About Prince of Peace Parish -Sorrowful Mother of God Church · Vevay, Indiana
Most Sorrowful Mother of God Church in Vevay, Indiana is the only Catholic church in Switzerland County and serves as one of three worship sites of Prince of Peace Parish, a Roman Catholic mission community administered from neighboring Madison and united under the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The parish was founded in the mid-1870s to serve the river-town's small Catholic population, with the current church building dedicated in 1876. Today roughly 54 families belong to the Vevay mission, which seats about 80 people, while the broader Prince of Peace community — formed in 1993 by merging Madison's historic parishes — celebrates Mass in English and Spanish each weekend across its Madison and Vevay churches.
- Established
- 1875
- Patron
- Our Lady of Sorrows (Most Sorrowful Mother of God)
- Rector
- Rev. Eric (Rick) Nagel
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
Prince of Peace Parish — and its Vevay mission, Most Sorrowful Mother of God — offers the small Switzerland County Catholic community a weekly Sunday Mass, a Saturday Vigil Mass, and Reconciliation, all from a single pastoral team shared with the larger Madison-area parishes. Active ministries include OCIA (Becoming Catholic), adult Bible study, religious education for grades K–8, music ministry, the Legion of Mary, a Fiber Ministry, Ladies' groups, Knights of Columbus, and a Correctional ministry. A Hispanic Mass is celebrated each Sunday at St. Patrick Chapel in Madison, and bilingual sacramental preparation is offered parish-wide. For Catholics along the Ohio River, it is a faithful, family-sized community that warmly welcomes returning and new parishioners alike.
Mass times at Prince of Peace Parish -Sorrowful Mother of God Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:15 PM @ Most Sorrowful Mother of God, Vevay
- Saturday: 5:30 PM @ Prince of Peace, Madison (followed by Vigil Mass)
- Most Sorrowful Mother of God: 2:30–4:00 PM (call parish office to confirm)
About the Parish
Most Sorrowful Mother of God is the Vevay, Indiana worship site of Prince of Peace Parish, a multi-site Roman Catholic mission community administered from nearby Madison and belonging to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Founded in 1875 with its church dedicated in 1876, it remains the only Catholic church in Switzerland County and serves roughly 54 families. The parish is led by Fr. Rick Nagel and shared deacons Mike Boggs and Mike Gardner.
- Type: Catholic Mission (multi-site parish)
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis
- Founded: 1875; church dedicated 1876
- Number of families: 54
- Church capacity: 80
- Pastor: Fr. Rick Nagel
History
Catholic missionary priests from Madison first served the Swiss-heritage river town of Vevay, and in 1875 a frame church was built. The present Most Sorrowful Mother of God Church was dedicated in 1876. Under Fr. Leonard Brandt, who arrived in 1865, the young congregation replaced wooden steps with stone, acquired a new altar and statues, and received vestments and chalices donated by parish societies. The parish remained independent for nearly 120 years until, in 1993, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis merged Madison's four historic parishes — St. Patrick, St. Anthony, St. Mary, and St. Michael — into a single new parish called Prince of Peace, with the former St. Mary Church in Madison as its home. St. Magdalen joined in 2013, and Most Sorrowful Mother of God in Vevay is now partnered with Prince of Peace as a mission site.
- 1875: frame church erected in Vevay
- 1865: Fr. Leonard Brandt begins ministry; church and grounds improved
- 1876: current Most Sorrowful Mother of God Church dedicated
- 1993: Prince of Peace Parish formed in Madison from merger of four parishes; Fr. Jeffrey Charlton named first pastor
- 2013: St. Magdalen joins Prince of Peace
- 2016–2019: 'Steeple for the People' renovation campaign raises $2.4 million
- 2023–2025: Madison rectory remodeled for incoming pastor
- 2025: Fr. Rick Nagel installed as pastor
Our Staff & Clergy
Prince of Peace Parish, which serves Most Sorrowful Mother of God in Vevay, is staffed by a pastor, two deacons, a president of Catholic schools, a director of religious education, business and development directors, parish associates, and administrative personnel, all working together across the Madison and Vevay sites.
- Fr. Rick Nagel — Pastor ([email protected], 812-265-4166 ext 241)
- Deacon Mike Boggs ([email protected], ext 240)
- Deacon Mike Gardner ([email protected], ext 240)
- Mary Ellen Minnick — Pastoral Associate ([email protected], ext 239)
- Morgan Werner — Director of Religious Education Program ([email protected], 812-273-3957)
- Phil Kahn — President of Catholic Schools ([email protected], 812-273-5835 ext 245)
- Marty McClure — Business Manager ([email protected], ext 247)
- Amy Ralston — Director of Development ([email protected])
- Stephen Sims — Director of Marketing and Communications ([email protected], 812-273-5835 ext 402)
- MaryRose Carlow — Administrative Assistant ([email protected], ext 243)
- Beth Kring — Office Administrator ([email protected], ext 237)
- Tania Kahn — Administrative Assistant to the President of Schools
- Kevin Jones — Parish Transportation and Maintenance ([email protected], ext 244/243)
- Music Director ([email protected])
Worship Sites
Prince of Peace Parish worships at three locations across Jefferson and Switzerland Counties in southeastern Indiana.
