About Saint Bernard · Fort Branch, Indiana
St. Bernard Catholic Church is a rural parish in the Snake Run farming community outside Fort Branch, Indiana, in the Diocese of Evansville. Founded in 1877 on land donated by Anton Obert, it sits on a rise in Gibson County surrounded by the families who built and have sustained it for nearly 150 years. Today the parish shares pastoral ministry with neighboring St. John the Evangelist in Daylight, and offers weekend and weekday Mass, Reconciliation, First Friday Adoration, religious education for Pre-K through 12th grade, and a youth ministry shared with other Westside parishes under the St. Maria Goretti banner.
- Established
- 1877
- Patron
- St. Bernard (of Clairvaux)
- Rector
- Fr. Seejo Thandiackal CMI
- Diocese
- Diocese of Evansville
Why belong here
St. Bernard is a small, multigenerational rural parish where most families still descend from the founding German Catholic settlers of Snake Run. Worshippers find Sunday and Thursday Mass, Reconciliation before Mass, First Friday Eucharistic Adoration, and a full religious education program for Pre-K through 12th grade — plus the St. Maria Goretti youth ministry shared with neighboring parishes that brings together 6th–12th graders for retreats, mission trips, and outings. The parish grounds include the 2015 Rosary Garden with its 5-foot marble Blessed Virgin Mary statue and engraved Mysteries, and a recently renovated (2020) worship space, all tended by an active Altar Society, Parish Council, and lay liturgical ministers.
Mass times at Saint Bernard
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 8:20 a.m.
- Thursday 5:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Parish History
St. Bernard was founded around 1877 when Anton Obert donated seven acres of land in the Snake Run settlement (then called Obertsville) so a Catholic church could be built. The first church was raised from hewn local logs with help from neighboring St. Paul's congregation; years later a hard wind destroyed it and the current stone church was built in its place. The community was overwhelmingly German, with Mass and prayers said in German until English gradually took over. By 2013 the parish counted 117 registered families, many still descended from the original Obert, Reising, Weber, Lefler, Hassel, Deiss, and Moll settlers whose names fill the cemetery behind the church. The settlement itself was officially renamed Snake Run — for its many crooked roads — and placed on the Indiana map on January 1, 1997.
- Founded c. 1877 on land donated by Anton Obert
- First log church later destroyed by a hard wind; present church built in its place
- Ida Whitman, first baptized in the new church (1892), became a Franciscan nun
- Parish has celebrated an annual Labor Day Chicken Dinner & Picnic for over 100 years
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by Fr. Chris Forler as pastor, named by Bishop Joseph M. Siegel while continuing as pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Daylight — a pairing typical of small rural parishes in southwestern Indiana. He is assisted by Deacons Vince Bernardin, Richard Leibundguth, and Lonny Davis. Rose Obert serves as Catechetical Leader; Lori Spindler and Terri Ziliak are the Office Managers; Jeff Meny heads Maintenance; Nick Ivy is Parish Council President; and Jessica Anderson leads the Altar Society.
- Deacons: Vince Bernardin, Richard Leibundguth, Lonny Davis
- Catechetical Leader: Rose Obert
- Office Managers: Lori Spindler ([email protected]), Terri Ziliak
- Maintenance: Jeff Meny (812-385-6861)
- Parish Council President: Nick Ivy
- Altar Society President: Jessica Anderson
Sacraments
Information on celebrating the sacraments at St. Bernard is published in each weekend bulletin. Parents must sign up for a Baptismal Class before scheduling a Baptism. Couples are asked to call the parish office at least six months before a wedding. The Sacrament of the Sick is administered by appointment, and Reconciliation is offered before Thursday evening Mass and before Sunday Mass.
- Baptism — sign up for Baptismal Class first
- Marriage — call parish office at least 6 months in advance
- Sacrament of the Sick — by appointment
- Reconciliation — before Mass on Thursday and Sunday
Religious Education
Religious Education classes for students in Pre-School through 12th grade meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., October through April. The program is led by Catechetical Leader Rose Obert. Class is canceled when South Gibson schools close for inclement weather. Separate grade-level schedules are posted as PDFs on the parish website.
- Grades Pre-K – 12th grade welcome
- Wednesday evenings, 7:00–8:00 p.m.
- October through April
- Led by Catechetical Leader Rose Obert
- Follows South Gibson School closings for weather
St. Maria Goretti (SMG) Youth Ministry
St. Bernard's youth are part of the St. Maria Goretti (SMG) Catholic Youth Ministry, a collaborative program shared with Holy Cross (Fort Branch), St. James and Sts. Peter & Paul (Haubstadt), and other Westside parishes. Open to students in incoming 6th through outgoing 12th grade, SMG offers spiritual, service, and social events — including Holiday World outings, the diocesan St. Maria Goretti Youth Distinction, and an annual summer mission trip (recently to St. Vincent Mission in David, Kentucky) — coordinated by Bryan Macke ([email protected] / 812-664-7992).
- Open to students grades 6–12
- Shared across Westside parishes (Holy Cross, Sts. Peter & Paul, St. James)
- Coordinator: Bryan Macke (812-664-7992, [email protected])
- Annual events include Holiday World outing and Summer Mission Trip (Appalachia, KY)
- Members eligible for the diocesan St. Maria Goretti Youth Distinction
Parish Life & Organizations
Beyond the sanctuary, St. Bernard is sustained by a Parish Council, the Altar Society, and a wide range of lay liturgical ministries. The School Hall and tables/chairs are available for rental through the parish office, and the parish hosts an annual Labor Day weekend Chicken Dinner & Picnic that has run for more than 100 years. Welcome Retreat weekends (formerly Christ Renews His Parish / CRHP) are offered for men and women seeking spiritual renewal.
