About Saint Joseph · Evansville, Indiana
Saint Joseph Church in Evansville, Indiana, is the historic church campus of All Saints Catholic Parish. Founded in 1905, it was the first English-speaking Catholic parish in Evansville and the first new parish of the 20th century in the city. Now merged into All Saints Parish since July 1, 2015, the St. Joseph campus continues to host the parish's Saturday Vigil Mass in a striking 1924 neo-Romanesque church known for its rounded arches, limestone columns, and Italian-crafted marble sanctuary with a mosaic of the 'Death of Joseph' in the baldachin. The parish is part of the Diocese of Evansville and serves the northeastern section of Evansville from its location on East Virginia Street.
- Established
- 1905
- Patron
- Saint Joseph
- Rector
- Father John Pfister (Administrator, effective June 24, 2025)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Evansville
Why belong here
Saint Joseph Church offers the warmth of Evansville's first English-speaking parish in a stunning 1924 neo-Romanesque building. As a campus of All Saints Parish, it welcomes newcomers, returning Catholics, the curious, and the doubtful alike through Saturday Vigil Mass, daily and Sunday Masses at the sister St. Anthony campus, OCIA for those becoming Catholic, Family Faith Formation for K–8, a youth ministry in partnership with Holy Redeemer, men's and women's fellowship, Bible Study, JustFaith, SPRED for adults with disabilities, Vacation Bible School, and a strong justice and charity outreach. The parish's vision is to be a faith-filled family that acts justly, loves tenderly, forgives freely, and walks humbly with God.
Mass times at Saint Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM (before the 4:00 PM Vigil Mass at St. Joseph Church, 618 E. Virginia Street)
- Sunday 10:00 AM (before the 10:30 AM Mass at St. Anthony Church, 704 N. First Avenue)
Parish History
Saint Joseph Parish was organized in 1905 to serve the growing population of the northeastern section of Evansville. It was the first English-speaking parish in the city and the first new parish of the 20th Century, carved from Saint Anthony, Saint Mary, and Assumption parishes. The first Mass was celebrated in a former grocery store at 519 North Main Street, and Father Patrick Rowan directed the construction of the original Church/School building and convent in 1906. The Benedictine Sisters of Ferdinand began teaching at Saint Joseph in 1907, beginning a 79-year relationship. In 1915 the building became a 'double-decker,' with the Church space upstairs. The cornerstone of the present neo-Romanesque church was laid May 20, 1923; it was completed in 1924 and dedicated by Bishop Chartrand on August 10, 1924. The altar had been dedicated one day earlier by Bishop Emmanuel B. Ledvina of Corpus Christi, Texas. Saint Joseph School merged with Saint Anthony School to form Ascension School in 1987, and Ascension School closed after one year. All Saints Parish was created on July 1, 2015 with the merger of St. Anthony and St. Joseph parishes.
- 1905 — Parish organized; first English-speaking parish in Evansville
- 1906 — Father Patrick Rowan begins Church/School and convent construction
- 1907 — Benedictine Sisters of Ferdinand begin 79-year teaching mission
- 1915 — 'Double-decker' addition makes the Church the upper floor
- 1923–24 — Neo-Romanesque church constructed
- August 9, 1924 — Altar dedicated by Bishop Emmanuel B. Ledvina
- August 10, 1924 — Church dedicated by Bishop Chartrand
- 1944 — Diocese of Evansville formed
- 1947 — Northern section set off as Saint Theresa Parish
- 1954 — New school with 14 classrooms, gym, and cafeteria; first lay-woman teacher hired
- 1968 — Sanctuary reconfigured for Vatican II; new granite altar erected
- 1981 — Baldachin restored after falling through the floor
- 1987 — St. Joseph School merges with St. Anthony to form Ascension School
- July 1, 2015 — Merger creates All Saints Parish
Architecture & Sanctuary
The 1924 Saint Joseph Church is described as having neo-Romanesque architecture, marked by rounded arches and stately limestone columns — a style unique to the churches of Evansville. The marble sanctuary furnishings were acquired with significant support from benefactor Francis Joseph Reitz. Italian artisans traveled to Evansville to install the marble pieces and to lay the mosaic of the 'Death of Joseph' in the baldachin (the small marble canopy over the tabernacle). The high altar, baldachin, and sanctuary were fully restored by The Marble Shop of Knoxville, Tennessee after the baldachin crashed through the floor during 1981 interior renovations; the work was completed 14 months later.
- Neo-Romanesque style
- Rounded arches and limestone columns
- Italian-installed marble sanctuary
- Mosaic of the 'Death of Joseph' in the baldachin
- Restored by The Marble Shop of Knoxville, Tennessee (1981–82)
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the parish's process for adults wishing to join the Catholic Church or complete their initiation sacraments. It is for catechumens (never baptized), candidates (baptized in another Christian tradition), and adult Catholics seeking Confirmation. The journey moves through Inquiry, the Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment during Lent, and culminates at the Easter Vigil with the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. A year of Mystagogy follows. Inquirers, sponsors, and team members are all invited to contact the Parish Office.
- Inquiry — initial questions about Catholic faith
- Catechumenate — teaching on sacraments, creed, Scripture, prayer
- Purification & Enlightenment — Lenten period of inner reflection
- Easter Vigil — Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist
- Mystagogy — post-initiation formation
Family Faith Formation & Youth
Family Faith Formation welcomes youth from Kindergarten through grade 8 along with their families, gathering every other Sunday at the St. Anthony cafeteria for fellowship, prayer, scripture reflection, and Catholic learning. A pitch-in breakfast begins at 8:30 AM with the session running 9:00–10:15 AM. First Communion candidates have an additional preparation program. The parish Youth Group partners with Holy Redeemer for junior high, high school, and young adult ministry, and runs SAVIO (young men, grades 8–12) and SIENA (young women, grades 8–12). Vacation Bible School is offered in summer in collaboration with a neighboring parish. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during the 10:30 AM Mass.
