About Saint Philip Neri · Bicknell, Indiana
St. Philip Neri Parish is a small, close-knit Roman Catholic community of about 100 families in Bicknell, Indiana, founded in 1908 to serve the Catholics of northern Knox County and the surrounding area. It is part of the North Deanery of the Diocese of Evansville and is twinned with St. Francis Xavier Parish in Vincennes, sharing priests who serve both parishes. The parish gathers for Sunday and weekday Mass in English, offers Eucharistic Adoration, a weekly Rosary, and Confession before Sunday Mass, and is supported by a Parish Council, a Worship Committee, and outreach ministries such as the St. Teresa Fund and the North Knox Food & Clothing Pantry.
- Established
- 1908
- Patron
- Saint Philip Neri
- Rector
- Rev. Tony Ernst
- Diocese
- Diocese of Evansville
Why belong here
St. Philip Neri is a small, close-knit Catholic community of about 100 families in Bicknell that warmly welcomes new faces, making it easy to know your neighbors and to be known by them. Worship is at the heart of parish life, with Sunday Mass, Tuesday evening Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration (Tuesdays and on the second Saturday of the month), a Monday Rosary, and regular Confession. Parishioners also live their faith outside the church through the St. Teresa Fund (which quietly helps neighbors in financial or material need) and through cooperation with the North Knox Food & Clothing Pantry, which distributes food on Wednesdays and clothing on the second and fourth Thursdays.
Mass times at Saint Philip Neri
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 8:30 AM (before 9:00 AM Mass)
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM (second Saturday of the month)
Welcome to St. Philip Neri
St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Bicknell, Indiana, is a parish of about 100 families who strive to be a warm and welcoming family of believers in Jesus Christ. Founded in 1908, the parish serves Catholics in northern Knox County and the surrounding area and is twinned with St. Francis Xavier Parish in Vincennes, sharing priests who serve both communities. St. Philip Neri is part of the North Deanery in the Diocese of Evansville.
- About 100 families in the parish
- Twinned with St. Francis Xavier Parish, Vincennes
- North Deanery, Diocese of Evansville
- Founded in 1908
Mass & Worship Schedule
The parish's regular weekly Mass schedule, in English, centers on Sunday morning and Tuesday evening worship, with a Vigil Mass offered on Holy Days. Eucharistic Adoration is offered every Tuesday before the evening Mass and for an extended morning session on the second Saturday of each month, and a Rosary is prayed each Monday evening.
- Sunday Mass: 9:00 AM (English)
- Tuesday Mass: 6:00 PM (English)
- Holy Day Vigil Mass: 6:30 PM
- Confessions: Sunday 8:30 AM
- Eucharistic Adoration: Tuesday 5:00–6:00 PM
- Eucharistic Adoration: Saturday 6:00 AM–12:00 PM (second Saturday of the month)
- Rosary: Monday 6:30 PM
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Philip Neri is led by a pastor and two parochial vicars who are shared with St. Francis Xavier Parish in Vincennes, supported by a team of five active deacons (plus one retired) and dedicated lay staff in religious education, music, and parish administration.
- Pastor: Rev. Tony Ernst
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Caleb Scherzinger
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Clint Johnson
- Deacons: Reynaldo Carandang, Ronald Cardinal, Pat Herman, Kevin Kilmer, Cletus Yochum
- Deacon Earl Ruppel (retired)
- CRE (Religious Education): Carrie Horton
- Music Director: Joyce Villwock
- Organist: Dani Yochum
- Parish Secretary/Bookkeeper: Rose McGuire
Parish Council
The St. Philip Neri Parish Council is the consultative body of laypersons working with the pastor in the management and operation of the parish. It meets every other month to review items pertaining to liturgy, finance, worship, education, building and grounds, maintenance, and other parish matters, and all parishioners are welcome to attend.
- Meets every other month
- 2026 members: Leah Singleton, Tara Albright, Jill Doades, Carol Wampler, Marcia Yochum, Brandon Decker, Louis Kocher, Rusty Stinebaugh, and Don Villwock
Worship Committee
The Worship Committee works to foster and stimulate the parish's growing faith in Jesus Christ, caring for Mass, the worship environment, and other spiritual and worship issues. Meeting times are announced in the parish bulletin.
- Supports parish Mass and worship environment
- Meeting times published in the bulletin
Parish Organizations & Outreach
Beyond worship, St. Philip Neri parishioners live their faith through local outreach: a confidential in-parish benevolence fund and an ecumenical food and clothing pantry that serves the broader North Knox community.
- St. Teresa Fund – confidential parish assistance for parishioners and community members in financial or material crisis; donations accepted especially on the fifth Sunday of any month
- St. Teresa Committee: Carol Wampler, Lisa Thonn, Marcia Yochum
- North Knox Food & Clothing Pantry – ecumenical volunteer ministry with other North Knox churches
- Food giveaways: Wednesdays 5:30–7:00 PM
- Clothing giveaways: 2nd Thursday 6:00–7:30 PM and 4th Thursday 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Religious Education & Youth Ministry
Faith formation at St. Philip Neri is led by the parish CRE (Coordinator of Religious Education) and supported by a Youth Ministry contact. Together they oversee the parish's religious education program for children and youth.
- CRE: Carrie Horton
- Youth Ministry: TBD (per current diocesan directory)
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at St. Philip Neri is supported by a Music Director and Organist who serve the parish's Sunday, weekday, and Holy Day Masses.
- Music Director: Joyce Villwock
- Organist: Dani Yochum
Visiting & Contact Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person at the parish address in Bicknell. The parish also maintains a Facebook page under the name 'St. Philip Neri, Bicknell' and publishes minutes and updates from the Parish Council on its website.
- Address: 605 W. Fourth Street, Bicknell, IN 47512-1615
- Phone: (812) 735-4069
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stphilipneribicknell.org
- Facebook: St. Philip Neri, Bicknell
- Directions: 7 blocks south of Hwy. 67 via Vigo Street, on the corner of Fourth and Vigo Streets