About Saint James The Greater · Haubstadt, Indiana
St. James the Greater is a Roman Catholic parish in Haubstadt, Indiana, belonging to the Diocese of Evansville. Founded in 1847 as the oldest Catholic congregation in Gibson County, the parish today serves rural southwest Indiana from its church at 12300 S 50 W, accompanied by an attached parish school (PreK–8). Under the pastoral leadership of Fr. Andrew Thomas, with parochial vicars Fr. Kenneth Betz and Fr. Phillip Rogier, the parish lives out its mission to 'BE Disciples – Make Disciples' through daily and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic adoration, religious education, a Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference, and the multi-parish St. Maria Goretti Youth Ministry.
- Established
- 1847
- Patron
- St. James the Greater (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Fr. Andrew Thomas
- Diocese
- Diocese of Evansville
Why belong here
St. James the Greater offers a faithful, tight-knit Catholic community rooted in nearly 180 years of history in rural southwest Indiana. Parishioners can worship at two Sunday Masses plus a Saturday vigil and weekday Masses, spend time with Christ in Eucharistic adoration, send children to the parish school (PreK–8), enroll them in K–12 religious education, serve neighbors in need through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and grow together in the St. Maria Goretti Youth Ministry. Its mission — to praise God through the Holy Eucharist, form disciples who love God and neighbor, and serve the poor — is lived out by an active laity, an altar society, a men's club, a parish pastoral council, and a disability ministry.
Mass times at Saint James The Greater
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 6:30 AM – 6:55 AM
- Sunday 8:30 AM – 8:55 AM
- Tuesday 8:00 AM – 8:25 AM
- Wednesday 6:30 PM – 6:50 PM
- Thursday 7:00 AM – 7:25 AM
- Friday 8:00 AM – 8:25 AM
- Saturday 7:00 AM – 7:50 AM (First Saturdays only)
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 4:55 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 6:55 PM (before 6:30 PM Mass)
- First Friday Adoration: Friday 9:00 AM through Saturday 8:00 AM (overnight)
Parish Identity & Mission
St. James the Greater is a Roman Catholic parish in Haubstadt, Indiana, in the Diocese of Evansville. Its published mission statement reads: 'In keeping with its Catholic belief, heritage, and tradition, the mission of St. James Parish is to praise God through the Holy Eucharist and to provide continuous spiritual leadership with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As caring disciples, education will be provided to the community while demonstrating Christian fellowship and compassion for all our neighbors.' The parish shorthand is 'BE Disciples – Make Disciples,' and the Parish Pastoral Council states that 'Saint James is a Church of disciples who make disciples that love God, love others, and serve the poor.'
- Diocese: Evansville
- Patron: St. James the Greater (feast day July 25)
- Parish motto: 'BE Disciples – Make Disciples'
History
German Catholic farmers in what is now Haubstadt received their first priest visit in 1836, when Father Czachart, a Redemptionist from Illinois, celebrated Mass in the home of F.X. Weis. After Rev. A. Deydier and Rev. Roman Weinzoepfel of Evansville served the mission, Rev. Conrad Schmiederjans oversaw construction of a 35-by-25-foot log chapel in 1845. The chapel was blessed on July 25, 1847 — the date the parish itself marks as its founding.
- 1836: First Mass in the home of F.X. Weis
- 1845: Log chapel erected under Rev. Conrad Schmiederjans
- July 25, 1847: Chapel blessed — founding date
- January 23, 1848: Pew-rental dispute leads to destruction of pews
- July 25, 1850: Harmony restored, Mass resumed
- 1855: First resident priest Rev. F.W. Pepersack; Roman-style brick church built
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by pastor Fr. Andrew Thomas with parochial vicars Fr. Kenneth Betz and Fr. Phillip Rogier. A lay staff supports operations, finances, faith formation, music, youth ministry, and sacramental coordination.
- Fr. Andrew Thomas — Pastor
- Fr. Kenneth Betz — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Phillip Rogier — Parochial Vicar
- Frank West — Coordinator of Operations
- Ruth Becker — Business Manager
- Kimberly Capin — Office Manager
- Kim Goedde — Cemetery Director
- Chris Wickman — Coordinator of Religious Education
- Laura Schneider — Assistant CRE / Sacramental Coordinator (First Communion, Confirmation)
- Breana Taylor — Sacramental Coordinator (Baptisms, Weddings)
- Drew Wilson — Director of Sacred Music
- Bryan Macke — St. Maria Goretti Youth Ministry
- Laurie Ziliak — Disability Ministry Coordinator
St. James Catholic School (PreK–8)
The parish school sits at 12394 S 40 W, Haubstadt, and shares the parish's 1847 educational tradition. The school offers a PreK through grade 8 experience, is accredited by the State of Indiana, and holds memberships in the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) and the Indiana Non-Public Education Association (INPEA). The principal is David Memmer. The school is staffed by a lay principal, nine full-time teachers, a fine arts teacher, a preschool teacher, two preschool aides, and two primary teachers' aides; class size runs 12–24 students.