- Family Faith Formation — K through grade 8
- First Communion preparation
- Children's Liturgy of the Word — Sundays at 10:30 AM
- Vacation Bible School — summer, preschool through 4th grade
- Youth Group in partnership with Holy Redeemer
- SAVIO (young men, grades 8–12)
- SIENA (young women, grades 8–12)
Music & Liturgy
Music is central to worship at All Saints Parish. Fatima (Chan) Seib serves as Music Coordinator for the 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM liturgies; Jennifer Sider coordinates music for the 5:00 PM Praise Mass, with Tina Schutte leading praise music. The Children's Choir and Covenant Choir provide liturgical music for parish celebrations. The Liturgy Commission, currently led by Commissioner Laura Ackerman, oversees the parish's worship life.
- Children's Choir — contact Fatima at [email protected]
- Covenant Choir — contact Fatima at [email protected]
- 5:00 PM Praise Mass music team
- Liturgy Commission
Fellowship, Prayer & Adult Faith
Adult parishioners have many ways to grow in faith and community. The A-Men's Club meets at 6:00 PM on the third Tuesday of each month, and the All Saints Parish Women in Ministry group meets at 6:00 PM on the fourth Monday. Bible Study gathers Wednesday mornings from 8:00–9:30 AM in the Fr. Niehaus Room. JustFaith is a small-group engagement program focused on Catholic social teaching and the call to justice and compassion. Catholics Returning Home is a six-week series of informal listening sessions for non-practicing Catholics. A Phone/Email Prayer Chain prays for immediate needs.
- A-Men's Club — 3rd Tuesday, 6:00 PM
- Women in Ministry — 4th Monday, 6:00 PM
- Bible Study — Wednesdays, 8:00–9:30 AM, Fr. Niehaus Room
- JustFaith
- Catholics Returning Home — six-week sessions
- Phone/Email Prayer Chain
Justice, Charity & Outreach
The Justice & Charity Commission, led by Commissioner Kathy Reitz, organizes the parish's outreach efforts, supported by Justice Ministry Coordinator Brenda Meyer. All Saints Parish commits to living out Micah 6:8 — to act justly, love tenderly, forgive freely, and walk humbly with God. The parish partners with neighboring parishes (such as the youth ministry partnership with Holy Redeemer) and collaborates on Vacation Bible School. SPRED provides Special Religious Education for adults with disabilities.
- Justice & Charity Commission
- Justice Ministry Coordinator
- SPRED — Special Religious Education for adults with disabilities
- Outreach in collaboration with neighboring parishes
Parish Staff & Council
All Saints Parish is currently led by Administrator Father John Pfister (effective June 24, 2025). Father Zachary J. Etienne (also Pastor of Good Shepherd Parish and Dean of the South Deanery) serves as Moderator. Sacramental Ministers are Father Jay Davidson and Father Steve Lintzenich. The lay pastoral team includes Pastoral Life Coordinator Sharon Vogler, Director of Ministries Tom Bogenschutz, Business Manager / Pastoral Associate Kristi Wagner, Justice Ministry Coordinator Brenda Meyer, and Administrative Assistant Paula Baehl. The Parish Pastoral Council includes officers, members-at-large, and commissioners for each of the six ministry commissions: Building & Finance, Community Life, Faith Formation, Justice & Charity, Liturgy, and Youth.
- Father John Pfister — Administrator (since June 24, 2025)
- Father Zach Etienne — Moderator
- Father Jay Davidson — Sacramental Minister
- Father Steve Lintzenich — Sacramental Minister
- Sharon Vogler — Pastoral Life Coordinator
- Tom Bogenschutz — Director of Ministries
- Kristi Wagner — Business Manager / Pastoral Associate
- Brenda Meyer — Justice Ministry Coordinator
- Six Ministry Commissions: Building & Finance, Community Life, Faith Formation, Justice & Charity, Liturgy, Youth
Getting Involved & Contact
Anyone interested in joining a ministry is invited to call the Parish Office at 812-423-5209 or contact Director of Ministries Tom Bogenschutz at extension 104. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–4:30 PM and Friday 8:00 AM–1:30 PM, located at 704 N. First Avenue, Evansville, IN 47710. The St. Joseph Church campus is at 618 E. Virginia Street. Hearing assistance is available at Mass — ask any member of the Parish Team. New parishioners can request a parish packet and directory by calling the office.
- Parish Office: 812-423-5209
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–4:30 PM; Fri 8:00 AM–1:30 PM
- Office address: 704 N. First Avenue, Evansville, IN 47710
- St. Joseph Church: 618 E. Virginia Street, Evansville, IN 47711
- Hearing assistance available at Mass
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Patrick Rowancirca 1906–
Directed construction of the original Church/School building and convent in 1906.
- Father Jay (retired)pre-2022
Sharon Vogler became Pastoral Life Coordinator after Fr. Jay's retirement a couple of years before 2024.
- Father Zachary J. Etiennethrough ~2025
Moderator of All Saints Parish; concurrently Pastor of Good Shepherd Parish, Evansville, and Dean of the South Deanery.
- Father John Pfistereffective June 24, 2025
Assigned by Bishop Joseph M. Siegel as Administrator of All Saints Parish.