About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton -St. Mary Church · Richmond, Indiana
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish is the Catholic faith community of Richmond, Indiana, in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Formed on July 1, 2016, by the merger of three historic Richmond parishes — St. Andrew (1846), St. Mary (1859), and Holy Family (1953) — it operates today across three worship sites (campuses) and a unified parish office, serving approximately 917 families in Wayne County. The parish takes the name of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native-born American saint and a pioneer of Catholic education, in honor of its two parish schools. Under the pastoral leadership of Very Rev. Sengole Thomas Gnanaraj, STL, VF, the community worships in English and Spanish, runs Seton Catholic Elementary (PK–6) and Seton Catholic Jr/Sr High School (7–12), sponsors the tri-county St. Vincent de Paul Society, and supports the wider Richmond community through food pantries, a community kitchen, and a growing furniture and life-skills ministry.
- Established
- 2016
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Rector
- Very Rev. Sengole Thomas Gnanaraj, STL, VF
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish brings together three historic Richmond worship communities under one roof of ministries, schools, and outreach. A parishioner or visitor can worship in English or Spanish at any of three campuses, send children to Seton Catholic Elementary (PK–6) and Seton Catholic Jr/Sr High School (7–12), and serve through nearly 60 parish ministries — including the tri-county St. Vincent de Paul Society, the parish's youth and faith-formation programs, Bible study, the Richmond Community Food Pantry, Circle U Help Center, and the Community Kitchen. It is a parish that explicitly aims at forming saints 'for the glory of God' through education, Eucharist-centered worship, and works of charity across Wayne County.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton -St. Mary Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Holy Family Campus)
- Friday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Holy Family Campus)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Holy Family Campus)
- Friday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Holy Family Campus)
Who We Are — Mission and Identity
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish is the unified Catholic faith community of Richmond, Indiana, in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Its published mission states: 'As committed Christians of the Roman Catholic Church in Richmond, Indiana, we are a community centered in Christ and rooted in the Eucharistic communion, journeying together in our call to be holy, constantly discerning the charisms of the spirit, making disciples of one another, seeking God's kingdom in service, stewardship, and charity.' The parish numbers roughly 917 families and considers its two Seton Catholic schools its single most important ministry, 'through which we offer authentic education rooted in Christ and in spreading His Good news, raising saints for the glory of God.'
A Five-Chapter History
The parish's story is told in five chapters, beginning with the founding of three independent congregations. Chapters one through three cover the establishment of St. Andrew in 1846, St. Mary in 1859 (just a half-mile from St. Andrew), and Holy Family in 1953 (about a mile from St. Andrew and St. Mary). The fourth chapter opened in the 1980s as the three communities began to work in unison; in 1995 one priest was assigned to head all three parishes as the Richmond Catholic Community. The fifth chapter began on July 1, 2016, when the three parishes were merged into one parish named St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, after a community-wide naming poll.
- St. Andrew parish: established 1846; second church built 1860 (later destroyed by fire); current church completed 1901; parish school built 1912.
- St. Mary parish: founded 1859–1860 when English-speaking Catholics bought the old Lutheran meeting house at North 7th and North 'A' Street; parish school built 1870; current church ground broken 1909; new church and rectory completed 1912 and dedicated by Bishop J. Chartrand on November 9, 1913.
- Holy Family parish: established 1953; school ground broken on the Feast of the Holy Family in 1954, first Mass celebrated in the gym that August; current church ground broken 1977, first Mass Palm Sunday 1979.
- 2016: three parishes merged under the name St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, chosen to honor the two local Catholic schools.
Three Worship Campuses
Because the 2016 merger brought three historic congregations together, Mass and the sacraments continue to be celebrated across three campuses, each with its own architectural character and pastoral role. St. Andrew Church (1901) is known for its stained-glass windows, which Fr. Sengole uses during school Masses to teach the children about the life of Christ. St. Mary Church (1909) was designed by the same architect as SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis and is effectively a smaller version of the cathedral. Holy Family Church (1979) has new outdoor Stations of the Cross and hosts twice-weekly adoration, confession, Vespers, and Benediction for the entire parish.
