About Saint Vincent de Paul · Fort Wayne, Indiana
Saint Vincent de Paul Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of approximately 3,500 families (about 11,000 souls) located on the corner of Auburn Road and Wallen Road in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Founded by French Catholic immigrants in the 1830s–1840s and named for the patron saint of charity (canonized in 1737), St. Vincent's is an active and dynamic parish that supports a K–8 Catholic school of over 700 students and a wide range of ministries for all ages. The parish is led by Father Daniel Scheidt (pastor since summer 2013), assisted by three parochial vicars, and is notable for its sixth and current church building (2001), its Oratory of Saint Mary Magdalene with a perpetual adoration chapel, and a 1:30 PM Sunday Sensory-Friendly Mass.
- Established
- 1843
- Patron
- Saint Vincent de Paul
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel Scheidt
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
Why belong here
St. Vincent de Paul offers a rare combination: a deeply rooted Catholic community dating to 1843, a thriving K–8 parish school of more than 700 students, perpetual Eucharistic adoration in the Oratory of Saint Mary Magdalene, and ministries for every age and stage — from Becoming Catholic (OCIA) and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to youth ministry (Edge, Confirmation, high school REFUEL), a Sensory-Friendly Sunday Mass, and active outreach such as Carpenter's Sons home repairs and a Care-Van for parishioners needing rides. With six Sunday Masses, daily Mass, live-streamed liturgies, and a pastor supported by three parochial vicars, there is a place here for any Catholic family or seeker.
Mass times at Saint Vincent de Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 7:30 – 8:00 AM (Church Confessionals)
- Tuesday: 7:30 – 8:00 AM (Church Confessionals)
- Wednesday: 7:30 – 8:00 AM and 4:30 – 5:30 PM (Church Confessionals)
- Thursday: 7:30 – 8:00 AM (Church Confessionals)
- Friday: 7:30 – 8:00 AM (Church Confessionals)
- Saturday: 7:30 – 8:00 AM and 9:00 – 10:00 AM (Church Confessionals)
- Sunday: 4:15 – 4:45 PM (Church Confessionals)
- No confessions on Ash Wednesday or on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration in the Oratory of Saint Mary Magdalene (1711 E. Wallen Road) — chapel is open for prayer at all times
- Chapel unlocked for visitors: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily
- Friday Mass in the Oratory at 5:30 PM (except during Lent)
- Little Children's Adoration: 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month, 10:00 – 11:00 AM
- Communion to the Homebound ministry brings the Eucharist to those in nursing homes, hospitals, and residences within parish boundaries
Parish Overview & Identity
Saint Vincent de Paul is a Roman Catholic parish of approximately 3,500 families located at the corner of Auburn Road and Wallen Road in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. The parish is led by Father Daniel Scheidt (pastor since summer 2013), supported by three parochial vicars. The parish describes itself as 'a community united in Jesus Christ,' grounded in the spirituality of its patron, Saint Vincent de Paul, who taught that the poor are 'our masters' and that what is done for the least is done for Christ.
- Approximately 3,500 families / 11,000 souls
- Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
- Pastor: Rev. Daniel Scheidt (since summer 2013)
- Three parochial vicars: Fr. Caleb Kruse, Fr. Zane Langenbrunner, Fr. Eustace Okorie (Hospital Chaplain)
- Located on Auburn Rd & Wallen Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46825
History of St. Vincent de Paul Parish
French Catholic settlers migrated to northern Fort Wayne in the 1830s, naming their settlement 'New Gaul' or 'New France.' Mass was first celebrated in private homes; Father Julian Benoit became the first pastor in 1843 and built the first wood-frame church in 1846. Over 180 years, the parish has grown from 70 souls in 1900 to roughly 11,000 today. Father Benoit also built St. Augustine's church, which later became the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the diocese.
- First pastor: Father Julian Benoit (1843); first church built 1846
- Membership: 70 souls (1900) → 192 (1946) → 4,400 (1968) → 5,420 (1974) → ~11,000 today
- Six successive church buildings since 1846
- Sixth and current church built and dedicated in 2001 by Msgr. John Kuzmich
- 30 pastors have served the parish from 1843 to the present
Our Patron: Saint Vincent de Paul
Saint Vincent de Paul (1581–1660) is the patron saint of the parish. He was a French priest canonized in 1737, known for his devotion to charity and the Gospel. His teaching — 'Poor people are our masters; they're our kings; they must be obeyed' — is woven into the parish's culture and ministries, including its own Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference. His three virtues — simplicity, humility, and gentleness — are described as the parish's hallmarks.
