About St. John the Apostle · Bloomington, Indiana
St. John the Apostle Catholic Church is a parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis serving the Ellettsville–Bloomington area of Monroe County, Indiana, from its home at 4607 W. State Road 46. Founded in 1970 as the first new parish built in the Archdiocese after Vatican II, it has been known for half a century as 'the People's Parish' — a family-sized faith community of roughly 400 households that worships in a hilltop church graced with faceted stained-glass Stations of the Cross. The parish also shares clergy and a web presence with its sister mission, St. Jude the Apostle in Spencer, and it currently celebrates a Spanish-language Sunday Mass alongside its English schedule.
- Established
- 1970
- Patron
- St. John the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Dennis M. Duvelius
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. John the Apostle is a mid-sized Catholic family parish of about 400 households where, as one longtime parishioner puts it, 'it's just been a family to us.' It offers a full sacramental life in English and Spanish, a K–10 Religious Education program with parent involvement, a year-round RCIA process, an active teen youth group, an adult Apologetics study, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, and Knights of Columbus Council 1096. Its new pipe organ project, 1998-built hilltop church with faceted stained-glass Stations of the Cross, and a half-century reputation as the Archdiocese of Indianapolis' 'People's Parish' make it a warm place to put down roots.
Mass times at St. John the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 8:00 AM (before 8:30 AM Mass)
- Tuesday 5:00 PM (before 5:30 PM Mass)
- Wednesday 5:30 PM (at St. Jude, Spencer, before 6:00 PM Mass)
- Thursday 5:00 PM (before 5:30 PM Mass) and 8:30 AM at St. Jude, Spencer (before 9:00 AM Mass)
- Saturday 4:30 PM (before 5:00 PM Vigil Mass)
- Sunday 7:00 AM (before 7:30 AM Mass)
- Sunday 8:45 AM (before 9:15 AM Mass)
- Sunday 5:00 PM (before 5:30 PM Spanish Mass)
- 30 minutes prior to any Mass, or by appointment — call (812) 876-1974
Adoration times
- Tuesday 6:00–7:00 PM during the school year (follows the 5:30 PM Mass)
- First Friday of the month: begins on the eve of the first Friday, immediately after the 5:30 PM Tuesday Mass, and concludes with 8:30 AM Mass on Friday morning
About St. John the Apostle
The parish's Mission Statement says: 'St. John the Apostle Catholic Church welcomes all people, wherever they may be on their faith journey, to join our parish family as we strive to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Putting our faith into action, we demonstrate the love of Christ in our lives and in the Ellettsville-Bloomington community.' The parish family 'embraces the teachings of Jesus Christ, handed down to us from the Apostles,' and seeks to share the Gospel message locally and globally through the grace of the Sacraments. A 50th-anniversary book chronicling the parish's history is sold through the church office.
- Mission: to welcome all people wherever they are on their faith journey
- Vision: to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ and serve the Ellettsville–Bloomington community
- 50th Anniversary history book by Denise Sawyer — 240 pages, illustrated, available from the parish office ($50 color copies)
History: 'The People's Parish'
Dedicated October 21, 1970 by Archbishop George J. Biskup as the first new parish in the Archdiocese after Vatican II, St. John's grew from a horse-farm site into a commercial corridor and then to its present hilltop home, dedicated December 20, 1998. The 14 faceted-glass Stations of the Cross and three large altar windows were relocated from the original building. Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin celebrated a 50th-anniversary liturgy in 2020. The parish has been served by six pastors over its 50+ years and remains a 400-family community often called 'the prettiest parish in the archdiocese.'
- Founded 1970; dedicated Oct. 21, 1970
- Original site: a quiet horse farm overtaken by commercial development
- Relocation led by parishioner Ann Floyd, who followed a 'for sale' sign to a wildflower-covered meadow
- New church dedicated Dec. 20, 1998
- 50th anniversary celebrated in 2020 with Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin
- 240-page illustrated history by Denise Sawyer published in 2020
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is pastored by Father Dennis M. Duvelius, who also serves as pastor of sister mission St. Jude the Apostle in Spencer. He is assisted by Permanent Deacon Dr. Richard M. Stanford. Day-to-day parish life is supported by a Director of Music, Administrator of Religious Education, Youth Minister, OCIA coordinator, Parish Council Chair, Secretary, and Bookkeeper.
- Pastor: Rev. Dennis M. Duvelius (also pastor of St. Jude the Apostle, Spencer; ordained 1996, FSSP)
- Permanent Deacon: Dcn. Dr. Richard M. Stanford
- Parish Council Chair: Stephen Denny
- Music Director: Dr. Sarah Moon Stamey
- Administrator of Religious Education: Scout Denny
- OCIA: Barb Kubisch
- Youth Minister: Dean Wells
- Parish Secretary: Maurica Clouser
- Bookkeeper: Ruth Dubé
- Staff: Rebecca Dauby
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a K–10 Religious Education Program (REP) on Sunday mornings using the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Scripture, and Archdiocesan-approved texts, emphasizing that 'parents are essential and irreplaceable' in passing on the faith. A Faith Formation Commission serves as an advisory body, with any registered parishioner 18 or older eligible to run for a three-year term. An adult Apologetics study group meets Sunday mornings after the 9:15 AM Mass, following the REP calendar.
