About St. Anthony of Padua · Morris, Indiana
St. Anthony of Padua is a Roman Catholic parish in the tiny Ripley County village of Morris, Indiana, founded in 1856 by German immigrant families from the Black Forest region around Baden Baden. Today the parish numbers about 301 families and is served by Rev. Stanley Pondo as pastor, with a parochial vicar, a deacon, and a HGN sacramental minister. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and is best known locally for its small-town faith community, weekly Eucharistic adoration, and its 108-year-old Labor Day Chicken Dinner and Festival.
- Established
- 1856
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. Stanley Pondo
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua offers the kind of close-knit, multigenerational Catholic community that is increasingly rare — many current parishioners still descend from the original German founding families of the 1850s. The parish maintains a strong devotional life with weekly Eucharistic adoration (a tradition kept continuously for more than 25 years under Msgr. Schmitz), regular Confession on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and a robust Pro-Life Committee. Beyond the liturgy, St. Anthony's is a true village parish: it runs a Homebound/Nursing Home Ministry, and every Labor Day the whole community turns out for the legendary fried chicken dinner, raffle and festival — in 2025 the 108th annual edition — making it a living hub of faith, family and local tradition in rural Ripley County.
Mass times at St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Adoration times
- Sunday: 7:00 AM (before 8:00 AM Mass)
- Saturday: 3:00 PM (before 4:00 PM Mass)
Parish History
St. Anthony of Padua Parish was established in 1856 in the small Ripley County village of Morris, Indiana, by German Catholic immigrants from the Black Forest. The community traces its roots to settlers who arrived in the 1820s and 1830s, first at Springfield — five miles from the nearest church in Oldenburg — and eventually organized the building of their own parish with Bishop Maurice de St. Palais, who blessed the first church on October 29, 1856.
- Founded 1856 on five acres purchased from John and Susannah Miller in 1853.
- First resident pastor: Fr. Roman Weinzaepfle, 1866.
- Two bells installed in the bell tower in 1868 — larger to Mary Immaculate, smaller to St. Joseph.
- Organ acquired in 1882; German used in the school until 1917.
- Schad Hall built in 1963 and named for Father Albert Schad.
- Parish grade school closed in 1977 after more than a century of operation.
- 150th anniversary celebrated in 2006 with Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein.
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by a pastor, parochial vicar, deacon and HGN sacramental minister, with a parish secretary coordinating the office. The archdiocesan listing (Parish #102) and the parish's own website confirm the current team.
- Pastor: Rev. Stanley Pondo
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Jack Wright
- Sacramental Minister: Rev. Suresh Ganta, HGN
- Deacon: Ronald Freyer
- Parish Secretary: Kathy Tekulve
Parish Ministries
The parish runs pastoral and outreach ministries suited to its size and rural setting, focusing on care for the homebound, reverence for life, and community fellowship.
- Homebound/Nursing Home Ministry — regular pastoral visits and Holy Communion for those unable to attend Mass (contact the parish office at 812-934-6218).
- Pro-Life Committee — promotes Respect Life Sunday (October) and the January 22 anniversary of legalized abortion; contact Margarita Case at 812-934-3960.
Annual Labor Day Festival & Chicken Dinner
One of southeastern Indiana's most beloved traditions, St. Anthony's annual Labor Day Picnic and Chicken Dinner has been a parish and community fixture for more than a century. Held at the parish grounds on E. Morris Church St., the festival brings together volunteers and visitors for the parish's signature fried chicken dinner, a grand raffle, live music, kids' games, a beer garden and more. The 108th annual event was held on Monday, September 1, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Date: Labor Day, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Location: St. Anthony's, 4781 E. Morris Church St., Morris, IN.
- Signature dish: fried chicken dinner (dine-in, carryout, or drive-thru).
- Features: $25,000 grand raffle, bounce houses, kids' games, face painting, beer garden, live music.
- Recent entertainment: Matt Snow, 'The Cincinnati Sinatra' (2–4 p.m.).
- Accepts debit/credit cards; ATM available on site.
Parish Identity & Quick Facts
St. Anthony of Padua is Parish #102 in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. It is a small rural parish of about 301 families with a church seating capacity of 375. The mailing address is P.O. Box 3, Morris, IN 47033-0003.
- Parish #102, Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
- Located in Ripley County, Indiana.
- Approx. 301 registered families.
- Church capacity: 375.
- Mass celebrated in English in the Roman-Latin Rite.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Roman Weinzaepfle1866–
First resident pastor of St. Anthony of Padua.
- Fr. Albert Schad
Pastor commemorated in the name of Schad Hall, built in 1963.
- Msgr. Bernard Schmitz1970–2006
Long-serving pastor who instituted weekly Eucharistic adoration and Holy Hours, encouraged the parish history, and presided over the 150th anniversary in 2006; later made a Monsignor.
- Fr. Pascal Nduka2006–November 2013
Originally from Nigeria; broadened the parish's global awareness.
- Fr. Shaun Whittington2013–2020
Continued the parish's programs, organizations and activities.
- Fr. Stanley Pondo2020–present
Current pastor.