About Saint Mary · Huntington, Indiana
Saint Mary Catholic Church is a Roman-Latin rite parish in Huntington, Indiana, part of the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend. Founded on May 16, 1896 by Bishop Rademacher and dedicated October 10, 1897, it serves the English-speaking Catholics of the Huntington area, having grown out of a German-founded congregation at SS. Peter & Paul. The parish worships in a striking Roman-basilica style church designed by Chicago architect M. A. Druiding, built of red polished brick with twin towers of 130 and 94 feet, and now serves about 1,500 families with Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish.
- Established
- 1896
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Fr. Tony Steinacker
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
Why belong here
St. Mary offers a rare combination of historic beauty and active parish life — a 130-foot-tall Roman basilica church built in 1896 by the Roche family's gift, anchored by a daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration schedule that goes back to the parish's centennial year. Families find a real K–8 Catholic school partnership (with SS. Peter & Paul) plus religious education that is moving to a home-based Family Formation model in 2026, bilingual outreach through Sunday and Wednesday Spanish Masses, and a strong devotional life centered on the permanent Adoration Chapel, the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, and parish prayer chains. With roughly 1,500 members, it's large enough to offer ministries for every age and small enough that newcomers are quickly known by name at the rectory on N. Jefferson Street.
Mass times at Saint Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 – 3:45 pm
- Tuesday – Thursday 7:30 – 7:50 am (before morning Mass)
- Friday 9:00 – 10:00 am
- Friday 5:00 – 6:00 pm
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (Blessed Sacrament Adoration Chapel)
- Tuesday – Thursday 8:30 – 8:45 am (after daily Mass)
- First Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Parish History
St. Mary parish was established on May 16, 1896 by Bishop Rademacher and dedicated October 10, 1897, born out of a long-running rift between English- and German-speaking Catholics of the existing SS. Peter & Paul parish in Huntington. Its construction was the vision of businessman John Roche, taken up after his 1894 death by his sister Bridget, whose inherited fortune funded the church, organ, and furnishings. The Roman basilica design by Chicago architect M. A. Druiding was built of red polished brick with towers of 130 and 94 feet; the cornerstone was laid October 3, 1896, on what would have been John Roche's 79th birthday. See the full multi-generation pastor list and detailed chronology above.
Sacramental Life
Sacraments at St. Mary include Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist and First Reconciliation (typically in 2nd grade after preparation), Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Reconciliation. Two years of Confirmation preparation are required for 8th graders using 'Chosen: Your Journey Toward Confirmation' (Ascension Press). Children over the age of reason (7) who are unbaptized receive Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion together through a modified OCIA process. Marriage preparation is coordinated through the pastor and Wedding Coordinator Hannah Dinius.
- Baptism — Fr. Tony Steinacker or Fr. Oscar
- Confirmation — Drew Stuart (Faith Formation Director)
- First Reconciliation & First Communion — Grade 2 prep, Drew Stuart / Doña Reust
- Marriage — Fr. Tony Steinacker & Hannah Dinius
- OCIA (RCIA) for unbaptized adults and older children
- Anointing of the Sick & Communion to the Sick — on request
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Children's faith formation at St. Mary runs Sunday mornings from 9:10 to 10:10 am in the former Huntington Catholic Middle School building on the parish grounds, serving public-school children in Kindergarten through 8th grade from September through April. Drew Stuart (Faith Formation Director, also serving SS. Peter & Paul) and Doña Reust (Pastoral Associate) co-coordinate the program. Beginning October 2026, the K–6 program is shifting to a 'Family Formation' monthly model that brings parents into the catechetical process and includes weekly home lessons. Grades 7 & 8 will continue meeting weekly for Confirmation preparation using 'Chosen' from Ascension Press.
- Religious Education K–8: Sundays 9:10–10:10 am, Sept. through April
- Curricula: 'Allelu!' (K), 'Spirit of Truth' (1–7), 'Chosen' (8)
- Family Formation launching October 2026 for grades K–6
- Confirmation prep: 2-year diocesan program for 8th graders
- Contact: Drew Stuart (260-224-0522) and Doña Reust (260-230-6541)
Catholic Schools (PreK–8)
St. Mary partners with SS. Peter & Paul to operate Huntington Catholic Schools for PreK–8, with the middle school located on the St. Mary grounds. The schools continue the educational mission begun in 1897 when the Sisters of Providence first staffed St. Mary School and continue to flourish today.
- St. Mary Middle School (on parish grounds)
- Elementary school at SS. Peter & Paul
- Historical note: St. Mary's high school won the 1935 and 1941 Catholic High School State Basketball Tournament before closing after 1984–85
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Beyond the sacraments and school, St. Mary runs a network of ministries supporting parishioners of all ages and reaching out to the wider Huntington community. These include the parish's St. Vincent de Paul conference, the Knights of Columbus (Council 1014), a parish choir, an Open Door Ministry for those in need, a prayer chain, and a Funeral Masses and Dinners Respite Program. Doña Reust serves as Pastoral Associate coordinating pastoral care; Joe Rakoczy directs the parish choir.
- St. Vincent de Paul — Jim Tester, [email protected]
- Knights of Columbus Council 1014 — [email protected]
- Open Door Ministry — 260-359-7777
- Prayer Chain — Alice Pillsbury, 260-388-2884
- Funeral Masses & Dinners Respite — Judy Shaw, 260-388-4309
- Parish Choir — Joe Rakoczy, [email protected]
- Eucharistic Ministers (since 1974) — visit the sick and assist at Mass
Clergy, Staff & Parish Office
St. Mary is currently pastored by Fr. Tony Steinacker, with Fr. Oscar serving as Parochial Vicar and Deacon Roger (Dinius) assisting. The parish staff includes a Business Manager, Parish Secretary, Maintenance lead, Choir Director, Faith Formation Director (also serving SS. Peter & Paul), Pastoral Associate, and Wedding Coordinator. The rectory and parish office are reachable at (260) 356-4398 and 903 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN 46750.
- Fr. Tony Steinacker — Pastor ([email protected])
- Fr. Oscar — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Deacon Roger — Deacon ([email protected])
- Brandon Leist — Business Manager
- Jennifer Flores — Parish Secretary
- Garrett Thomas — Maintenance
- Joe Rakoczy — Choir Director
- Drew Stuart — Religious Education / Faith Formation Director
- Doña Reust — Pastoral Associate
- Hannah Dinius — Wedding Coordinator
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John R. Quinlan1896–1910
First pastor of St. Mary; appointed from assistant pastor at the cathedral by Bishop Rademacher on May 16, 1896
- Father John Durham1901
Interim Pastor
- Father John Noll1910–1925
- Father Robert E. Kelly1925–1932
- Father Thomas E. Dillon1932–1953
- Father Edward A. Miller1953–1962
- Father James J. O'Conner1962–1968
- Father Raymond Balzer1968–1970
- Father Robert L. Traub1970–1978
- Father James F. Seculoff1978–1983
- Father Richard Urbine1983–1985
- Father William Kummer1985–1990
Began the renovation projects that would be completed by his successors
- Father Paul McCarthy1990–1994
Continued and largely completed the major renovation of the church in preparation for the centennial
- Father Gary Sigler1994–2005
Finished the renovation program in time for the 1996 centennial; oversaw opening of Adoration Chapel in 1996
- Father John F. Pfister2005–2015
- Father Stephen E. Colchin2015
Per parish About page
- Father Thomas Zehr
Listed on Wikipedia as current priest (dated Wikipedia snapshot)
- Fr. Tony Steinacker
Current pastor per official website contact page