About Saints Peter and Paul · Petersburg, Indiana
Saints Peter and Paul is a Roman Catholic parish in Petersburg, Indiana, the only Catholic parish in Pike County, founded in 1847 and belonging to the Diocese of Evansville (West Deanery). It shares pastoral leadership with nearby Blessed Sacrament Parish in Oakland City and serves roughly 99 registered families (about 182 parishioners) from its church at 711 Walnut Street. The current parish facility, the third in the parish's history, was built in 1924 near downtown Petersburg, and the parish is known for its warm welcome to newcomers and its bilingual outreach, including Spanish-language Masses.
- Established
- 1847
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul (the Apostles)
- Rector
- Rev. Vargheese Kalapurakudi (Administrator, effective June 25 per diocesan assignments; succeeded Father Frank Renner)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Evansville (West Deanery)
Why belong here
Sts. Peter and Paul is the only Catholic parish in Pike County, making it a true spiritual home for Catholics across the region. With about 99 registered families, it offers an intimate faith community where 'people accept people for who they are without judging them,' as former pastor Father Frank Renner put it. The parish celebrates Mass in English and Spanish, provides daily and weekend Masses, the sacraments, religious education and OCIA/RCIA through Deacon Gary Keepes, and actively welcomes newcomers and visitors.
Mass times at Saints Peter and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
- Sunday: 10:30 a.m.–10:45 a.m.
Parish History
Sts. Peter and Paul Parish was founded in 1847, making it the only Catholic parish in Pike County and one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Evansville. According to pastor Father Frank Renner, the parish has had three successive church buildings: a log cabin near the Wabash and Erie Canal crossing of the White River, a second church near the train depot that often flooded, and the present church built in 1924 on the corner of 8th and Sycamore streets in Petersburg.
- Founded 1847
- First church: log cabin near the Wabash and Erie Canal / White River crossing
- Second church: near the train depot, frequently flooded (mud had to be shoveled out)
- Current (third) church: built 1924, 8th and Sycamore streets, Petersburg
- First resident pastor: Father Michael Wolf
- Deacon Don Haag once served as Pastoral Life Coordinator
175th Anniversary Celebration (2022)
On October 9, 2022, Bishop Joseph M. Siegel celebrated a Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul to mark the parish's 175th anniversary. Father Frank Renner, then pastor, concelebrated along with senior priests Father Ray Brenner and Father Donald Dilger. Deacon Gary Keepes assisted, and Matt Miller, the diocesan director of worship, served as Master of Ceremonies. A luncheon and parish-hall open house followed the liturgy.
- Anniversary Mass: October 9, 2022
- Celebrant: Bishop Joseph M. Siegel
- Concelebrants: Father Frank Renner, Father Ray Brenner, Father Donald Dilger
- Deacon: Gary Keepes; MC: Matt Miller (Diocesan Director of Worship)
- Reported in the diocesan newspaper, The Message, by Megan Erbacher
Parish Staff
Day-to-day operations of Sts. Peter and Paul are supported by a small, dedicated staff led by Deacon Gary Keepes. Music ministry is provided by organist Carol Decker, and Jill Keepes serves as secretary and bookkeeper.
- Administrator: Rev. Vargheese Kalapurakudi
- Deacon: Gary Keepes
- RCIA / OCIA Coordinator: Deacon Gary Keepes
- CRE (Coordinator of Religious Education): Deacon Gary Keepes
- Organist: Carol Decker
- Secretary / Bookkeeper: Jill Keepes
Faith Formation and OCIA (RCIA)
Religious Education and OCIA (formerly RCIA) preparation for adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church are coordinated by Deacon Gary Keepes. The parish serves the catechetical needs of its roughly 99 registered families through its CRE program.
- OCIA / RCIA for adults — Deacon Gary Keepes
- Children's Religious Education (CRE) — Deacon Gary Keepes
Sacraments
Sts. Peter and Paul offers the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Confession is offered weekly before weekend Masses, and parishioners can arrange baptisms, weddings, First Communion, Confirmation, and Anointing of the Sick through the parish office.
- Baptism
- First Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick
- Reconciliation (Confession)
Twinning with Blessed Sacrament Parish (Oakland City)
Sts. Peter and Paul in Petersburg shares its pastor/administrator with Blessed Sacrament Parish in Oakland City. Both are in the Diocese of Evansville's West Deanery. Blessed Sacrament was founded as a mission in 1923 and established as a parish in 1948.
- Parish twin: Blessed Sacrament, Oakland City
- Both parishes in the West Deanery of the Diocese of Evansville
- Shared pastoral leadership under Rev. Vargheese Kalapurakudi
Parish Identity and Welcome
Sts. Peter and Paul is the only Catholic parish in Pike County, Indiana, and is described by its leaders as a welcoming, non-judgmental community. Former pastor Father Frank Renner said, 'People here accept people for who they are without judging them. We make newcomers feel welcome here. Parishioners treat others as they want to be treated.' The parish's bilingual Mass schedule (English and Spanish) reflects its diverse Pike County community.
- Only Catholic parish in Pike County
- Approximately 99 registered families / 182 parishioners
- Welcoming parish culture emphasized by clergy
- English- and Spanish-language liturgy
Visiting the Parish
Sts. Peter and Paul is located at 711 Walnut Street, Petersburg, Indiana 47567-1447, next to the Pike County Courthouse on the southeast corner in downtown Petersburg. The parish office can be reached at (812) 354-6942.
- Address: 711 Walnut Street, Petersburg, IN 47567-1447
- Phone: (812) 354-6942
- Landmark: Next to the Pike County Courthouse, downtown Petersburg
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Michael Wolf
First resident pastor of the parish
- Father Frank Renner2015–2024
Led the 175th anniversary celebration in 2022; resigned and moved to senior priest status
- Father Vargheese Kalapurakudi (Kalapurakudi)2024–present
Appointed Administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul (Petersburg) and Blessed Sacrament (Oakland City) by Bishop Siegel