About Saint Philip the Apostle · Mount Vernon, Indiana
Saint Philip the Apostle Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Mount Vernon, Indiana, belonging to the Diocese of Evansville. Founded in 1847 by Father Roman Weinzapfel as a small log chapel on West Franklin Road, the parish has grown to over 700 families and today worships in a larger sanctuary completed in 2000 that incorporates local timber and historical reminders of its heritage. The parish shares its campus with St. Philip Catholic School, a four-star preschool-through-eighth-grade school, and operates a 24/7 Perpetual Adoration Chapel.
- Established
- 1847
- Patron
- Saint Philip the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Ryan Hilderbrand
- Diocese
- Diocese of Evansville
Why belong here
St. Philip offers a deeply rooted Catholic community in Posey County with daily and weekend Masses, a perpetual (24/7) Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, weekly confession times, and a full Catholic school (preschool–8th grade). Active ministries for men, women, youth, and outreach — including Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Hearts & Hands, Forge Men's Group, Mornings with Mary, and UNITE/ZEAL youth ministries — provide a way for every age and stage to belong, serve, and grow in faith.
Mass times at Saint Philip the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 8:15–9:00 AM
- Thursday 5:00–5:45 PM
- Sunday 8:15–9:15 AM (per parish schedule; third-party sites list 8:30–9:15 or 8:30–9:30 AM)
Adoration times
- 24/7 Eucharistic Adoration in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel (chapel located at the rear of the church on the upper level)
- Sunday 8:45–9:30 AM (in the church)
- Thursday 5:00–6:00 PM (in the church)
- Saturday 3:15–4:00 PM (in the church)
Parish History
In 1847, a small log chapel was built on West Franklin Road (now St. Philip Road) under the guidance of Father Roman Weinzapfel. St. Philip the Apostle was designated as the patron saint of the local Catholic community, and the chapel was dedicated on September 12, 1847. By 1857 the parish had grown to roughly seventy families, and in 1860 a new brick church — built with bricks made on site and lumber from local timber — replaced the original chapel. By the late 20th century, dramatic growth required an expanded worship space. Local timber was again cut and milled into lumber to accent a new, larger church, which incorporates contemporary furnishings alongside historical reminders of the parish's heritage. The present-day structure was completed in 2000, and membership has since grown to over 700 families.
- Founded 1847
- Dedicated September 12, 1847
- 70 families by 1857
- Second brick church 1860
- Current church completed 2000
- 700+ families today
Mission, Vision & Values
St. Philip's mission is to follow Christ's example by nurturing a spirit of community and compassion through liturgy, education, and enrichment programs. The parish's vision is to build on its spiritual tradition through a vibrant, united church family committed to growth, education, and stewardship. The parish identifies its core values as Faith, Respect, Integrity, Excellence, and Compassion.
- Mission: liturgy, education, and enrichment
- Vision: spiritual tradition, growth, stewardship
- Values: Faith, Respect, Integrity, Excellence, Compassion
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Ryan Hilderbrand and Parochial Vicar Fr. Nick Biever. Two deacons, Dcn. Charlie Koressel (Director of Parish Ministries) and Dcn. Bob Martin, assist with parish life. Lay staff include Angie Wildeman (Director of Sacred Music), Matt Bohleber (Director of Parish Operations), Mary Weger (Director of Youth Ministry), and Tim Fox (Office Manager).
- Fr. Ryan Hilderbrand — Pastor
- Fr. Nick Biever — Parochial Vicar
- Dcn. Charlie Koressel — Deacon / Director of Parish Ministries
- Dcn. Bob Martin — Deacon
- Angie Wildeman — Director of Sacred Music
- Matt Bohleber — Director of Parish Operations
- Mary Weger — Director of Youth Ministry
- Tim Fox — Office Manager
Religious Education (CCD)
CCD classes are held every Sunday at 8:15 AM from October through April. Grades K–8 use the Word of Life program from the Augustine Institute, while grades 9–12 use the Real + True program on FORMED. To enroll, families are asked to contact Dcn. Charlie Koressel.
- Sunday 8:15 AM, October–April
- K–8: Word of Life (Augustine Institute)
- Grades 9–12: Real + True on FORMED
- Contact Dcn. Charlie Koressel to enroll
OCIA & Confirmation
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) and Confirmation classes meet Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM. The parish celebrates an annual Confirmation Mass each spring.
- OCIA & Confirmation classes Sundays 10:30 AM
- Annual Confirmation Mass (see calendar)
Ministries & Groups
St. Philip supports a broad slate of ministries for all ages, organized by parish leadership into Prayer, Outreach, Community, Sacraments & Liturgy, and Councils & Committees.
- ZEAL Middle School Ministry
- UNITE High School Ministry
- Little Flowers Girls' Club
- FORGE Men's Group
- Knights of Columbus
- Men's Welcome Retreat
- Women's Welcome Retreat
- Mornings with Mary Women's Ministry
- Adult Bible Study
- Good Shepherd Prayer Apostolate
- Seasons of Hope Grief Support
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Hearts & Hands Ministry
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Ushers & Greeters
- Building & Grounds
Sacraments
Information for each sacrament is available on the parish website. Couples should contact Fr. Nick Biever at least six months before their desired wedding date. First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion preparation is offered through St. Philip Catholic School (with 2nd-grade First Communion sign-ups referenced on the Eucharist page). Anointing of the Sick is available by appointment through the parish office.
- Marriage — Fr. Nick Biever (6+ months in advance)
- First Holy Communion — 2nd-grade classes via the school
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment, 812-985-2275
- Confirmation — annual Mass
- OCIA — Sunday 10:30 AM
St. Philip Catholic School
St. Philip Catholic School is a Four-Star School serving preschool through eighth grade at 3420 St. Phillips Road. The school partners with the parish in forming students in the Catholic faith, offering weekly Mass, sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, and a curriculum that includes language arts, math, science, social studies, technology, art, music, physical education, health, religion, and Spanish (5th–8th grade since fall 2016).
- Preschool through 8th grade
- Four-Star School designation
- Weekly school Mass
- Spanish for grades 5–8
- Choice School with SGO and Indiana School Choice Scholarship pathways
Historic District & Architecture
The parish campus is part of the St. Philip Roman Catholic Church Historic District, listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (NRHP #97001176). The district is recognized for its Romanesque Revival architecture and significant dates of 1851, 1859, and 1904. The current church building, completed in 2000, was intentionally constructed with lumber milled from local timber — echoing the 1860 brick church that was built with bricks made on site.
- NRHP #97001176
- Romanesque Revival architecture
- Significant dates 1851, 1859, 1904
- Current church completed 2000 with local-timber accents
Visit Us
The parish office is located at 3500 St. Philip Road South, Mt. Vernon, Indiana 47620. Office hours are 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The parish phone number is (812) 985-2275. The Perpetual Adoration Chapel is located at the rear of the church on the upper level.
- Address: 3500 St. Philip Road S, Mt. Vernon, IN 47620
- Office hours: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM, Mon–Fri
- Phone: 812-985-2275
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel at rear of church, upper level