- Address: 12394 S 40 W, Haubstadt, IN 47639
- Phone: 812-867-2661
- Principal: David Memmer
- Accredited by State of Indiana; member NCEA & INPEA
- All students attend weekly Mass, rosaries, and prayer services
Religious Education & Adult Faith Formation
Faith formation is described by the parish as a lifelong activity. K–12 religious education is offered jointly by St. James, Holy Cross, and Sts. Peter & Paul parishes, with classes hosted at Sts. Peter & Paul running September through April. Coordinator of Religious Education is Chris Wickman (812-768-6457); Laura Schneider serves as Assistant CRE and sacramental coordinator. Beyond high school the parishes offer Scripture Study, OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), the Welcome Retreat, Cursillo, Marriage Enrichment, and short courses on the Bible and adult formation.
- K–12 registration: $50/student for 1–2 students; $40/student for 3+
- Early-bird and late fees apply (see parish handbook)
- OCIA, Cursillo, Welcome Retreat, Marriage Enrichment offered
- Adults invited to volunteer as catechists, Rosary leaders, office/traffic helpers
Parish Ministries & Organizations
The parish sponsors an active lay ministry ecosystem. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference, led by president Steve Luigs, provides person-to-person service to neighbors in need. The St. Maria Goretti Youth Ministry unites youth from St. James, Holy Cross, St. Bernard, and Sts. Peter & Paul parishes. The Altar Society (president Ranae Rainey) and the Men's Club (president Bob Steckler) round out the traditional parish organizations, and the Parish Pastoral Council serves in a consultative role to the pastor.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — conference president Steve Luigs
- St. Maria Goretti Youth Ministry — Bryan Macke
- Altar Society — Ranae Rainey
- Men's Club — Bob Steckler
- Parish Pastoral Council — meets in St. James cafeteria
- Disability Ministry — Laurie Ziliak
Sacraments
Sacramental preparation is coordinated by a dedicated staff team. Baptisms and Weddings are coordinated by Breana Taylor; First Communion and Confirmation are coordinated by Laura Schneider. Reconciliation is offered on a regular weekly schedule (see Mass & Confession section) and on First Saturdays.
- Baptism: contact Breana Taylor
- Marriage: contact Breana Taylor
- First Communion: contact Laura Schneider
- Confirmation: contact Laura Schneider
- Confession: weekly schedule plus First Saturdays
- Anointing / emergencies: 812-768-5747
St. James (New) Cemetery
The parish cemetery lies directly across County Road 50W from the church, less than two miles south of SR 68 in Johnson Township, Gibson County. Among those buried there is Rev. John Haskamp, pastor from 1905 to 1949 (ordained June 19, 1898). Cemetery director is Kim Goedde.
- Location: across from St. James Church on west side of County Road 50W
- Coordinates: 38.1777 N, 87.5784 W
- Notable burial: Rev. John Haskamp (pastor 1905–1949)
- Director: Kim Goedde
Getting Involved
New parishioners are asked to print and complete the parish registration packet and submit it to Office Manager Kim Capin. Adults are invited to pray about serving as catechists, Rosary leaders, office volunteers, traffic helpers, or Vincentians. Parish Council meetings are held in the St. James cafeteria and are open to parish leadership.
- New parishioner registration via parish office
- Volunteer paths: catechist, Rosary leader, office helper, Vincentian
- Parish Pastoral Council meetings in the parish cafeteria
Contact & Visiting
Parish office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 7:30 AM–3:30 PM, and Tuesday/Friday 7:30 AM–12:00 PM. The mailing address is 12300 S 50 W, Haubstadt, IN 47639; the main parish phone is 812-867-5175. The school is at 12394 S 40 W (812-867-2661).
- Parish Office: 812-867-5175
- Religious Education Office: 812-768-6457
- Emergency Priest Line: 812-768-5747
- Office hours: Mon/Wed/Thu 7:30 AM–3:30 PM; Tue/Fri 7:30 AM–12:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Father Czachart (Redemptionist, from Illinois)1836–1837
First priest known to have visited the congregation; celebrated holy Mass in the house of F.X. Weis in 1836.
- Rev. A. Deydier (of Evansville)to 1840
Missionary priest who slept under trees or on straw and wore a patched coat, per parish archives.
- Rev. Roman Weinzoepfel (of Evansville)1840–1842
First regular charge of the mission.
- Rev. Conrad Schmiederjans (based at St. Wendel)1842–1845
Built the original log chapel during his tenure.
- Rev. Roman Weinzoepfel (returned)1846–
Secured the deed; the chapel was blessed on July 25, 1847. Dragged into court over the 1848 pew dispute; bishop interdicted the church until July 25, 1850.
- Rev. F.W. Pepersack1855–1866
First resident priest; cornerstone of the Roman-style brick church laid July 25, 1855.
- Rev. M. Ficker1866–1868
Died July 18, 1868.
- Benedictine Fathers (interim)1868–September 1868
Took charge after Fr. Ficker's death.
- Rev. J.B.H. Seepeuntil spring 1875
Removed due to poor health.
- Benedictine Fathers (returned) / Rev. J.J. Merckl1875–1877
Added a sacristy, repaired the parsonage, built Sts. Peter and Paul in Haubstadt.
- Rev. John Haskamp1905–1949
Ordained June 19, 1898; long-serving pastor buried in the parish's New Cemetery.