About Saint Gaspar del Bufalo · Rome City, Indiana
St. Gaspar del Bufalo Catholic Church is a small parish in Rome City, Indiana (Noble County), part of the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend. The parish was authorized by Bishop Pursley in 1956 and the church was built in 1957 on land donated by the nearby Kneipp Springs community — making it the first church in the world to be named after St. Gaspar del Bufalo following his 1954 canonization. Today the parish is pastored by Father Louis Fowoyo, supported by Deacon Ray Krouse and a small staff, and is currently undergoing an expansion project while celebrating Mass at a temporary location.
- Established
- 1957
- Patron
- St. Gaspar del Bufalo
- Rector
- Rev. Louis Fowoyo
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
Why belong here
St. Gaspar del Bufalo is a small but active parish rooted in Precious Blood spirituality — the same devotion to the Blood of Christ that inspired its patron saint to found the Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood in 1815. Parishioners can worship at weekday and Sunday Masses, spend time in Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays and at the special Precious Blood Adoration on the first Tuesday of each month, and join fellowship through the Knights of Columbus, the Rosary Sodality, the catechism program, youth ministry and a special-events team. The parish's growth has prompted a current building expansion, making this an exciting moment to get involved in a faith community with deep missionary roots in northeast Indiana.
Mass times at Saint Gaspar del Bufalo
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Half hour before each Mass
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (except first Saturday of the month)
Adoration times
- After (before) Mass on Wednesdays
- Precious Blood Adoration — first Tuesday of every month, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
About St. Gaspar del Bufalo Parish
St. Gaspar del Bufalo is a small Catholic parish in Rome City, Indiana, served by the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend and pastored by Father Louis Fowoyo. The parish is rooted in the missionary preaching of Father Dominic Duehmig in the 1860s and in the Precious Blood spirituality that its patron saint founded as a religious order in 1815. Today the parish offers daily and Sunday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, the sacrament of Reconciliation, faith formation for children and adults, and a range of lay ministries including the Knights of Columbus and the Rosary Sodality.
- Parish established: 1956–1957
- Diocese: Fort Wayne–South Bend
- Bishop: Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades
- Pastor: Rev. Louis Fowoyo
- Patron saint: St. Gaspar del Bufalo (canonized 1954)
Parish History
Catholic life in the Rome City area began with the frontier missionary Father Dominic Duehmig, fifth pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption in Avilla beginning in 1863. He built churches at Ege, Albion, Bremen and Rome City, and he helped found Kneipp Springs. The Sisters of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood bought Kneipp Springs in 1901 and built a larger Mother of Mercy Chapel in 1916. As the community outgrew the chapel, Bishop Pursley authorized a new parish in 1956, and in 1957 St. Gaspar del Bufalo church was built on land given by Kneipp Springs — the first church in the world named for the recently canonized saint.
- 1863 — Father Dominic Duehmig installed in Avilla; later builds Rome City church
- 1901 — Precious Blood Sisters purchase Kneipp Springs
- 1916 — Mother of Mercy Chapel built at Kneipp Springs
- 1956 — Bishop Pursley authorizes new parish
- 1957 — St. Gaspar del Bufalo church built on land donated by Kneipp Springs
St. Gaspar del Bufalo — The Patron Saint
St. Gaspar was born on January 6, 1786 in Rome on the feast of the Epiphany and was named after one of the three Magi. Ordained in 1808 at age 22, he was imprisoned for four years during Napoleon's reign. After Napoleon's defeat, with Rome in chaos, the Pope appointed Gaspar to preach missions, combining the spirituality of the Precious Blood with works of mercy. In 1815 he founded the Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood to 'proclaim peace through the blood of the cross,' and he opened a night oratory where men like Nicodemus could worship the Lord. He died on December 28, 1837 and was canonized on June 12, 1954.
- Born: January 6, 1786, Rome
- Ordained: 1808
- Founded Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood: 1815
- Died: December 28, 1837
- Canonized: June 12, 1954
- Feast day: December 28
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Gaspar del Bufalo runs a K–8th Grade Religious Education program that begins each September, and the parish welcomes catechists who wish to donate their time and talent to the children of the church. Adult Faith Formation is also offered, guided by three goals from the Church's catechetical mission: ongoing conversion to Jesus in holiness of life, active membership in the Christian community, and preparing adults to act as disciples in mission to the world.
- Children's Religious Education, K–8 (begins in September)
- 'Kids in Church' program
- Adult Faith Formation — Foundations of Faith course
- Marriage and Family resources
- Daily Readings link on parish website
Parish Ministries and Lay Involvement
The parish welcomes parishioners to share their time and talent through a small but active set of ministries. The Knights of Columbus chapter lives out the parish mission of 'empowering Catholic men to live their faith at home, in their parish, at work and in their community.' A Rosary Sodality gathers for Marian devotion, while a Building Committee helps manage maintenance projects at the parish. A Special Events Ministry organizes parish gatherings throughout the year, and a Youth Ministry is being formed.
- Knights of Columbus
- Rosary Sodality
- Building Committee
- Special Events Ministry
- Youth Ministry (coming soon)
- Catechists for Religious Education
Pastor, Deacon, and Staff
The parish is led by Father Louis Fowoyo, who was assigned by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades effective June 28, 2022, moving from St. Louis Besancon Parish in New Haven to St. Gaspar del Bufalo. He is assisted by Deacon Ray Krouse and a small staff. Father Louis's weekly homilies are posted online for parishioners to revisit throughout the week.
- Pastor: Rev. Louis Fowoyo ([email protected])
- Deacon: Ray Krouse ([email protected])
- Business Manager: Christine Strong
- Secretary: Karen Edwards
- Sexton: Gail Martin
- Phone: 260-854-3100
Expansion Project and Temporary Worship Site
St. Gaspar is currently in an Expansion Project to accommodate its growing parish family. While construction is underway at the parish on N State Road 9, all Masses and parish gatherings have moved to a temporary home at the Our Lady Patroness of America Center, 2730 E. Northport Road, Rome City, IN 46784. Parishioners are encouraged to follow weekly bulletins for the latest updates on construction and the eventual return to the church.
- Construction has begun
- Temporary Mass location: Our Lady Patroness of America Center
- Address: 2730 E. Northport Road, Rome City, IN 46784
- Weekly bulletins keep parishioners informed
Visiting, Office, and Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at 260-854-3100 or [email protected]. Office hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The parish also publishes a weekly bulletin, weekly homilies from Father Louis, and a registration form for new parishioners on its website.
- Address: 10871 N State Road 9, Rome City, IN 46784
- Phone: 260-854-3100
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- New parishioner registration form available on website