About St. Joseph University Parish · Terre Haute, Indiana
St. Joseph University Parish is a Franciscan Catholic parish in downtown Terre Haute, Indiana, served by the Conventual Franciscan Friars since 1872. Founded in 1837 by Bishop Simon Bruté of Vincennes, it is one of the oldest Catholic communities in the Wabash Valley and has served as the official University Parish for Indiana State University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and Ivy Tech Community College since the 1960s. Home to about 605 families and a robust Catholic Campus Ministry, the parish proclaims the Gospel, ministers to the poor, and sustains a sister-parish relationship in Honduras.
- Established
- 1837
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Robert Showers, OFM Conv.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis (Terre Haute Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Joseph University Parish welcomes about 605 families into a Franciscan family nourished by the Eucharist, with active Catholic Campus Ministry for students at Indiana State, Rose-Hulman, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, and Ivy Tech. Members grow in faith through a wide range of ministries, religious education programs for all ages, devotion to the Blessed Sacrament (including weekly Adoration and Benediction), and outreach to the poor of the Wabash Valley and a sister parish in Honduras — all carried forward by the Conventual Franciscan Friars who have served here since 1872.
Mass times at St. Joseph University Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30–4:30 pm
- Thursday: 7:00–8:00 pm
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday: 6:00–8:00 pm
History of St. Joseph University Parish
The parish traces its roots to January 1837, when Bishop Simon Bruté of Vincennes rode north to the young city of Terre Haute to celebrate Mass in the home of James and Mrs. Farrington. He purchased land on South Fifth Street for $500, and construction began on the first church later that year. St. Joseph grew with the city as immigrant families arrived with the first railroad in 1852, and was successively served by diocesan priests, Jesuits, Benedictines, and — beginning in 1872 — the Conventual Franciscan Friars who remain today. The cornerstone of the present church was laid in 1910, a fire in 1934 led to extensive interior repairs, and a full renovation was completed in 1991. In the 1960s the parish was designated as the official University Parish for local colleges.
- 1837 — Bishop Simon Bruté founds St. Joseph Parish; Father Stanislaus Buteux becomes first pastor
- 1848 — Father Simon Lalumiere opens Saint Vincent Academy for Girls with the Sisters of Providence
- 1852 — First railroad brings new immigrant families; church expanded and rectory built
- 1872 — Conventual Franciscan Friars begin their ministry at St. Joseph
- 1910 — Cornerstone of the present church laid
- 1934 — Devastating fire; interior repaired within 11 months, altar consecrated by Bishop Joseph E. Ritter
- 1960s — Designated as official University Parish
- 1973 — Operations combined with The Student Center; Campus Center moved to the Parish Center
- 1987–1988 — Sesquicentennial celebrated
- 1991 — Complete renovation of the church
- 2012–2013 — 175th anniversary marked by The Criterion
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Conventual Franciscan Friars supported by a dedicated lay staff. The pastor, parochial vicars, and university minister carry on a Franciscan tradition of ministry that began here in 1872.
- Rev. Robert Showers, OFM Conv. — Pastor
- Rev. Robert St. Martin, OFM Conv. — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Antony Nallukellen, OFM Conv. — Parochial Vicar / University Ministry
- Rob Murray — Pastoral Associate for Adult Faith Formation
- Ryan Sheehy — Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry
- Sue Pultorak & Ed Pultorak — Coordinators of Liturgical Music
- Anna McDaniel — Business Manager / Bookkeeper
- Christina Ridgway — Parish Secretary
- Mary Jane Coker — Saturday Secretary
- Charles Lawrence — Parish Council Chair
Catholic Campus Ministry
For more than fifty years St. Joseph has reached beyond a typical parish mission to serve the academic communities of Terre Haute. The Campus Center — located in the Parish Center building next to the parish offices — is the hub for college outreach, including retreats and faith formation tailored for students.
- Indiana State University
- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
- Ivy Tech Community College
- Harrison College
- Student retreats and faith formation gatherings
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish supports a growing religious education program for parishioners of all ages, alongside dedicated youth ministry and adult faith formation led by the Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry and the Pastoral Associate for Adult Faith Formation.
- Religious Education program for parish youth
- Youth Ministry
- Adult Faith Formation (including RCIA)
- Family and intergenerational faith activities
Outreach and Mission
Faith at St. Joseph is expressed through service. The parish ministers to the poor of the Terre Haute area and sustains a sister-parish relationship in Honduras, embodying its Franciscan call to serve those in need.
- Service to the poor of the Wabash Valley
- Sister-parish relationship in Honduras
- Connection to local higher-education communities
Parish Life and Heritage
St. Joseph's roots in the Wabash Valley go back nearly two centuries, and the community continues to celebrate that heritage while looking forward to continued growth in faith. The friars and parishioners share a vision of remaining a welcoming, caring Franciscan family that grows in Catholic faith, charity, and acceptance.
- About 605 families
- Church capacity: 378
- Ongoing building renovations to meet codes and provide meeting space
- Longstanding ties with the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
Visit Us
Located in downtown Terre Haute on the west side of South Fifth Street between Ohio and Walnut, the parish welcomes visitors and students alike. Office hours, phone, and email are listed below for those wishing to learn more about parish life, sacraments, or ministries.
- Address: 113 S. 5th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807-3577
- Phone: 812-232-7011
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.stjoeup.org
- Monday: 8:30 am–1:00 pm
- Tuesday–Thursday: 8:30 am–4:30 pm (closed noon–1:00 pm)
- Friday: 8:30 am–1:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:30 am–noon
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Stanislaus Buteux1837
Installed by Bishop Simon Bruté as the first pastor of the newly established St. Joseph Parish.
- Father Simon Lalumiere
Early pastor who in 1848 partnered with the Sisters of Providence to open Saint Vincent Academy for Girls on Fifth and Walnut Streets.