About St. Gabriel · Connersville, Indiana
St. Gabriel Catholic Church is a historic parish in Connersville, Indiana, founded in 1851 and one of the oldest Catholic communities in Fayette County. Today it is twinned with St. Bridget Parish in nearby Liberty, Indiana, and together they share a single parish office and pastoral team under the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The parish is served by a resident pastor and parochial vicar, supports a parish school (PK-6) founded in 1854, and offers the full range of Mass, confession, Eucharistic adoration, youth ministry, and outreach ministries typical of a vibrant small-town Catholic community. With about 616 registered families, St. Gabriel continues the 175-year mission begun by a small group of German immigrant families on the west side of Connersville.
- Established
- 1851
- Patron
- St. Gabriel the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Dustin Boehm
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Gabriel is a 175-year-old parish where a single small-town Catholic community still knows one another and forms its children in the faith. Weekday and Sunday Masses, daily and Saturday confession, monthly all-day Eucharistic adoration, and a vibrant youth ministry (grades 7-12) are all offered on site. The parish school (PK-6) has been on the same West Ninth Street block since 1873, the Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent de Paul run food, prescription, and fuel-voucher outreach across Fayette and Union counties, and ministries from the Giving Tree to Homebound Communion keep parishioners tied to the wider community.
Mass times at St. Gabriel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 7:50 am – 8:20 am (St. Gabriel, Church Confessional)
- Wednesday 5:20 pm – 5:50 pm (St. Gabriel, Church Confessional)
- Thursday 7:50 am – 8:20 am (St. Gabriel, Church Confessional)
- Saturday 9:00 am – 10:30 am (St. Gabriel, Church Confessional)
- Friday 8:30 am – 8:45 am (St. Bridget, in the Sacristy after Mass)
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- First Tuesday of each month: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm (begins 8:30 am if there is no Mass that Tuesday)
- Every Tuesday 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
- First Friday of each month: 8:30 am Friday through 8:00 am Saturday
Parish Identity and Heritage
St. Gabriel Catholic Church was officially founded in 1851 in Connersville, Indiana, making it one of the oldest Catholic communities in Fayette County. Today it is twinned with St. Bridget Parish in Liberty, Indiana, and the two share a single pastor, parochial vicar, and parish office. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and has had only seventeen pastors in 175 years, with Father Dustin Boehm serving as the current pastor since 2014.
- Founded: 1851
- Patron: St. Gabriel the Archangel (Feast Day September 29)
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis
- Approximately 616 registered families
- Church capacity: 445
- Address: 232 West 9th Street, Connersville, IN 47331
- Parish merged operationally with St. Bridget, Liberty, IN
History of St. Gabriel Parish
The parish's story begins in 1851 when four trustees — Anthony Apert, Valentine Michael, Daniel Cohine, and George Heinemann — oversaw the laying of the first of an estimated 123,000 bricks on land donated by Abraham B. Conwell on the west side of Eastern Avenue. Fourteen families and several single men worshipped in Apert's home while the first church was built. The first resident pastor, Rev. Henry Peters (1853–1874), founded the parish school in 1854 and built the first rectory in 1858.
- 1851: First trustees appointed; first bricks laid; Rev. William Doyle credited with building the first church.
- 1853: Rev. Henry Peters becomes first resident priest.
- 1854: St. Gabriel School founded (the oldest continuously operating Catholic school in the parish's history).
- 1873: Two-story brick school opens on West Ninth Street — the same block where the school still stands.
- 1884: Present church dedicated June 15 by Bishop de Saint Palais of Vincennes.
- 1920s: Art-glass Mystery-of-the-Rosary windows installed under Fr. Theodore S. Mesker.
- 1926: Cornerstones laid for the '1926 building' school.
- 1958: New school addition completed under Fr. Arthur Mooney.
- 2001: Church Sesquicentennial celebrated with Archbishop Daniel Buechlein (Sept. 30).
- 2002: New school addition (offices, classrooms, multipurpose room) dedicated.
- 2004: Saxon Property donated; campus now spans Western–9th–Grand–railroad; school Sesquicentennial celebrated Aug. 28.
- 2014: Fr. Dustin Boehm becomes the 17th pastor.
