About St. Joseph · Lebanon, Indiana
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church is a parish in Lebanon, Indiana, serving Roman Catholic families in Boone County as part of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana. The parish traces its roots to 1862, when its earliest members — German farmers and Irish railroad workers — first gathered for Mass, and it was formally dedicated as St. Joseph Church by Bishop Herman Aldering on July 20, 1902. Today the parish is pastored together with St. Mary, Frankfort, as a Pastorate of the diocese, offering daily and weekend Mass, the sacraments, faith formation for all ages, OCIA (formerly RCIA), Life Teen youth ministry, and a broad network of commissions — Formation, Worship, Parish Life, Outreach, and Administration — that organize parish life. The current church building was dedicated on December 16, 2012, replacing the previous structure that had served since 1891.
- Established
- 1862
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Fr. Paul W. Cochran (Missionary Pastor)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
Why belong here
St. Joseph offers the fullness of Catholic life in Boone County: a current church building dedicated in 2012, daily and weekend Mass with livestream options, weekly Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, and a full sacramental program including infant Baptism, First Reconciliation and Eucharist, Confirmation in odd-numbered years, and OCIA for adults. Families with children and teens can plug into Faith Formation and the Life Teen youth ministry, while adults have Bible studies, a men's faith group, a women's Bible study, Cursillo, and a Women's Day of Reflection. Pastoral care and outreach ministries reach both the parish and the wider Lebanon community, and newcomers can register online or pick up forms in the gathering space to be properly welcomed.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 12:30 PM (following 12:00 PM Mass)
- Thursday: 8:30 AM (following 8:00 AM Mass)
- Saturday: 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM
- Friday: 8:30 AM following 8:00 AM Mass (end time varies)
About St. Joseph Parish
St. Joseph Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Lebanon, Boone County, in the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana. The parish is called in Christ 'to celebrate God's love and to share it with one another and the community through faith, good works, and hope.' Its stated mission is to create faithful stewards of time, talent, and treasure; share the Good News and celebrate the Sacraments with life-long Christian formation; respect all life from conception to natural death; and empower all of God's people by raising up the lowly and the poor and being a sign of unity and peace.
- Located at 319 East South Street, Lebanon, IN 46052
- Part of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
- Pastorate since August 19, 2020 with St. Mary, Frankfort
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM–4 PM (summer 9 AM–2 PM)
Parish History
Catholic worship in Lebanon began in 1862 in a local homestead, served from St. Dominic, Breese, by diocesan priests from Lafayette. A 'downtown cottage' became the St. Charles mission by 1866. The first resident pastor, Fr. Thomas Cahill, was appointed in 1874. After a former Disciples of Christ building was remodeled the parish was briefly called St. Joachim; Bishop Herman Aldering rededicated it St. Joseph Church on July 20, 1902. In 1891 Fr. Gillen and trustees Franz Morgenstern and Henry Becherer acquired land on what is now Hwy 32 and built a Gothic brick-and-stone church (cornerstone 1892, paid for by 1897). The Redemptorists assumed care of the parish in 1927 at Bishop John Noll's invitation, opened a school in 1947 staffed from 1949 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tipton, and returned administration to diocesan priests in 1972. Construction of the present church began November 2011 and the new church was dedicated December 16, 2012, the parish's 150th anniversary year.
- 1862 — first Mass for Catholic families in Lebanon; mission served from St. Dominic, Breese
- 1866 — parish records: 24 Baptisms, 12 First Communions, 18 Confirmations, 2 Marriages, 1 Death
- 1874 — Fr. Thomas Cahill named first resident pastor
- 1891 — land purchased for Gothic brick-and-stone church (~$10,000, ~300 seats)
- 1892 — cornerstone laid Easter Monday
- 1902 — Bishop Aldering dedicates St. Joseph Church on July 20
- 1927 — Redemptorists invited by Bishop Noll (60 families)
- 1947 — parish school opened; placed under Sisters of St. Joseph of Tipton in 1949
- 1968 — land acquired for the present church
- 1969 — parish school closed
- 1972 — Redemptorists depart; diocesan priests return
- 1974 — 375 active families / 1,313 individuals
- 2003 — St. Joseph clusters with St. Mary, Trenton; St. George, New Baden; St. Bernard, Albers; St. Damian, Damiansville
- 2011 — construction begins on new church (November)
- 2012 — new church dedicated December 16; parish celebrates 150 years
- 2020 — August 19, St. Joseph enters Pastorate with St. Mary, Frankfort
Pastorate of St. Mary, Frankfort and St. Joseph, Lebanon
Since August 19, 2020, St. Joseph Church has been joined to St. Mary, Frankfort as a Pastorate of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana. The pastorate shares clergy and operational leadership across the two Clinton County-area parishes. St. Mary's address is 600 St. Mary's Avenue, Frankfort, IN 46041-2735.
- Missionary Pastor: Fr. Paul W. Cochran
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Stephen Duquaine, J.C.L.
- Parish office: 319 East South Street, Lebanon, IN 46052 — 765-482-5558 — [email protected]
Parish Staff
The parish staff includes the pastors, a Pastorate Director of Operations, Pastorate Director of Evangelization, Religious Education Coordinator, Director of Music, Administrative Assistant, Sacristan, and Maintenance staff.
