About Saint Mary · Sullivan, Indiana
Saint Mary Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Sullivan, Indiana, part of the Diocese of Evansville. According to GCatholic, the parish's history dates to 1867, making it one of the older Catholic communities in southwestern Indiana. Worship is centered at 105 E. Jackson Street, where Father Suresh Bakka serves as Parish Administrator alongside Deacons Albert Frabutt and Brian McCammon. The parish operates in tandem with its sister church, St. Joan of Arc in nearby Jasonville, with weekend Masses offered at both locations.
- Established
- 1867
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (Saint Mary)
- Rector
- Father Suresh Bakka
- Diocese
- Diocese of Evansville (the current diocesan bishop is Most Reverend Joseph M. Siegel, D.D., STL, the sixth Bishop of Evansville, installed December 15, 2017)
Why belong here
Saint Mary offers a welcoming small-town Catholic community rooted in more than 150 years of faith in Sullivan County. Parishioners can attend daily and weekend Mass at the historic Jackson Street church, spend time in weekly Tuesday Adoration, pray the Rosary before Sunday Mass, and bring their children to CCD classes for kindergarten through Confirmation preparation. The parish also welcomes adults through RCIA, supports those in recovery with on-site AA and NA meetings, and shares a tight-knit partnership with sister parish St. Joan of Arc in Jasonville — all within a single parish family under the Diocese of Evansville.
Mass times at Saint Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before Tuesday Mass (St. Mary)
- 30 minutes before 1st Saturday Mass (St. Mary)
- 30 minutes before Saturday evening Mass (St. Mary)
- 30 minutes before Sunday Masses (St. Mary and St. Joan)
- Saturday 3:30 pm at St. Mary
- Sunday 8:30 am at St. Mary
- Sunday 4:30 pm at St. Joan of Arc, Jasonville
- Tuesday 5:15 pm at St. Mary
- By appointment (call 812-512-0997)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 5:00 pm (St. Mary, before the 6:00 pm Mass)
About Saint Mary Catholic Church
Saint Mary Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Sullivan, Indiana, that has served the local Catholic community since 1867. As part of the Diocese of Evansville, the parish is a multi-generational faith family offering daily and weekend Mass, weekly Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and sacramental preparation for Baptism, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick. The parish works closely with its sister church, St. Joan of Arc in nearby Jasonville, sharing clergy and ministry.
- Founded 1867 — one of the older Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Evansville
- Located at 105 E. Jackson Street, Sullivan, IN 47882
- A parish of the Diocese of Evansville (Bishop Joseph M. Siegel)
- Sister parish: St. Joan of Arc, 327 W. McKinley St., Jasonville, IN
Clergy and Parish Staff
The parish is led by Father Suresh Bakka as Parish Administrator, with sacramental and pastoral support from two permanent deacons, Albert Frabutt and Brian McCammon. Administrative support is provided by Jeanie Whiteman and Shannan Hudson. Office hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with an emergency line and an after-hours sacramental emergency number for urgent pastoral needs.
- Father Suresh Bakka — Parish Administrator ([email protected])
- Deacon Albert Frabutt ([email protected])
- Deacon Brian McCammon ([email protected])
- Jeanie Whiteman — Administrative Support ([email protected])
- Shannan Hudson — Administrative Support ([email protected])
Sister Parish: St. Joan of Arc, Jasonville
Saint Mary shares pastoral leadership with St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Jasonville, about 10 miles south of Sullivan. The two parishes collaborate on weekend Mass coverage, with the Sunday evening Mass celebrated at St. Joan of Arc. Jasonville parishioners are also visited for Communion Calls on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.
- St. Joan of Arc — 327 W. McKinley St., Jasonville, IN
- Sunday Mass: 5:00 pm (Rosary at 4:20 pm)
- Confessions: 30 minutes before Mass and Sunday 4:30 pm
- Communion Calls for St. Joan parishioners: 1st & 3rd Sunday
- AA meeting Wednesday 7:00 pm at St. Joan Brenner Hall
Religious Education and Faith Formation
The parish operates a robust religious education program out of its Religious Education Building at the corner of Broad and Harris Streets. CCD classes welcome students from Kindergarten through Confirmation (Grade 10), and RCIA prepares adults for full initiation into the Catholic Church. Adult formation also includes an Apologetics Group for parishioners seeking to deepen their understanding of the faith.
- CCD Classes — Sundays at 10:00 am, K through Confirmation (Grade 10); Registration, Medical, and Media Release forms required
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) — Tuesdays at 7:00 pm; call 812-512-0997 to register
- Apologetics Group — St. Mary; schedule TBD
- Communion Calls: St. Mary parishioners visited 2nd & 4th Wednesday
Recovery and Outreach Ministries
Saint Mary's Religious Education Building hosts regular Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, making the parish a community hub for those in recovery. The parish also connects parishioners in need with the Diocese of Evansville's Project Rachel ministry for confidential post-abortion healing.
- AA — Tuesdays & Thursdays 8:00 pm, St. Mary Religious Education Building
- AA — Wednesdays 12:00 pm and Saturdays 1:00 pm, St. Mary Religious Education Building
- AA — Wednesdays 7:00 pm, St. Joan of Arc Brenner Hall, Jasonville
- NA — Sundays 10:00 am, St. Mary Religious Education Building
- Project Rachel (Diocese of Evansville) — 812-483-7812, [email protected]
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all the usual Catholic sacraments. Preparation programs and advance notice are required for Baptism and Marriage, while Anointing of the Sick and Reconciliation are available by appointment for those in need.
- Anointing of the Sick — anytime by appointment (e.g., before surgery); 812-268-4088 (office) or 812-512-0997 (emergency)
- Baptism — parents must be registered; Pre-Baptismal Preparation required; contact the Parish Office
- Reconciliation — see confession schedule above or by appointment
- Marriage — contact the pastor at least six months before the intended wedding date; one party must be a registered, practicing Catholic
Contact and Visiting Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person during posted office hours. Driving directions to the Jackson Street church are provided for travelers arriving from Hwy 41 or from Sullivan Lake, and online giving is available through the Diocese of Evansville's portal.
- Church Office: 812-268-4088 (Tue–Thu, 9:00 am–4:00 pm)
- Emergency line: 812-912-0680
- After-hours sacramental emergency: 812-512-0997
- Mailing: P.O. Box 506, Sullivan, IN 47882
- Online giving: evdio.org
- Facebook: St. Mary-Sullivan