faith and holiness as signs of God's presence in the world. We act in imitation of Christ, by reaching beyond ourselves in service to others.
Parish Staff
Mary, Queen of Peace is served by a pastor, parochial vicar, and deacon, supported by a parish secretary, youth minister, choir director, bookkeeper, and parish council leadership. The Director of Religious Education/Adult Faith Formation position is currently vacant.
- Pastor: Rev. Robert Hausladen
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Suresh Ganta, HGN
- Deacon: Martin (Neil) May
- Parish Council Chair: David Johnson
- Director of Music: Gina Aguilar
- Director of Religious Education / Adult Faith Formation: Vacant
- Youth Minister: Beth Clark
- Bookkeeper: Kelly Bettison
- Parish Secretary: Julie O'Neill
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Mary, Queen of Peace runs a comprehensive Religious Education Program for preschool through 8th grade, with classes meeting Sundays during the school year. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion takes place within Religious Education, following Archdiocesan guidelines that students in 2nd grade be prepared to receive these sacraments, with parents playing an active role. Confirmation is a two-year program that includes instruction, sharing sessions, prayer, liturgical ministries, and service; each candidate is required to have a sponsor.
- Religious Education: Preschool through Grade 8 (Sundays during the school year)
- First Reconciliation & First Communion: prepared in 2nd grade
- RCIC: Rite of Christian Initiation of Children for older children needing sacraments
- Confirmation: two-year program with sponsor requirement
- Catechist volunteers always needed
Youth Ministry
The Youth Ministry at Mary, Queen of Peace serves students in 6th through 12th grade and is described as a comprehensive program encompassing a broad array of ministry and service projects centered on Jesus Christ. Events are planned and run by the core team in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and the West Deanery.
- Serves grades 6–12
- Ministry and service projects throughout the year
- Coordinated with the Archdiocese and West Deanery
- Contact: Beth Clark, 317-745-4284 ext. 14
RCIA / OCIA (Adult Initiation)
The parish offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults for the unbaptized, those baptized into another Christian tradition who wish to become Catholic, and baptized Catholics who have only celebrated one or two of the Initiation Sacraments. Weekly sessions begin in late summer and culminate with the celebration of the Initiation Sacraments at the Easter Vigil.
- Classes on Tuesday evenings, Fall through Pentecost
- Open to anyone who wants to learn more about the faith
- Contact: Janet Abdoulaye (RCIA)
- Parish office: 317-745-4284
Sacraments
Mary, Queen of Peace prepares children and adults for the sacraments of initiation according to Archdiocesan guidelines. The parish publishes detailed requirements for First Communion, including parish registration, baptism, prior First Reconciliation, regular attendance in Religious Education for at least two years, and a parent preparation class.
- First Reconciliation: prepared in Religious Education
- First Communion: requires registration, baptism, prior First Reconciliation, two years of Religious Education, parent preparation class; non-parish baptismal certificate required
- Confirmation: two-year program
- RCIA/OCIA: adults and children over canonical age of seven
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors may contact the parish office by phone, fax, or email. The parish hall and parish hall kitchen have separate extensions, indicating an active facility for community gatherings. Office hours vary by day and are posted on the parish website.
- Parish Office: 317-745-4284
- Parish Fax: 317-745-7090
- Religious Education: 317-745-4284 Ext. 13
- Youth Ministry: 317-745-4284 Ext. 14
- Parish Hall: 317-745-4284 Ext. 22
- Parish Hall Kitchen: 317-745-4284 Ext. 23
- Address: 1005 West Main Street, Danville, IN 46122
- Located at the corner of Mackey Road and US 36
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Charles Schottelkotte1937–
First of 15 pastors; organized Mary, Queen of Peace as a Mission Parish under Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter.