About St. Boniface [Historic Church] · Fulda, Indiana
St. Boniface Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish in the tiny unincorporated community of Fulda, Spencer County, in southern Indiana, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. Founded in 1845–1847 by Croatian missionary Father Joseph Kundek, it serves roughly 170–176 families in a 'parish family' shared with nearby St. Meinrad Catholic Church, under the pastorate of Rev. Paul Nord, OSB, of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The present brick church, begun in 1861 and completed in 1865 after a Civil War pause, is the oldest standing Catholic church building in the area and was consecrated by Bishop Joseph Chartrand on May 23, 1916.
- Established
- 1845
- Patron
- St. Boniface (patron saint of Germany, first Archbishop of Mainz, 'Apostle of the Germans')
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Nord, OSB
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Boniface is a small but historically remarkable parish where every family is part of a story stretching back to 1847. Active programs include F3 Family Faith Formation (K–Grade 9), the Ladies Sodality, Pro-Life Ministry, visiting the sick, Youth Ministry, the 1 & Only's Adult Support Group, and monthly F3 Connect fellowship gatherings after the Saturday Mass — all built around a parish of about 176 families in the rolling hills of Spencer County. Add to that a National Register-listed church building still used daily for worship, the rare privilege of praying in a sanctuary whose altars were carved in the 1870s and whose pipe organ dates to 1898, and a shared pastorate with St. Meinrad Catholic Church and Saint Meinrad Archabbey that brings monastic and Benedictine character to parish life.
Mass times at St. Boniface [Historic Church]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM, Historic St. Boniface Catholic Church (before the 4:00 PM Vigil Mass)
- Lenten Communal Penance Service annually at Historic St. Boniface Church
Adoration times
- Adoration is offered at the sister-church of St. Meinrad Catholic Church (Wednesday 3:00 PM) — schedule on parish calendar
History of Historic St. Boniface Catholic Church
St. Boniface Parish was established in 1845 by the Croatian missionary Father Joseph Kundek, who dreamed of planting a Catholic church every ten miles across southern Indiana. He purchased eight lots in the German-named community of Fulda on September 26, 1846, and celebrated the first Mass at Casper Hurm's home on June 5, 1847, the feast of St. Boniface. A log church served the early parish; construction of the present brick church began in 1861, paused during the Civil War, and was completed in 1865, with dedication in 1866. The altars and Munich paintings were installed in 1877, the 535-pipe organ in 1898, and Bishop Joseph Chartrand consecrated the building on May 23, 1916. In 1980 the church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural and engineering significance — one of the first three Catholic churches in Indiana so honored.
- Founded 1845; first Mass June 5, 1847
- Founder: Father Joseph Kundek (also founded parishes at Ferdinand, Celestine, Rockport, and St. Meinrad Abbey)
- Present brick church built 1861–1865; dedicated 1866
- Architect: Mr. Reidinger, German-American
- Altars carved by Benno Gerber of Ferdinand; paintings painted in Munich, 1876
- Pipe organ added 1898 (535 pipes)
- Consecrated May 23, 1916 by Bishop Joseph Chartrand
- National Register of Historic Places, 1980
Restoration and Preservation
Generations of parishioners have worked to preserve the historic sanctuary. The interior walls and ceilings were painted and ornamental stenciling added in 1905; restorers matched the original stencil pattern starting in 1975. A new copper roof and cupolas were installed in 1994, air conditioning added in 1996, and a major stencil restoration completed in 1997. Stone tile flooring and refinished pews came in 2001; the steeple was reinforced in 2004; the mural of St. Boniface was lit and the tabernacle and altar candlesticks restored in 2011. In 2013 ceilings were insulated, the HVAC upgraded, and exterior tuck-pointing completed. A full stained-glass window restoration began in 2014 and was completed on April 25, 2016.
- 1905: interior painting and original stenciling
- 1975: stencil pattern restoration begins
- 1994: copper roof and cupolas
- 1996: air conditioning; 1997: major stencil restoration
- 2001: stone tile floor, refinished pews
- 2004: steeple reinforcement
- 2011: lit St. Boniface mural, restored tabernacle and candlesticks
- 2013: ceiling insulation, HVAC upgrade, tuck-pointing
- 2014–2016: complete stained-glass window restoration
150th Anniversary (2015) and the Endowment
On June 5, 2015, the parish celebrated the 150th anniversary of the historic church building with a two-day event including a Vigil Mass for descendants of the founding families, tours of the cemetery and church, a grade-school alumni reunion, a 5K run, heritage display room, food, live entertainment, children's games and rides, and a beer garden with traditional German cuisine. On October 10, 2015, Indianapolis Archbishop Joseph Tobin, CSsR, celebrated Mass for the parish, followed by a parish-wide breakfast at which the Endowment for the Perpetual Care and Long-Term Preservation of the Historic Church Building was announced.
- June 5, 2015: 150th anniversary of the church building
- Two-day celebration with descendants Mass, cemetery/church tours, alumni reunion, 5K run, heritage room, German food
- October 10, 2015: Mass with Archbishop Joseph Tobin, CSsR
- Endowment for Perpetual Care and Long-Term Preservation announced
Self-Guided Tour of the Historic Church
Pilgrims and visitors are warmly welcomed to take a self-guided tour of Historic St. Boniface Catholic Church and the adjacent St. Boniface Parish Cemetery, both National Register-listed. The parish offers tours for individuals and groups, and the church is open daily from dawn to dusk. For tour arrangements, contact the parish office at 812-357-5533.
- Open daily from dawn to dusk
- Self-guided tour of the church and cemetery
- Group tours by appointment: 812-357-5533
Parish Staff and Leadership
St. Boniface is staffed as part of a parish family shared with St. Meinrad Catholic Church, under the Archdiocese of Indianapolis (parish listing #076). The current pastor is Rev. Paul Nord, OSB, a Benedictine priest from Saint Meinrad Archabbey. Deacon Mike Fish assists. Other parish leaders listed on the Archdiocesan directory include Pastoral Council Chair Amy Dilger, Evangelization and Faith Formation Coordinator Jessica Fischer, Facilities and Safety lead George Schaefer, Cemetery Commission Chair Alan Waninger, and Communications lead Mary Jeanne Schumacher.
- Pastor: Rev. Paul Nord, OSB
- Deacon: Mike Fish
- Pastoral Council Chair: Amy Dilger
- Evangelization and Faith Formation Coordinator: Jessica Fischer (Ms. Jess Fischer)
- Facilities and Safety: George Schaefer
- Cemetery Commission Chair: Alan Waninger
- Communications: Mary Jeanne Schumacher
- Parish Secretary: Vacant (per archdiocesan directory)
- Liturgical Music Coordinator: Vacant
- Youth Minister: Vacant
- Finance Coordinator and Cemeteries: Vacant
Faith Formation and F3 (Family Faith Formation)
Faith Formation is run by the Faith Formation Commission and coordinated by Ms. Jess Fischer, Evangelization and Discipleship Coordinator. The flagship program is F3 — Family Faith Formation — a parish-based, whole-community catechetical process for students in Kindergarten through Grade 9, with both a Sunday Group (Grades 7–9) and a Wednesday Group (Grades 7–9). F3 emphasizes lifelong, intergenerational faith formation rooted in the liturgical year, aiming to grow disciples in knowledge of faith, liturgical life, moral formation, prayer, community, and missionary spirit. F3 Connect is a monthly Saturday-evening fellowship gathering after the 4 PM Mass at Historic St. Boniface.
- Faith Formation Commission
- F3 (Family Faith Formation) — Kindergarten through Grade 9
- F3 Sunday Group and Wednesday Group (Grades 7–9)
- F3 Connect: monthly fellowship after the Saturday 4 PM Mass
- Sacramental preparation through F3
- Circle of Grace safe-environment program
- Catechism of the Catholic Church resources
- Coordinator: Ms. Jess Fischer ([email protected])
Pastoral Ministries and Parish Activities
The Pastoral Ministries & Activities Commission coordinates parish life, supporting groups such as the Ladies Sodality, Pro-Life Ministry, Visiting the Sick and Infirm, Youth Ministry, the St. Elizabeth Ministry, and the 1 & Only's Adult Support Group for adults who are only children (coordinated by Pam Davis). The commission is advised by a council including Maryetta Boehm, Pam Davis, Ed Denning, Nancy Graman, Vernita Heckel, Judy Houghland, Julia Lutz, Jim Niehaus, Romilda Pund, Bebsy Schwoeppe, Vickie Snyder, Karen Springston, and Sara M. Vaal.
- Ladies Sodality (brunches at the Parish Center)
- Pro-Life Ministry
- Visiting the Sick and Infirm
- Youth Ministry
- St. Elizabeth Ministry
- 1 & Only's Adult Support Group (contact Pam Davis, 812-661-9110)
St. Boniface Parish Cemetery
The parish maintains St. Boniface Parish Cemetery adjacent to the historic church, included as part of the walking-tour and pilgrimage experience. A Cemetery Commission, chaired by Alan Waninger, oversees its care. Tours of the cemetery are offered as part of the parish's pilgrim experience.
- Located adjacent to Historic St. Boniface Church
- Cemetery Commission Chair: Alan Waninger
- Included in parish walking and pilgrimage tours
The Former Parish Grade School
For many decades, St. Boniface Parish also operated a grade school staffed by the Benedictine Sisters of the Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana. The school closed in December 1975. Its alumni were honored at the 2015 150th-anniversary reunion.
- Staffed by Benedictine Sisters of the Monastery Immaculate Conception, Ferdinand
- Closed December 1975
- Alumni reunion held during 150th-anniversary celebration in 2015
Parish Family with St. Meinrad Catholic Church
St. Boniface shares pastoral and administrative life with St. Meinrad Catholic Church and Saint Meinrad Archabbey, forming a single 'parish family' under the same pastor. This Benedictine connection, together with the nearby Monte Cassino Shrine, gives the parish a wider liturgical and devotional rhythm than its small size alone would suggest.
- Pastorate shared with St. Meinrad Catholic Church and Saint Meinrad Archabbey
- Benedictine character through Saint Meinrad Archabbey
- Monte Cassino Shrine (Saturday 7:00 AM May–October, 8:00 AM November–April)
Visit, Contact, and Communications
The parish office can be reached by phone at 812-357-5533 or by email at [email protected]. The parish sends news, cancellations, and updates through Flocknote. Historic St. Boniface Catholic Church is open daily from dawn to dusk for individual pilgrims and visitors, with group tours arranged through the parish office. All times are Central Time.
- Phone: 812-357-5533
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.sbcatholic.church
- Flocknote used for parish news and weather cancellations
- Church open daily from dawn to dusk
- All parish times are Central Time
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph Kundek1845–1858 (founder)
Croatian missionary priest who established the parish; also instrumental in founding the parishes of Ferdinand, Celestine, Rockport, and St. Meinrad Abbey.
- Abbot Martin Marty, OSB1861–1863
Of St. Meinrad Abbey; later donated the 1876 Munich paintings of St. Boniface's martyrdom that hang above the main altar.