- Religious Education Program (REP) for K–Grade 10
- Faith Formation Commission (3-year elected terms)
- Apologetics — adult ongoing faith study (Sundays after 9:15 AM Mass)
- Contact: (812) 876-1974
RCIA / OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a year-round program for non-Catholics seeking to enter the Roman Catholic Church. The pastor and catechist lead the process, supported by parishioners who serve as catechists, sponsors, and witnesses. Inquiries are welcomed at any time via the parish office.
- Year-round RCIA process
- Led by the pastor and catechist with parish support
- Coordinator: Barb Kubisch
- Contact the parish office for current class schedule
Youth Ministry
St. John the Apostle's teen Youth Group invites all middle- and high-school teens to know, treasure, and live their Catholic faith through retreats, classes, social functions, and community service. Activities are typically scheduled on the third Sunday of the month at 5:00 PM, with a more casual Sunday Drop-In running 6:00–7:30 PM for games, adoration, and fellowship.
- Teen Youth Group — 3rd Sunday of the month at 5:00 PM
- Sunday Drop-In — 6:00–7:30 PM (games, adoration, fellowship)
- Contact: Dean Wells — [email protected] or (812) 876-1974
- Additional contacts: Barb & John Kubisch; Michelle & Dean Wells
Music & the Pipe Organ Project
Music is led by Director of Music Dr. Sarah Moon Stamey, supported by retired Director of Music Chuck Peters. The parish is currently undertaking a major Pipe Organ Project: a 1926 Wicks pipe organ (three manuals, 38 ranks, ~2,800 pipes) is being acquired — for free — from the closing St. John Lutheran Church in Richmond, Indiana, to replace the existing 1993 electronic instrument. The USCCB document 'Sing to the Lord' describes the pipe organ as the desired instrument for leading congregational singing. Stage 1 building prep begins Monday, January 5, 2026, with weekday Masses moving to the gym; weekend Masses continue as usual in the main church.
- Director of Music: Dr. Sarah Moon Stamey
- Pipe organ: 1926 Wicks, 3 manuals, 38 ranks, ~2,800 pipes, from St. John Lutheran, Richmond, IN
- Replacing a 1993 electronic organ
- Stage 1 construction: Jan 5, 2026 — building prep, new organ chambers, conduit beneath floor
- Organ Committee: Cliff Burk, Joe Car, Steve Keucher, Doyle Newquist, Chuck Peters, Brent Stamey, Sarah Stamey
- Memorial gift opportunities: naming gift, real chimes, harp stop, Great chorus, festival trumpet
Outreach & Social Action
The parish puts its faith into action through the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, which provides financial aid, furniture, appliances, and referrals to neighbors in need across Monroe County, and through the Knights of Columbus Council 1096, which supports pro-life causes, Catholic vocations, and the wider community through fundraising and service.
- Saint Vincent de Paul Society — Home Visitors, Warehouse Ministers, Phone Ministers, Communication Ministers, Special Event Ministers (Annual Pancake Breakfast; Hog Roast Beer Garden Fest)
- Knights of Columbus Council 1096 — meets at 123 S. Walnut St., Bloomington (entrance on 4th Street under K of C banner)
- K of C meetings: 2nd Tue 7:00 PM Rosary / 7:30 PM Business; 4th Tue 7:30 PM Social
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church and prepares children and adults to receive them. Religious Education (K–10) prepares school-age Catholics for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Adults enter the Church through the year-round RCIA process. Couples should contact the parish office for marriage preparation; the pastor also ministers Anointing of the Sick and other pastoral needs by appointment.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation / First Communion / Confirmation (via REP)
- Marriage preparation (contact the parish office)
- Anointing of the Sick and pastoral care (by appointment)
- RCIA / OCIA (year-round, see separate section)
Other Parish Groups & Fellowship
Beyond the core ministries, the parish hosts a number of small groups and devotional opportunities that help parishioners connect, pray, and serve together.
- The King's Men
- Parish Fellowship
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Prayer Requests
- Faith Formation Commission
- Apologetics study group
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis 'Frank' Buck1970–1982
Founding pastor; dedicated the church Oct. 21, 1970; made religious education a priority and is credited with giving St. John's its 'People's Parish' identity.
- Rev. Myles Smith1982–1995
Shepherded the parish through the years leading up to the relocation decision.
- Rev. Daniel B. Donohoo1996–2001
Oversaw the move to the new hilltop campus dedicated Dec. 20, 1998; also served as an archdiocesan judge on the Metropolitan Tribunal.
- Rev. Michael C. Fritsch2001–2013
Later dean of the Bloomington Deanery; started a young married couples' group during his tenure; now pastor of Mary, Queen of Peace, Danville.
- Rev. Daniel J. Mahan2013–2019
Celebrated the parish's 45th-anniversary era; assigned to St. Barnabas, Indianapolis, in 2019.
- Rev. Dennis M. Duvelius2019–present
Also serves as pastor of St. Jude the Apostle, Spencer; incardinated into the Archdiocese of Indianapolis from the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), where he was ordained in 1996.