About Our Lady of the Springs [Orange County Catholics] · French Lick, Indiana
Our Lady of the Springs is a small Catholic parish in French Lick, Indiana, that has served the Orange County community since 1887. The church was built in 1886 and dedicated in 1887, with land donated by the French Lick Springs Hotel and Hiram E. Wells, and funding secured through the cooperation of Bishop Silas Chatard of Indianapolis and Bishop McCloskey of the Louisville Diocese. Today the parish is part of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and is clustered with nearby Our Lord Jesus Christ the King in Paoli under the joint pastoral care of Fr. Randall (Randy) Summers, served by approximately 87 registered families.
- Established
- 1887
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Springs (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Randall (Randy) Summers
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Springs offers a small, welcoming Catholic community rooted in more than 135 years of faith in French Lick. As part of the Orange County Catholics cluster with Our Lord Jesus Christ the King in Paoli, parishioners benefit from shared ministries, faith formation, and the pastoral care of Fr. Randy Summers and Deacon James O'Connell. With weekend Mass, weekday Mass, and Saturday confessions, plus a parish hall for fellowship, this parish provides an intimate setting for prayer, service, and the celebration of the sacraments in southern Indiana.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Springs [Orange County Catholics]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 PM - 4:50 PM
- Saturdays at 3:00 PM or by appointment
History of Our Lady of the Springs
Our Lady of the Springs traces its roots to 1886, when a church building was erected in French Lick and dedicated the following year in 1887. Funding was arranged through the cooperation of Bishop Silas Chatard of Indianapolis and Bishop McCloskey of the Louisville Diocese, while the French Lick Springs Hotel and Hiram E. Wells donated the land. The original building measured 80 by 35 feet, was 30 feet high, and featured a 70-foot steeple, valued at $10,000 at the time. The first resident priest, Rev. F. W. Wolf, arrived in 1890.
Jesuit Era (1936-1964)
During the Depression, the West Baden Springs Hotel was sold to the Society of Jesus in 1932 for just $1.00. At the request of Bishop Joseph Ritter of Indianapolis, the Jesuits accepted pastoral responsibility for Our Lady of the Springs, and many Jesuits served as pastors from 1936 to 1964. A Parish Hall was built in 1950 under Fr. Francis Macke and was named Macke Hall in his honor.
Birth of a Daughter Parish in Paoli
In 1948, a small group of Catholics organized by Fr. Koch established a mission in Paoli named Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This mission later became the parish of Christ the King (now Our Lord Jesus Christ the King), creating a long-standing Catholic presence in neighboring Paoli that continues to be served alongside Our Lady of the Springs today.
Transition to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis
After the Jesuits departed in 1964, secular pastors were appointed to Our Lady of the Springs, with assistance from St. Meinrad Archabbey. The parish is now under the care of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and is served by diocesan priests.
Parish Staff & Leadership
Our Lady of the Springs is currently pastored by Rev. Randall (Randy) Summers, who was appointed in 2021 and also serves as pastor of the clustered Our Lord Jesus Christ the King parish in Paoli. He is assisted by Deacon James O'Connell. Beverly Cummins serves as Parish Secretary and Bookkeeper. The Music Director position is currently vacant.
- Pastor: Rev. Randall Summers
- Deacon: James O'Connell
- Parish Secretary and Bookkeeper: Beverly Cummins
- Music Director: Vacant
Orange County Catholics Cluster
"Orange County Catholics" is the umbrella name used for the two churches in Orange County, Indiana — Our Lady of the Springs in French Lick and Our Lord Jesus Christ the King in Paoli. They work together to serve the needs of the local Catholic community, share pastoral leadership under Fr. Randy Summers, and emphasize faith formation, stewardship, and welcoming diverse families.
- Shared pastor: Rev. Randall Summers
- Partner parish: Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, Paoli
- Cluster emphasis: faith formation, stewardship, welcoming community
Visiting & Contact Information
Our Lady of the Springs is located on West State Road 56 in French Lick, Orange County, Indiana. Visitors and parishioners can reach the parish office by phone or email, or visit the Orange County Catholics website for news and updates.
- Address: 8796 W. State Road 56, French Lick, IN 47432-9391
- Phone: 812-936-4568
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.occ-indy.org/about-us/our-lady-of-the-springs/
- Parish number (Archdiocese): #074
- Registered families: ~87
- Church capacity: 160
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. F. W. Wolf1890-
First resident priest of Our Lady of the Springs.
- Jesuit Pastors (Society of Jesus)1936-1964
Many Jesuits served as pastor after the West Baden Springs Hotel was sold to the Society of Jesus in 1932 for $1.00 and the Jesuits accepted pastoral duties at Bishop Ritter's request.
- Fr. Francis Mackearound 1950
Built the parish hall in 1950, which was named Macke Hall in his honor.
- Fr. Koch1948
Organized a small group of Catholics to establish a mission in Paoli named Our Lady of Perpetual Help, later Christ the King.
- Rev. Randall Summers2021-present
Appointed pastor of Our Lady of the Springs, French Lick, and Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, Paoli.