The Present Church Building
Built by Father F. J. Rudolf and dedicated June 15, 1884 by Bishop de Saint Palais of Vincennes, the present St. Gabriel Church is distinguished by its complete set of 1920s art-glass windows depicting the fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary — the Joyful Mysteries on the west wall, the Glorious Mysteries on the east wall, the Sorrowful Mysteries in the large transept windows, and the Crucifixion on the north wall behind the altar. The 1890 rectory was repurposed over time, eventually becoming the parish office.
- Dedicated June 15, 1884
- Fifteen-Mystery Rosary stained-glass windows (1920s)
- Designed under Fr. F. J. Rudolf (1881–1906)
St. Gabriel Catholic School
St. Gabriel Catholic School (PK-6) is located at 224 West 9th Street, directly adjacent to the church on the same block the school has occupied since 1873. The school's mission is 'committed to education founded in faith, academic excellence and spiritual development within the context of a loving Catholic Community,' with the motto 'Grow in faith, seek wisdom, live with integrity.' Approximately 144 students are currently enrolled under Principal Michelle Struewing. The school marked its 150th anniversary (Sesquicentennial) on August 28, 2004.
- Founded 1854 by Father Henry Peters
- On West Ninth Street since 1873
- Grades: Pre-K through 6
- Principal: Michelle Struewing
- Phone: (765) 825-7951
- Website: stgabriel.k12.in.us
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Faith formation at St. Gabriel serves every age. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion typically begins in second grade. Confirmation preparation begins in the spring of a candidate's 8th-grade year and culminates with the Confirmation Mass in November of 9th grade, after completion of an entrance interview, Mass participation, service, classes, and a retreat. The parish Youth Group, open to grades 7-12 (with 6th graders invited beginning in April), meets on the 2nd and 3rd Wednesdays of each month, beginning with 6:00 pm Mass and ending at 8:00 pm.
- First Reconciliation / First Communion — typically 2nd grade
- Confirmation — begins Spring of 8th grade; Confirmation Mass in November of 9th grade
- Youth Group — 2nd & 3rd Wednesdays, 6:00–8:00 pm
- Director of Faith Formation / Youth Minister: Melissa Fronckowiak
Youth Group Events and Retreats
The youth ministry offers a busy calendar of faith, fellowship, and service opportunities throughout the year, with announcements communicated through the Remind app.
- NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference)
- Homeland Mission
- Bishop Brute Days
- Graced Retreats
- World Youth Day
- Senior Mass
- Joyce Rowland Youth Award
- CrossWord
- Totus Tuus
- Rosary Walks
- Community meals
- Pilgrimage
- Cookouts
- Camp Days
Adult Catechetical Team (ACT)
ACT is a team of parishioners who help provide adult faith-formation opportunities — recognizing that faith formation should not end at Confirmation. The team coordinates classes, speakers, and events on a variety of topics, including Fr. Dustin's 'Q&A with FD' YouTube series on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.
- Coordinates adult classes, speakers, and events
- Supports Fr. Dustin's 'Q&A with FD' YouTube series
Parish Ministries and Outreach
The parish sustains a wide network of lay-led ministries serving both parishioners and the wider Fayette and Union county communities, from social-fundraising groups to direct service to the poor and homebound.
Knights of Columbus
The local K of C council is active in spiritual, social, charitable, and community programs. Council meetings are on the first Mondays of each month at the K of C Hall, 921 Central Avenue. Major fundraisers — Lenten Fish Frys, Casino Nights, Italian Night, and chicken dinners — support St. Gabriel School, the parish, and community causes.
- Council meetings: 1st Mondays
- Hall: 921 Central Avenue
- Fundraisers: Lenten Fish Frys, Casino Nights, Italian Night, chicken dinners
- Knights of Columbus Auxiliary meets 2nd Tuesdays
- Fourth Degree Honor Guard serves at liturgies, parades, and funerals
St. Vincent de Paul Tri-County Chapter
The parish's St. Vincent de Paul Conference, organized as the Tri-County Chapter, serves Fayette and Union counties. The conference helps neighbors in need with prescription costs, gas vouchers, overnight lodging for transients, and food vouchers, and runs an annual Christmas food drive.
- Serves Fayette and Union counties
- Prescription, gas, and food-voucher assistance
- Annual Christmas food drive
Homebound Ministry and Compassionate Visitors
Trained Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Eucharist bring Communion to parishioners in the local hospital, nursing homes, and private homes. Compassionate Visitors are assigned to specific nursing-home residents who may otherwise receive few visitors, offering weekly companionship and a listening presence.
- Communion to the Homebound
- Hospital and nursing-home visitation
- Compassionate Visitors program
- Training provided
Pro-Life, Bereavement, Giving Tree, and Community Meals
Additional parish ministries include the Pro-Life Committee (which plans Respect Life Sunday Masses and supports the Archdiocesan Pro-Life effort), the Bereavement Ministry, the annual Giving Tree (which provides Christmas gifts to identified families in need), and a Community Meal partnership. Since 2014, five local churches — First Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Central Christian, Orange United Methodist, and St. Gabriel — have partnered to offer a Sunday-night meal; St. Gabriel provides and serves the meal on the fourth Sunday of each month at First Presbyterian.
- Pro-Life Committee
- Bereavement Ministry
- Giving Tree (Christmas outreach)
- Community Meal (St. Gabriel serves every 4th Sunday)
- Annual Thanksgiving Dinner at K of C Hall (Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, 3–6 pm; ~400 meals delivered)
Holy Orders and Religious Life
The parish has a documented list of 'Sons and Daughters of St. Gabriel Parish' who have entered Holy Orders or religious life, including Benedictine (OSB), Franciscan (OSF), Jesuit (SJ), and diocesan priests. Thirty assistant pastors have also served Saint Gabriel since 1927. The parish website lists the names of these religious vocations alongside the succession of pastors and the women religious who staffed the school (Sisters of Providence, Benedictines, and Franciscan sisters).
- Notable vocations include Fr. Joachim Walsh OSB, Fr. Frederick Walsh OSB, Fr. Noel William OFM, Fr. Marion Walsh OSB, Fr. Ludwig Stiller SJ, Msgr. J. J. Riedman OSF, Fr. Robert Mazzola OSF, and Fr. Stephen Jarrell.
- 30 assistant pastors have served since 1927.
- Parish school staffed historically by Sisters of Providence, Benedictines (OSB), and Franciscan sisters (OSF).
Staff and Leadership
St. Gabriel and St. Bridget share a single pastoral and administrative team. In addition to the pastor and parochial vicar, parish staff include a Director of Faith Formation/Youth Minister, school Principal, Business Manager, Director of Communications, Music Coordinator, and Administrative Assistant.
- Pastor: Rev. Dustin Boehm (since 2014)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Justin 'Bobby' Vogel
- Director of Faith Formation / Youth Minister: Melissa Fronckowiak
- Principal, St. Gabriel School: Michelle Struewing
- Business Manager: Pamela S. Rader
- Director of Communications: Abigail Saxon
- Music Coordinator: Debbie Barrett
- Administrative Assistant / Front Desk Coordinator: Leia Harrison
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Henry Peters1853-1874
First resident priest; built first rectory; founded St. Gabriel School (1854); built two-story brick school (1873).
- Rev. Peter Bischof1874-1876
Administered parish with Fr. Seepe; enlarged original church using balcony.
- Rev. B. H. Seepe1876-1881
Administered parish with Fr. Bischof; oversaw transition to the present church site.
- Rev. F. J. Rudolf1881-1906
Built the present church, dedicated June 15, 1884 by Bishop de Saint Palais.
- Right Rev. Theodore S. Mesker1906-1927
Installed the fifteen-Mysteries stained-glass windows in the 1920s; began construction of the 1926 school building; died 1927.
- Rev. Michael Wagner1927-1931
- Rev. Joseph Lannert1931
- Rev. Timothy Kavanaugh1931-1939
- Rev. Cornelius Bosler1939-1945
- Rev. Thomas McGrath1941-1951
- Rev. Arthur Mooney1951-1973
Oversaw 1958 school addition.
- Rev. John J. Minta1973-1975
- Monsignor Harold Knueven1975-1982
- Rev. Gerald Renn1982-1986
- Rev. Francis Eckstein1986-1996
- Rev. Stanley J. Herber1995-2014
Led 2001 sesquicentennial and 2002 school addition dedication; led 2004 campus expansion.
- Rev. Dustin Boehm2014-present
Seventeenth pastor of Saint Gabriel Parish; hosts 'Q&A with FD' on YouTube.