- Parish Council (President: Nick Ivy)
- Altar Society (President: Jessica Anderson)
- Liturgical ministries: Rosary, Sacristan, Lector, Server, Greeter, Cantor, EM, Gift Bearer, Money Counters, Homebound EM
- Welcome Retreat (CRHP) — separate women's and men's weekends
- Annual Labor Day Chicken Dinner & Picnic
- School Hall, table & chair rentals through the parish office
The Rosary Garden
St. Bernard's Rosary Garden was completed in fall 2015 and dedicated on May 31, 2016 — the Marian Feast of the Visitation. The project was led by parishioners Leroy and Sauny Seib after a CRHP retreat, working with Ryan Scherer of Scherer Monuments. At its center is a five-foot marble Blessed Virgin Mary statue donated by Dolores Ziliak in memory of Charlie Ziliak, sheltered by a round columned pergola. A black granite crucifix opens the rosary; the Hail Mary beads are black granite and the Mysteries are engraved on mahogany granite, with the names of all previous pastors, associate pastors, and deacons also engraved on mahogany pieces donated by the John Otto Family. A baby in angel wings, donated as a monument to the dignity of life, joins the statuary, and granite benches mark each Mystery. The dedication Mass was celebrated by Bishop Thompson with Fr. Ron Zgunda and Fr. Tony Ernst, followed by an Altar Society reception.
- Established 2015; dedicated May 31, 2016 (Feast of the Visitation)
- Project led by Leroy and Sauny Seib
- 5' marble Blessed Virgin Mary statue (gift of Dolores Ziliak in memory of Charlie Ziliak)
- Mahogany granite Mysteries; black granite crucifix and Hail Mary beads
- Names of former pastors, associate pastors, and deacons engraved in granite
- Mahogany donated by the John Otto Family
- Dedication celebrated by Bishop Thompson with Fr. Ron Zgunda and Fr. Tony Ernst
2020 Church Renovation
In early 2020 St. Bernard undertook a major interior renovation of the church, funded largely by parish families. By mid-February 2020 the parish had raised $74,025 — 93% of its $80,000 goal — with 40 of 135 registered families (30%) contributing. The work was completed in October 2020 with the return of all repainted statues, and the parish continues to share progress photos on its 2020 Renovation page.
- Major interior renovation completed October 2020
- Fundraising goal $80,000; $74,025 raised by Feb 10, 2020
- 40 of 135 registered families contributed (30%)
- Final step: return of all repainted statues
The Bruté Award
Each year the parish nominates one of its own to the Bruté Society, the Diocese of Evansville's most prestigious honor for lay Catholics, recognizing parishioners whose stewardship of time, talent, and treasure is truly extraordinary. The diocesan Bruté Society was founded in 1990 by the Office of Stewardship & Development, with 58 charter members from 32 parishes; by its tenth anniversary in 2000 it had grown to 130 candidates from 56 parishes. St. Bernard has named a Bruté recipient nearly every year since at least 1997.
- Diocesan honor for outstanding parish stewardship
- Founded in 1990 by the Diocese of Evansville Office of Stewardship & Development
- St. Bernard recipients named nearly every year since 1997
- Parishioners may submit nominations in letter form to the Parish Council President
St. Bernard Cemetery & Memorial Day
The parish cemetery stands behind the present church on the rise where the original 1877 log church once stood, marked today by a large stone cross. The parish gathers at the cemetery for an annual Memorial Day Service at 9:00 a.m. to honor those interred there — many of them founding families whose names (Obert, Hassel, Lefler, Deiss, Moll, Weber, Bankford, Erdell) appear on the older tombstones.
- Cemetery behind the present church; site of the original 1877 log church
- Large stone cross marks the spot of the first church
- Annual Memorial Day Service at 9:00 a.m. at the cemetery
Visiting & Contact
St. Bernard Catholic Church is located at 5342 E. State Road 168, Fort Branch, IN 47648, in the rural Snake Run community east of Fort Branch. The parish office can be reached at (812) 753-4568 (parish office line: 812-615-0201) and by email at [email protected]. Visitors are warmly welcomed; new parishioners may register by emailing the parish office or calling. Weekend bulletins, the current Liturgy Schedule, religious education calendars, and renovation photos are all available on the parish website.
- Address: 5342 E. State Road 168, Fort Branch, IN 47648
- Phone: (812) 753-4568
- Parish Office: (812) 615-0201
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stbernardsnakerun.org
- New parishioners welcome — register by email or phone
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father William Deering
Among the earliest known pastors of St. Bernard, Snake Run.
- Msgr. Roman Vollmer
Served as pastor; later named Monsignor.
- Father Joseph Bauer
Listed among historic pastors.
- Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger
Served at St. Bernard early in his priestly career; later became Bishop of Evansville.
- Rev. Bernard Lutz
Recent pastor remembered in parish prayer lists.
- Fr. Sudhakar (Heralds of Good News)2014–2016; returned 2024
Indian priest who first served St. Bernard (and St. John, Daylight) 2014–2016; returned to the parish pair in summer 2024 before returning to India in July 2024.
- Fr. Brian Emmickat least through 2019
Listed as pastor in the July 2019 parish bulletin.
- Fr. Chris Forlereffective June 29 (announced by Bishop Siegel)
Named pastor of St. Bernard, Snake Run while continuing as pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Daylight.