About Saint Mary of the Assumption · Decatur, Indiana
Saint Mary of the Assumption is a historic Roman Catholic parish located at 414 W. Madison Street in Decatur, Indiana, serving the Catholic community of Adams County as part of the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend. Founded in 1838 when the first Mass was celebrated in Decatur by Father Louis Mueller, and formally named St. Mary of the Assumption on November 12, 1840, the parish is one of the oldest in the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend. It offers an active sacramental life with multiple weekend Masses, daily Mass, Perpetual Adoration devotions, and a full schedule of Confessions, alongside parish ministries in faith formation, youth ministry, music, and outreach. The current pastor is Father Jake Runyon, assisted by Associate Pastor Father Desmond Perera.
- Established
- 1838
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (under the title of her Assumption)
- Rector
- Father Jake Runyon
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
Why belong here
Saint Mary of the Assumption is one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend, with roots going back to 1838, and it remains a lively, multigenerational community of more than 1,200 families. Worship is central: four weekend Masses (Saturday Vigil plus three Sunday Masses), daily Mass six days a week, frequent Confession, and Eucharistic Adoration several days a week provide plenty of room for a deep sacramental life. Strong faith formation for children (Stephanie Brite, Director of Religious Education), a dedicated Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries (Amy Smith), a parish-school in St. Joseph Catholic School, an on-site daycare/preschool, music ministry under Music Director Ron Gage, and well-used parish facilities — including a 24/7 chapel, parish hall, gymnasium and bookstore — make it easy to find a way to belong, serve, and grow in faith here.
Mass times at Saint Mary of the Assumption
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 5:00 PM
- Tuesday 5:00 PM
- Thursday 6:30 PM
- Friday 8:45 AM
- Saturday 8:45 AM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Monday 5:00 – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday 5:00 – 6:00 PM
- Thursday 6:30 – 8:00 PM
- Friday 9:00 AM
About Saint Mary of the Assumption
Saint Mary of the Assumption is a Roman Catholic parish in Decatur, Indiana (Adams County), part of the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend. The parish traces its origins to the first Mass celebrated in Decatur in 1838 by Father Louis Mueller and was formally named St. Mary of the Assumption on November 12, 1840. It is recognized by the diocese as one of its oldest parishes, and at the time of its 175th anniversary in 2015 was home to 1,227 registered families.
- Located at 414 W. Madison St., Decatur, IN 46733
- Part of the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
- Catholic, Roman Rite
- Recognized as one of the oldest parishes in the diocese
Parish History
The parish's story stretches back to pioneer-era Catholic settlement in northeast Indiana, when Mass was offered in homes, a tavern, and even the first framed courthouse of Decatur because the community had no resident priest. The first church was built in 1846, a cemetery was established in 1844, and Father H. S. Schulties became the first resident pastor in 1852. A second church was built in 1875, a new school in 1881, and the parish has continually invested in facilities — most recently dedicating a new gymnasium in 2009 and a parish hall in 2012.
- 1838 — First Mass in Decatur celebrated by Father Louis Mueller
- 1840 — Catholic community placed under the patronage of St. Mary of the Assumption
- 1844 — Cemetery purchased in the southeastern part of the city
- 1846 — First church built
- 1852 — Father H. S. Schulties, first resident pastor, builds first rectory
- 1875 — New church completed by Father F. Von Schwedler
- 1881 — New school built under Father H. Theodore Wilken
- 1954 (May 31) — Current church dedicated by Archbishop John F. Noll
- 1967 — Closing of Decatur Catholic High School
- 1973 — Monthly Spanish Mass implemented
- 1990 — Sesquicentennial (150th) celebration
- 2009 — Gymnasium completed and dedicated by Bishop John M. D'Arcy
- 2012 — Parish Hall completed and dedicated by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades
- 2013–2015 — 175th anniversary celebration
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Father Jake Runyon and Associate Pastor Father Desmond Perera. A full staff supports faith formation, youth ministry, music, safe environment, finances, and parish administration.
- Pastor — Fr. Jake Runyon
- Associate Pastor — Fr. Desmond Perera
- Director of Religious Education — Stephanie Brite
- Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries — Amy Smith
- Music Director — Ron Gage
- Safe Environment Coordinator & Mass Intentions — Deb Myers
- Parish Secretary, Parish Hall Coordinator, & Bulletin Editor — Abby Dyer
- Church & School Financial Manager — Melinda Adams
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education for parish children is coordinated by Stephanie Brite, the parish's Director of Religious Education. The parish has long offered formal Catholic instruction for children — going back to the formal CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) classes held at St. Joseph School following the close of Decatur Catholic High School in 1967 — and continues to support a Home and School Association founded in 1962.
