About St. Francis Xavier [North Clark County Catholic] · Henryville, Indiana
St. Francis Xavier is a small Roman Catholic parish in Henryville, Indiana (Clark County), founded in 1869 and served by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. It is the sister/linked parish of St. Michael Church in Charlestown, and together the two form the 'North Clark County Catholic' collaborative under shared clergy and activities. The parish currently serves about 100 families in a church with seating for 150, offering Mass on Sunday morning, Tuesday afternoon, and Thursday evening, along with adoration, the rosary, and ongoing faith formation for all ages.
- Established
- 1869
- Patron
- St. Francis Xavier
- Rector
- Rev. Jeyaseelan Sengolraj (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Francis Xavier is a tight-knit, multi-generational Catholic community of around 100 families where almost everyone knows one another. Worship is offered three times a week (Sunday morning, Tuesday afternoon, Thursday evening) with weekly rosary, Eucharistic adoration twice a month, and a Reconciliation schedule that includes evenings and appointments. As a linked parish with St. Michael in Charlestown, members enjoy Vacation Bible School, parish outings, social events, shared youth ministry, and a partnership with St. John Paul II parish, while still keeping the small-parish character of Henryville — Fish Fries, catechesis from age two through adult, and a parish-maintained cemetery.
Mass times at St. Francis Xavier [North Clark County Catholic]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 4:30 pm — 5:30 pm, and by appointment (call 812-256-3200)
Adoration times
- 1st Sunday — 30 minutes before Mass (about 8:30–9:00 am)
- 2nd & 4th Thursday — 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Welcome & Identity
St. Francis Xavier is a small, family-oriented Roman Catholic parish of about 100 families in Henryville, Clark County, Indiana, in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. It is linked with St. Michael in Charlestown to form the North Clark County Catholic collaborative, sharing clergy, faith formation, youth activities, and parish life while retaining its own distinct identity as the first Catholic Church in Henryville.
- Parish #083 in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis
- Number of families: 100
- Church capacity: 150
- Linked with St. Michael, Charlestown (North Clark County Catholic)
Parish History
Founded in 1869 by local Catholic families who cut and hauled the timbers and provided most of the labor, the parish has served Henryville continuously for more than 150 years. A new brick church replaced the original frame building in 1927–28, and an elevator was added in 2002 to improve accessibility.
- 1869 — Founding; first Catholic Church built in Henryville
- 1872 — First recorded baptism (October 29)
- 1882 — Parish cemetery purchased near Henryville
- 1887 — First recorded marriage
- 1894 — First First Communion class (4 boys, 11 girls); confirmed 1896 by Bishop F.S. Chatard
- 1919 — Mission given to St. Mary's of New Albany; new church campaign begins
- 1927 — Cornerstone of new church laid
- 1928 (June 15) — First service in new church (a Confirmation, bishop from Nashville, TN)
- 1928 (June 17) — Formal dedication of the new church
- 1934 (July) — Rev. Matthew Herold appointed resident pastor during the Great Depression
- 2002 — Elevator installed for accessibility
St. Francis Xavier Today
Under Administrator Rev. Jeyaseelan Sengolraj ('Father Jey') and the Parish Council, the parish serves 100+ families with weekly Mass, ongoing faith formation for all ages, parish Fish Fries, and shared youth and family activities through the link with St. Michael, Charlestown. The cemetery is maintained by supportive parishioners and managed by Vicki and Richard Horine.
- Welcomes new members
- Evangelization focused on youth, families, prayer, and care of church and community
- Linked-parish partnership with St. John Paul II for shared resources and programs
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Catechesis at St. Francis Xavier is offered from age two through adulthood, led by Emily Tischendorf and a team of catechists. The parish shares Vacation Bible School, parish outings, and youth events with its linked parish, St. Michael in Charlestown.
- Religious Education for ages 2 through adult
- Emily Tischendorf — Religious Education lead
- Shared Vacation Bible School with St. Michael, Charlestown
- Joint youth outings and social events with St. Michael
- Partnership with St. John Paul II parish for shared programs and resources
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at the parish is coordinated by Music Director Bridget Meyers, supporting the Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday Mass schedule.
- Music Director: Bridget Meyers
Parish Staff
The parish is led by an Administrator priest and supported by a small team of lay staff and volunteers in music, administration, religious education, and cemetery care.
- Administrator: Rev. Jeyaseelan Sengolraj
- Music Director: Bridget Meyers
- Administrative Assistant: Joann Ettel
- Religious Education Lead: Emily Tischendorf
- Cemetery Managers: Vicki and Richard Horine
Sacraments
Sacramental preparation and celebration are arranged through the parish office. Reconciliation is offered weekly on Thursday evenings with appointments available, and parishioners are encouraged to contact the office for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage preparation.
- Reconciliation — Thursdays 4:30–5:30 pm and by appointment
- Baptism — by arrangement with the parish office
- First Communion — preparation through Religious Education program
- Confirmation — preparation through Religious Education program
- Marriage — contact parish office for preparation
Parish Cemetery
Ground for a parish cemetery near Henryville was purchased in 1882, giving the Catholic community a local burial site after earlier burials at St. Mary's of the Knobs and St. Joseph's Hill. Today the cemetery is cared for by parishioners and managed by Vicki and Richard Horine.
- Cemetery ground purchased near Henryville in 1882
- Currently managed by Vicki and Richard Horine
- Maintained by supportive parishioners
Facilities & Accessibility
Ongoing renovations and improvements to the 1928 church have been funded by parishioners over the decades. In 2002 an elevator was installed to make the parish more accessible to those with mobility needs.
- Current church built 1927–1928; cornerstone laid 1927; dedicated June 17, 1928
- Elevator installed in 2002
- On-site parking
Getting Involved & Community Life
St. Francis Xavier is a community where nearly every parish function — catechesis, cemetery care, fundraising Fish Fries, music, and the Parish Council — is carried out by parishioners. The parish especially welcomes new members and families, and shares social life generously with its linked parish in Charlestown.
- Parish Council governance
- Volunteer catechists
- Fish Fry fundraisers
- Cemetery care volunteers
- Music ministry
- Welcoming new members and families
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at the church at 101 N. Ferguson Street in Henryville. The parish shares an office line with its linked parish in Charlestown and can be reached by phone or email through the North Clark County Catholic collaborative.
- Address: 101 N. Ferguson St., Henryville, IN 47126
- Phone: 812-294-4682
- Parish office line (shared): 812-256-3200
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.stfrancisxavierhenryville.org
- Linked parish website: http://stmichaelcharlestown.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Hillebrand
First resident pastor of St. Francis Xavier.
- Rev. Matthew Heroldappointed July 1934
Appointed resident pastor during the 'year of the Great Exodus' (Great Depression era); Henryville once again received a resident priest under his leadership.