- Prince of Peace Church — 413 E. Second St., Madison, IN 47250 (the principal worship site)
- Most Sorrowful Mother of God — 591 Ferry St., Vevay, IN 47043 (the Vevay mission)
- St. Patrick Chapel — 301 W. State St., Madison, IN 47250 (home of the Sunday Hispanic Mass)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at Prince of Peace is rooted in the Catechism's call that 'family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith.' Programs are offered for adults, youth, and children across the parish's sites.
- OCIA / Becoming Catholic — adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church (contact Fr. Rick Nagel)
- Adult Faith Formation — Wednesday Bible Study, 9:30–11:30 AM, Catholic Community Center, 305 W State St, Madison (Kaaren Tatera, 812-265-2301)
- Religious Education for children grades K–8, meeting twice per month at St. John's
- Formed.org digital formation resources for parishioners
Sacraments
Prince of Peace Parish prepares and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Those interested in Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, or Reconciliation are encouraged to contact the parish office at 812-265-4166.
- OCIA for unbaptized adults and for baptized Catholics preparing for Confirmation and Eucharist
- Adult godparent role described in OCIA process
- Returning Catholics welcomed through the Sacrament of Penance
Ministries & Outreach
Prince of Peace Parish maintains an active and varied ministry life across worship, formation, fellowship, and outreach — opportunities exist for every age and interest, from liturgical service to crafts, prayer, and prison ministry.
- Liturgical Ministries
- Music Ministries ([email protected])
- Legion of Mary
- Fiber Ministry
- Knights of Columbus
- Ladies' groups
- Correctional Ministry
- Stewardship — giving of time, talent, and treasure
- Hispanic Ministry / Hispanic Mass at St. Patrick Chapel
I'm New — Joining the Parish
Newcomers to Madison or Vevay — or long-time visitors looking to get more involved — are warmly welcomed at Prince of Peace. A Ministry Sign-Up form is available on the parish website, and staff will help connect you with ministries that match your interests.
- Become a parishioner by contacting the parish office
- Choose ministry interests and the parish will pair you with opportunities
- OCIA (Becoming Catholic) for those exploring the faith
Visiting & Contact
The parish offices and Catholic Community Center are located in Madison, while the Vevay mission (Most Sorrowful Mother of God) is on Ferry Street. The parish website lists the full staff directory with direct extensions and email addresses.
- Parish office: 812-265-4166 (Fax 812-273-3427)
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.popeace.org
- Vevay mission address: 591 Ferry St., Vevay, IN 47043
- Mailing: P.O. Box 257, Vevay, IN 47043
- Parish office / Catholic Community Center: 305 W. State St., Madison, IN 47250-2830
- Parish Transportation available: 812-265-4166 ext 244 or 243
Renovation & Building History (Madison worship site)
Although most of the visible renovation work has been at the Madison Prince of Peace Church (originally St. Mary's), it is part of the same parish that serves the Vevay mission. The original church walls were raised and roofed in 1851 under German hands, and the building was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1858 a parsonage was purchased west of the church; in 1860 the steeple was built with four named bells (St. Joseph, St. Ann, Maria Angela, and Gabriel). The current pipe organ was installed in 1940.
- 1851: walls raised and roofed; church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception
- 1858: parsonage purchased
- 1860: steeple built; four bells installed and christened
- 1940: pipe organ installed
- 2017–2018: attic insulation, interior plastering and painting, exterior painting, new Carillon system
- 2019: new roof, steeple installed, parking lot seal-coated and lined, new doors and landscaping, interior restoration including new lighting replicas, new reconciliation room, repaired pews, original hardwood floors sanded and sealed, Italian-commissioned crucifix and Archangel Gabriel statue
- 2020: new St. Michael statue commissioned from Italy; Stations of the Cross and Nativity statues refurbished at Chris Moran's studio in Michigan
- 2021: sacristy repairs and refurbishment
Patroness — Our Lady of Sorrows
The parish takes its name from the Most Sorrowful Mother of God, an ancient Marian title honored throughout the Catholic Church on September 15. The devotion, developed by the Servite Order and the Cistercians, commemorates the Seven Sorrows of Mary and was extended to the universal Latin Church by Pope Pius VII in 1814, with the fixed September 15 date set by Pope St. Pius X in 1913.
- Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows — September 15
- Tied to the Seven Sorrows / Seven Dolors of Mary
- Popularized by the Servites and the Cistercians
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Leonard Brandtfrom 1865
Took the helm of the early Vevay congregation after its first six 'arduous and meager' years; the situation began to improve under his leadership, with new stone steps, a new altar and statues, vestments, chalices, and other furnishings donated by parish societies.
- Rev. Jeffrey Charlton1993
Named first pastor when the Archdiocese created Prince of Peace Parish in Madison from the merger of St. Patrick, St. Anthony, St. Mary, and St. Michael parishes.
- Rev. Eric (Rick) Nagel2025–present
Current pastor; arrived in 2025 as the remodeled Madison rectory was completed.