- St. Andrew Campus — 815 W. Main St., Richmond, IN 47374 (founded 1846)
- St. Mary Campus — 720 N. 'A' St., Richmond, IN 47374 (founded 1859)
- Holy Family Campus — 801 W. Main St., Richmond, IN 47374 (founded 1953)
Seton Catholic Schools
Seton Catholic Schools are described by the pastor as the parish's largest ministry and its principal instrument of evangelization in the Richmond community. The system comprises Seton Catholic Elementary (PK–6) on South 5th Street and Seton Catholic Jr/Sr High School (grades 7–12) on West Main Street; together they enroll roughly 319 students. The high school is a college-preparatory program offering AP classes in English/Language Arts, U.S. History, and Physics, and Advanced College Project (dual-credit) courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Calculus in partnership with Indiana University East. About 40% of the high school's students are not Catholic, and Fr. Sengole describes the schools as a 'huge blessing' that 'expose them to God.' The schools are fully accredited through AdvancED.
- Seton Catholic Elementary (PK–6) — 233 S. 5th St., Richmond; Principal Jane Brack; ~141 students
- Seton Catholic Jr/Sr High School (7–12) — 801 W. Main St., Richmond; Principal Victor Berger; ~178 students
- Athletic Director & Dean of Students: Trent Tremain
- Academic Advisor: Mallory Marshall
- Website: www.setonschools.org
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish describes Faith Formation as 'a lifelong process' and 'more than preparing for Sacraments,' working under the guidance of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The Faith Formation Commission, chaired by Parish Catechetical Leader Vicky Roosa, oversees the parish Religious Education program (CCD), Children's ministry, sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation), Totus Tuus, Catholic Vacation Bible School, and collaborates with Seton Schools on Catholic identity and campus ministry.
- Religious Education classes for children age 4 through Confirmation (11th grade)
- Baptism preparation class for parents and godparents (call 765-962-3902 to schedule)
- First Holy Communion: two-year program (1st grade Pre-Communion, 2nd grade First Communion); classes Sundays 11:15 AM–12:15 PM at Seton Catholic High School
- Confirmation preparation through Faith Formation
- Programs include Totus Tuus and Catholic Vacation Bible School
Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Youth Ministry follows the USCCB's 'Renewing the Vision' framework with three goals (empower young disciples, draw them into Catholic community life, foster total personal and spiritual growth) and eight components (advocacy, catechesis, community life, evangelization, justice and service, leadership development, pastoral care, prayer and worship). Junior High (6th–8th grade) meets Sunday evenings from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM, with a Youth Council from 6:30–7:00 PM, and Senior High (9th–12th) from 7:00–8:30 PM. The high school program includes a High School Bible Study and an annual Adore-A-Thon, and the parish recently sent youth to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC 2025) on the theme 'I AM / YO SOY' from Exodus 3. All young people are welcome, Catholic or not.
- Junior High Youth Ministry: Sundays 5:00–6:30 PM
- Youth Council: Sundays 6:30–7:00 PM
- Senior High Youth Ministry: Sundays 7:00–8:30 PM
- High School Bible Study
- Adore-A-Thon (annual)
- NCYC participation (2025)
- Contact: Kim Vournazos, Parish Youth Minister — 765-238-7805, [email protected]
Bible Study and Adult Faith Formation
The parish offers Bible Study programs throughout the year, with sessions scheduled both during the day and in the evening so more parishioners can attend. Studies follow small-group format with lay leaders.