- Born 1581; died 1660 in Paris, France
- Canonized 1737
- Three fundamental virtues: simplicity, humility, gentleness
- Feast Day: September 27
Saint Vincent de Paul School
Founded in 1955 and named in the legacy of Bishop Joseph Dwenger who developed the Fort Wayne parochial school system, Saint Vincent de Paul School is a K–8 Catholic school serving over 700 students. The school's mission is to empower students to live and share their Catholic faith while growing in academic success in a safe and nurturing environment. The school is ethnically diverse and serves native Burmese, Vietnamese, and Spanish speakers through an English Language program. Electives include music, art (including pottery), robotics, and intramural sports.
- Grades K–8, 700+ students
- Founded 1955
- Principal: Zachary Coyle; Assistant Principal: Nicole Suvar
- Located at 1720 E. Wallen Road
- Special education, intervention, enrichment, and ELL programs
- Electives: music, art, robotics, intramural sports
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The parish's Becoming Catholic ministry follows the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) — the Church's ancient formation process restored by Vatican II as the normal way adults prepare for baptism and full initiation. It is open to the unbaptized, baptized Christians seeking full communion, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Communion and Confirmation. The process includes the Period of Inquiry, the Catechumenate, the Rite of Election, the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, and Mystagogia. No commitment is required to begin.
- Contact: Cindy Black, Pastoral Associate (260-489-3537 x208)
- Weekly formation sessions in the Life Center
- Children's track also offered (ages 7+)
- Easter Vigil reception for new Catholics
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Faith formation is offered for every age, from newborn through high school. The Family Faith Formation office (Director Debbie Blackburn) supports children's faith growth, with parallel Middle School Ministry (EDGE) and High School / REFUEL programs that include Confirmation preparation.
- Family Faith Formation (children) — Debbie Blackburn, Director
- Middle School Ministry (EDGE) — Kelly Coyle, Coordinator
- High School Ministry & REFUEL — Lindsay Lushis, Director of Youth Ministry; Emily Oberley, High School Coordinator
- Confirmation preparation
- Young Adults ministry
- Homeschool Families gatherings
Society of St. Vincent de Paul & Outreach
St. Vincent's hosts one of the local Conferences of the international Society of St. Vincent de Paul (850,000 members in 131 countries), which assists anyone in need within parish boundaries regardless of religious affiliation. The Conference responds to calls for help with food, clothing, household items, rent, utilities, prescriptions, and medical bills, and also engages transients needing emergency lodging or food.
- Home visits for those requesting help
- Monthly Poor Box collection
- Food Pantry
- Carpenter's Sons — home repairs for elderly and disabled (Tuesdays, Life Center)
- Care-Van — rides to doctor appointments and church
- Minnie Vinnies — student service group at St. Vincent de Paul School
- Byron Health Center entertainment; BINGO at Kingston Nursing Home
- Jail Ministry; funeral visitation
- Meets 1st Monday of the month, 7:00 PM, Spiritual Center Chapel
- Help line: 260-489-3537 ext. 4610
Support, Healing & Parish Life
The parish campus hosts a wide range of support groups, retreats, and devotional gatherings, in addition to its ministries for the homebound, special-needs parishioners, and those seeking sacramental preparation for marriage and baptism.
- Christ Renews His Parish Retreat (Shannon Linder)
- Shepherds of Christ, Kingdom Builders, Life in the Spirit Seminar
- Chronic Joy support group
- AA, AlAnon, Women's AA, Overeaters Anonymous
- Special Needs Ministry
- Homebound Ministry / Communion to the Homebound
- Marriage Preparation (Solitaire Hile)
- Baptism Preparation (Solitaire Hile, ext. 230)
- St. Augustine Men's Group
Parish Staff & Contact
The parish is staffed by four priests plus a deep lay pastoral team. The parish office is open Monday–Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM with additional weekend hours around Masses. The bulletin is published weekly and includes parish news, the liturgical calendar, and the local parish event schedule.
- Pastor: Rev. Daniel Scheidt (x3)
- Parochial Vicars: Fr. Caleb Kruse, Fr. Zane Langenbrunner, Fr. Eustace Okorie (Hospital Chaplain)
- Pastoral Associates: Michael Dopp (Adult Ministries), Cindy Black (Becoming Catholic/Rescue Project), Solitaire Hile (Marriage & Baptism Prep), Jessica Hayes (Liturgy)
- Parish Office: (260) 489-3537 — Fax (260) 497-9405
- Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
- Address: 1502 E. Wallen Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46825
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Julian Benoit1843–
Founder of St. Vincent's parish; also built St. Augustine's church in the inner city (later the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception).
- Monsignor John Kuzmich1984–2014
Long-serving pastor who built and dedicated the current (sixth) church in 2001.
- Rev. Daniel Scheidt2013–present
Current pastor since summer 2013.