- Director of Religious Education — Stephanie Brite
- Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries — Amy Smith
- Long-running CCD / religious instruction program
- Home and School Association (established 1962)
St. Joseph Catholic School
The parish's school, St. Joseph Catholic School, is the educational heart of the parish community. A new school building was erected in 1881 under Father H. Theodore Wilken, the school was dedicated in 1923, and a high-school program was added in 1919. The Sisters of St. Agnes built a new convent in 1962, increasing classroom space, and in 1987 Barbara McClure was assigned as the first lay principal. In 1994 the parish opened St. Joseph Kiddie Center for daycare and pre-kindergarten, which now serves almost 100 children.
- Long-running parish school serving Decatur and the surrounding area
- Dedicated in 1923; high school course added in 1919
- First lay principal assigned in 1987 (Barbara McClure)
- Gymnasium replaced 1925 gym in 2009 with a $1M facility
- St. Joseph Kiddie Center (daycare/pre-K) opened 1994, now serving almost 100 children
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at St. Mary's is directed by Music Director Ron Gage, who coordinates the parish's choirs and musicians for the parish's frequent schedule of Masses — three on Sunday plus a Saturday Vigil and up to two weekday Masses most days.
- Music Director — Ron Gage
- Music ministry supporting four weekend Masses and daily Mass schedule
- Pipe organ / instrumental music for major feasts (per parish liturgical norms)
Parish Facilities
The parish campus has grown significantly in recent years through the 'Building On Our Heritage' (BOOH) capital campaign. The current church — dedicated on May 31, 1954 by Archbishop John F. Noll — sits alongside a 2009 gymnasium, the 2012 parish hall with its 24/7 chapel, SCRIP office, bookstore, industrial kitchen and meeting rooms, and St. Joseph School / Kiddie Center facilities across the street. The parish hall kitchen is used to prepare meals for funeral dinners, receptions, and the annual St. Mary's Fall Fest.
- Current church dedicated May 31, 1954 by Archbishop John F. Noll
- Gymnasium dedicated 2009 by Bishop John M. D'Arcy ($1,032,000)
- Parish Hall dedicated 2012 by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades ($1,546,000)
- 24/7 chapel inside the parish hall
- Handicap-accessible restrooms on the first-floor level of the church (added with parish hall)
- Industrial kitchen for funeral dinners, receptions, and Fall Fest
- Two parish cemeteries (established 1844 SE of city; 1894 west of city)
Outreach & Community Life
Beyond the sacraments and school, the parish maintains a SCRIP gift-card program, a parish bookstore, a parish-hall meeting room available for baptisms, funeral dinners and small wedding receptions, the annual St. Mary's Fall Fest, and a long-running Home and School Association that connects families across the parish school and wider community. The parish is a member of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, signaling its role as a civic as well as a spiritual presence in the community.
- St. Mary's Fall Fest (annual parish festival)
- SCRIP gift-card fundraising program (now housed in the parish hall)
- Parish bookstore
- Home and School Association
- Funeral dinners and reception hospitality through parish kitchen
- Marriage preparation and wedding receptions
- Member of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce
Visit, Connect & Get Involved
Parishioners and visitors can find Mass, Confession, Adoration times, a staffed rectory office, bulletin, and parish staff contacts on the parish website. The rectory office is open Monday–Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (closed Fridays), and the parish secretary can be reached at [email protected].
- Rectory Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (closed Friday)
- Parish phone: (260) 724-9159
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.stmarysdecatur.org/
- Pastoral Associate / staff contact lines for faith formation, youth ministry, music, safe environment and finances listed on the parish site
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Louis Mueller1838
Celebrated the first known Mass in Decatur in 1838, before the parish was formally established.
- Father H. S. Schulties1852
First resident pastor of the parish; built the first rectory.
- Father John Wemhoff1865
Drew up plans for a new (second) church.
- Father F. Von Schwedler1875
Completed the new church that had been planned.
- Father H. Theodore Wilken1880
Built a new school (1881) and a new rectory (1885).
- Father David Voors
Pastor at the time of the 175th anniversary (2013–2015); oversaw dedication of the new parish hall in 2012.