- Daytime and evening Bible Study options offered throughout the year
- Contacts: Cheryl Kitchin (765-969-3945) and Tom Kitchin (765-969-5572)
St. Vincent de Paul and Outreach
The parish is home to the tri-county St. Vincent de Paul Society, which serves the needy of Wayne, Union, and Fayette counties without regard to cultural, religious, or political beliefs. Beyond emergency assistance, the local chapter operates a Furniture Ministry and is developing the 'Changing Lives Forever' program, which will offer cooking classes, sewing workshops, and life-skills mentoring for people in transition. The chapter has purchased and is renovating a former laundromat at 1000 South E Street in Richmond to house all SVdP functions under one roof, including a future commercial kitchen (Phase II) and a furniture showroom. The parish also partners with the Richmond Community Food Pantry, Circle U Help Center (19 N. 13th St.), and the Community Kitchen (noon meals Wednesdays and Thursdays at St. Paul's Episcopal), and annually donates to the Wayne County Trusteeship.
- Tri-county SVdP service area: Wayne, Union, and Fayette counties
- SVdP Furniture Ministry
- 'Changing Lives Forever' life-skills program (cooking, sewing, crafts)
- New SVdP building: 1000 South E Street, Richmond (former laundromat, under renovation)
- Richmond Community Food Pantry partnership (contact: Brad Whited or Mike Clark)
- Circle U Help Center (19 N. 13th St.) — Catholic volunteers serve Saturdays
- Community Kitchen — Catholic community prepares meals the fourth Wednesday each month
- Annual donation to Wayne County Trusteeship
- SVdP contact: Tony Talbert, 765-220-1572, [email protected]; Helpline 937-993-3687
Sharing Time and Talent — Parish Ministries
The parish says there are nearly 60 different ministries through which members share the Good News across the greater Richmond area. Liturgical ministries (altar servers, lectors, hospitality, Communion ministers) are scheduled through Beth Van Der Burgt; parish-wide ministries range from catechesis and youth mentoring to transportation for the elderly and a school cafeteria volunteer corps.
- Altar Server, Lector, Communion Minister
- Church Cleaning, Hospitality Ministry
- Food Pantry, Meals Ministry, Funeral Meal
- Grief Ministry, Spiritual Direction
- Youth Ministry / Young Adults, Catechists / Teachers
- Mentors to Young People, Transportation for the Elderly
- School Cafeteria, Vincent de Paul Society
- Homebound Communion, Hospital Visits / Communion, Nursing Home Mass
- Money Counting / Office Assistance, Magnificat Distribution
- Adoration / Intercession / Prayer Chain, Councils / Commissions
Parish Staff and Leadership
The parish is led by Very Rev. Sengole Thomas Gnanaraj, STL, VF, as Pastor/Administrator, and supported by a parish secretary, business manager, youth minister, and parish catechetical leader. The Parish Council is chaired by Jim Hunter.
- Pastor/Administrator: Very Rev. Sengole Thomas Gnanaraj, STL, VF
- Parish Secretary: Laurie Miller
- Business Manager: Susan Shaw
- Parish Youth Minister: Kim Vournazos (765-238-7805)
- Parish Catechetical Leader / Director of Youth Ministry: Vicky Roosa
- Parish Council Chair: Jim Hunter
- Liturgical Ministry Scheduling: Beth Van Der Burgt
Contact, Office, and Communications
The unified parish office is located at 240 S. 6th St., Richmond, IN 47374-5418. The parish publishes a weekly bulletin, livestreams the Sunday 10:00 AM Mass from St. Andrew Campus, and maintains an active Facebook page that also hosts a daily 7:30 PM Rosary. A Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP) system is used for liturgical ministry scheduling, and the parish maintains Safe Parish compliance protocols.
- Parish Office: 240 S. 6th St., Richmond, IN 47374-5418
- Phone: (765) 962-3902 — Fax: (765) 966-0820
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.setoncatholics.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RichmondCatholic/
- Live-streamed Sunday Mass: 10:00 AM (setoncatholics.org/video)
- Weekly bulletin available online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Sengole Thomas Gnanaraj2019–present
Arrived in Richmond in July 2019 from St. Pius and St. Michael parishes in Perry County. Holds an STL from the Angelicum in Rome (through Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit). Was an attorney at law in India before coming to the U.S. Hobbies include sketching, guitar, and graphic design; favorite Bible verse is John 3:16.