About Saint Martin de Porres · Syracuse, Indiana
Saint Martin de Porres Catholic Church is a Latin-rite parish in the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend serving the Syracuse, Indiana community on the shores of Lake Wawasee. Established on January 19, 1966 and dedicated by Bishop Leo A. Pursley on June 11 of that same year, it grew from 65 founding families into a year-round community of roughly 300 registered families, a number that doubles each summer as seasonal residents return to the lake. The parish is pastored by Rev. Fr. Andrew Nazareth and offers Sunday and weekday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration on First Friday and First Wednesday, and Reconciliation on Saturdays.
- Established
- 1966
- Patron
- St. Martin de Porres
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Andrew Nazareth
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
Why belong here
St. Martin de Porres offers a tight-knit, lake-country Catholic community with the full rhythm of parish life — daily Mass three days a week plus a Wednesday evening Mass, monthly First Friday and First Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration, and Saturday Reconciliation. Families will find free parish religious education (Kindergarten through 9th grade) held between the two Sunday Masses, plus sacramental preparation through the OCIA program for adults and older children. Outreach runs through a St. Vincent de Paul Society, a Knights of Columbus council, Eucharistic ministry to the homebound, a regular food drive for the poor, adult education, and a parish choir.
Mass times at Saint Martin de Porres
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- By appointment after all daily Masses
Adoration times
- First Friday of each month: after the 8:00 a.m. Mass until 9:00 a.m.
- First Wednesday of each month: after the 5:30 p.m. Mass until 6:30 p.m.
About Saint Martin de Porres Parish
Saint Martin de Porres Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend that welcomes visitors and seekers to its Sunday celebration of the Eucharist in Syracuse, Indiana. Pastor Fr. Andrew Nazareth, in the parish's own words, extends the invitation on behalf of the whole community: 'We continue to bring the Kingdom of God to Syracuse by bringing hearts to Jesus Christ.'
Parish History
St. Martin de Porres was canonically established on January 19, 1966, with Father Eugene Zimmerman as its first pastor. The church was dedicated by Bishop Leo A. Pursley on June 11, 1966. Members of Syracuse's Catholic community had previously traveled to St. Patrick in Ligonier or St. Francis Xavier in Pierceton, and Father Zimmerman at first served both St. Francis and St. Martin's. The 2006 renovation under a later pastor more than doubled the usable space and changed how the parish ministers.
- Established January 19, 1966; dedicated June 11, 1966 by Bishop Leo A. Pursley.
- Original interior intentionally designed to resemble a capsized boat.
- 65 registered families at founding; approximately 300 year-round today, doubling in summer.
- 2006 expansion added two-level footprint, religious-education wing, elevator, narthex, and additional parking.
- Air conditioning later added to the parish hall.
Sacramental Life
Beyond the Sunday and weekday Eucharist, the parish offers Reconciliation, Adoration, and Communion/Anointing for the sick and homebound. Adult initiation and the sacraments of initiation for those over age 7 are handled through the OCIA program (formerly RCIA), coordinated by Fr. Andrew and Pastoral Associate Sara Schade.
- Reconciliation: Saturday 3:45–4:30 p.m. and by appointment after any daily Mass.
- Eucharistic Adoration: First Friday (after 8:00 a.m. Mass until 9:00 a.m.) and First Wednesday (after 5:30 p.m. Mass until 6:30 p.m.).
- Communion to the Sick at Home / Anointing of the Sick by arrangement with Fr. Andrew Nazareth, 574-457-8176 Ext. 2.
- OCIA / RCIA for adults and children over the age of reason seeking Baptism, Confirmation, or full communion.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Martin's Religious Education program is open to all parish children in Kindergarten through Ninth Grade. Classes meet between the two Sunday Masses, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., beginning the first Sunday after Labor Day and concluding on the second Sunday in May. The program is free to enrolled parishioners. The 2006 building expansion created a dedicated religious-education wing so that classes no longer have to meet in basement storage rooms.
- Open to children in Kindergarten through 9th grade.
- Sundays 9:00–10:45 a.m., first Sunday after Labor Day through second Sunday in May.
- No fees for parishioners.
- Dedicated parish religious-education wing added in the 2006 renovation.
Parish Ministries and Outreach
The parish supports a range of ministries that combine worship, formation, fellowship, and outreach to the wider Syracuse community. The St. Vincent de Paul Society addresses local needs, the Knights of Columbus (Council #7551) provides fraternal Catholic service, and Eucharistic Ministers carry the Eucharist to those unable to attend Mass. Adult education and a parish choir round out formation and liturgical life, while a regular food drive for the poor keeps the parish connected to families in need.
- Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Knights of Columbus
- Parish Choir
- Adult Education
- Food Drive for the Poor
- Religious Education (K–9)
Clergy, Staff, and Pastoral Team
The parish is led by Rev. Fr. Andrew Nazareth, who serves as pastor. Fr. Andrew can be reached at the parish office (574-457-8176 Ext. 2) or by email at [email protected], and also at his cell (260-820-2691) for sacramental emergencies such as Anointing of the Sick or Communion visits. Sara Schade serves as Pastoral Associate, assisting in particular with OCIA inquiries.
- Rev. Fr. Andrew Nazareth – Pastor (574-457-8176 Ext. 2; cell 260-820-2691; [email protected])
- Sara Schade – Pastoral Associate, assists with OCIA
- Parish Office – 574-457-8176 Ext. 3
Contact and Visit
The parish is located at 6941 East Waco Drive in Syracuse, Indiana. Visitors and parishioners are invited to call the parish office with questions about Mass times, the sacraments, religious education enrollment, or any other need.
- Address: 6941 E Waco Dr, Syracuse, IN 46567
- Parish phone: 574-457-8176
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.stmartinchurchsyracuse.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Eugene Zimmerman1966–1976
Founding pastor; initially also served St. Francis Xavier in Pierceton.
- Father Richard Hireserved at least 8 years by the time of the Today's Catholic article
Oversaw the 2006 expansion that doubled the parish's square footage and added the religious-education wing, elevator, narthex, and extra parking.