- Fr. Paul W. Cochran — Missionary Pastor
- Fr. Stephen Duquaine, J.C.L. — Parochial Vicar
- Pastorate Director of Operations
- Pastorate Director of Evangelization
- Grace Barton — Religious Education Coordinator / Director of Religious Education
- Sandra Santucci — Director of Music
- Becky Albano-Miller — Administrative Assistant
- Sacristan
- Maintenance staff
Sacraments
St. Joseph prepares parishioners for each of the seven sacraments. Infant Baptism is preceded by parental instruction and arranged through the Parish Office at least two months in advance; no baptisms are celebrated during Lent. Children prepare for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist through the Religious Education program, and Confirmation is celebrated in odd-numbered years during the Easter season. Adults preparing for Confirmation or Baptism join the OCIA process.
- Baptism (infant and adult via OCIA)
- First Reconciliation
- First Eucharist
- Confirmation (Easter season, odd-numbered years)
- Eucharist (daily and Sunday Mass, with livestream)
- Reconciliation — Tue 12:30 PM, Thu 8:30 AM, Sat 3:30–4:15 PM
- Anointing of the Sick
- Matrimony
- Holy Orders
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) walks inquirers through the stages of Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification and Preparation, Initiation, and Mystagogy. 'Come and See' Inquiry sessions are held on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM in the St. Gregory the Great Room; the OCIA team coordinator is Barry Crist. Catechumens are received into the Church at the Easter Vigil, receiving Baptism (if needed), Confirmation, and the Eucharist. A separate Children's Catechumenate meets in special sessions for age-appropriate initiation; contact the Director of Religious Education.
- Inquiry: Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM, St. Gregory the Great Room
- Coordinator: Barry Crist
- Children's Catechumenate — contact the Director of Religious Education
Faith Formation
The Formation Commission oversees faith formation from preschool through adulthood, including the Director of Religious Education for Children, the High School Youth Minister, OCIA, Cursillo, Catechists, and Adult Formation. The parish's other commissions — Worship, Parish Life, Outreach, and Administration — are coordinated by Parish Leadership, with Leadership Night held on the second Monday of each month following the 6:00 PM Mass.
- Director of Religious Education (children)
- High School Youth Minister
- OCIA / Children's Catechumenate
- Cursillo
- Adult Bible Study
- Women's Bible Study
- Men's Faith Study
- Women's Day of Reflection
- Catechists
Worship and Music
The Worship Commission partners with the Pastor, Sacristan, and Director of Music to plan the parish's liturgical and devotional prayer life. Worship aspires to balanced liturgical and devotional prayer that 'leads us to live the Gospel message in work and action, not only in our homes, but in our communities and at the global level.'
- Director of Music — Sandra Santucci
- Sacristan
- Worship Commission
- Order of the Mass Link (for livestream participation)
Parish Life
The Parish Life Commission strengthens the parish community by welcoming new members and fostering celebrations and social opportunities that unite the parish's various sub-communities. Newcomers can register online or submit a Parish Registration Form to the parish office.
- Parish registration (online and paper form)
- Parish Life Commission
- Facilities available for parish use
Outreach and Pastoral Care
The Outreach Commission encompasses pastoral care, social services, peace & justice, and evangelization — reaching both parishioners and the wider Lebanon/Boone County community and beyond.
- Pastoral care
- Social services
- Peace and justice
- Evangelization
Parish Administration and Facilities
The Administration Commission coordinates the councils, committees, and buildings-and-grounds work that keep the parish running. The Parish Finance Council meets on the second Tuesday of the month, every other month, to ensure compliance with diocesan financial guidelines, develop and oversee the parish budget, conduct long-range financial planning, and provide fiscal analysis.
- Parish Council
- Finance Council (meets 2nd Tuesday every other month)
- Buildings and Grounds
- Strategic Planning
- Kitchen Committee
- Facility Rental Committee
- Maintenance staff
Communication
The parish communicates through a weekly bulletin, Flocknote (text keyword STJOELEB to 84576), and multiple Facebook pages. Announcements for the bulletin are due to the Parish Office by Monday at 12:00 PM (noon); bulletin inserts must be approved by the Parish Office with drafts submitted by 4:00 PM on the prior Tuesday. A gathering-space monitor publishes upcoming events, and weather-related closures (offices closed, Mass cancelled) are posted online and on the monitor.
- Weekly bulletin (distributed at the end of each Mass)
- Flocknote (text STJOELEB to 84576)
- Facebook: St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church; St. Joseph Religious Education Lebanon; St. Joseph Middle School Youth; St. Joseph Lifeteen Lebanon Indiana; St. Joseph Young Adults
- Gathering Space Monitor
Contact and Location
The parish office is at 319 East South Street, Lebanon, IN 46052. Phone: 765-482-5558; fax: 765-482-1436; email: [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (summer 9:00 AM–2:00 PM).
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Thomas Cahill1874
First resident pastor of the parish.
- Fr. Gillen1891
Acquired land on Hwy 32 with trustees Franz Morgenstern and Henry Becherer for a Gothic brick-and-stone church.
- Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists)1927–1972
Invited by Bishop John Noll in 1927 to assume care of the parish's 60 families; departed in 1972.
- Msgr. James Margason
Listed among pastors of St. Joseph on the parish timeline.
- Fr. Paul W. Cochran
Current Missionary Pastor of the Pastorate of St. Mary, Frankfort and St. Joseph, Lebanon.
- Fr. Stephen Duquaine, J.C.L.
Current Parochial Vicar.