About St. Jude · Indianapolis, Indiana
St. Jude Catholic Church is a southside Indianapolis parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, located on McFarland Road in Perry Township. Founded in 1959 by Father William E. Vollmuth on land carved from Holy Name of Jesus, the former St. James the Greater, and St. Mark the Evangelist parishes, it has grown from 350 families at founding to over 1,500 today. The parish runs an elementary school (K-8, ~450 students), a family-formation catechetical program, and ministries for youth, music, and outreach. It is led today by Fr. Peter Marshall (Pastor) and Fr. Tony Eziefule (Associate Pastor), with two parish deacons and a wide lay staff.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- St. Jude (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Fr. Peter Marshall
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Jude offers the full sacramental life of an Indianapolis parish — daily and weekend Mass, regular Reconciliation, Adoration, the OCIA/RCIA process, and Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation — alongside a parish grade school (K-8) and a K-8 Family Formation program that equips parents as the primary catechists of their children. What sets it apart is the breadth of community life: roughly 50 ministries and organizations, a vibrant youth ministry, a long-running annual Parish Festival (held on parish grounds each May with rides, food, and a silent auction), and an active pastoral-care team. For a southside Catholic family seeking both strong faith formation and a tight-knit, multigenerational parish, St. Jude presents itself as a parish that parishioners 'don't just attend, but literally attend to.'
Mass times at St. Jude
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 5:00 – 5:45 PM
- Thursday: 5:00 – 5:45 PM
- Saturday: 3:00 – 3:45 PM
- Anytime by appointment
About St. Jude Catholic Church
St. Jude Catholic Church is a southside Indianapolis parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, located at 5353 McFarland Rd. The parish is pastored by Fr. Peter Marshall with Fr. Tony Eziefule as associate pastor, supported by Deacons Dave Henn and Jim Kitchens and a full lay staff. The community gathers for daily Mass, three Sunday Masses, and a robust faith-formation, school, and outreach program.
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
- Perry Township, southside Indianapolis
- Founded 1959
- 1,500+ parish families
- Pastor: Fr. Peter Marshall
History
Established in 1959 by Archbishop Paul C. Schulte with Fr. William E. Vollmuth as founding pastor, St. Jude grew from 350 founding families into one of the largest parishes on the south side of Indianapolis. The community built its first church, school, and Parish Activity Dwelling (1972) over the next two decades, then dedicated a new church in 1997 with Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein. The parish celebrated its 50th anniversary on August 15, 2009, with the theme 'Looking Back with Pride and Forward with Hope.'
- 1959 — parish founded by Fr. William E. Vollmuth
- Aug. 15, 1959 — first Mass (Feast of the Assumption)
- Sept. 15, 1959 — school opens with 328 students
- 1972 — Parish Activity Dwelling built
- 1997 — current church dedicated
- 2009 — 50th anniversary
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by its pastor and associate pastor, with a sizable lay staff supporting faith formation, liturgy and music, youth ministry, pastoral care, communications, buildings and grounds, and parish administration. Two deacons — Dave Henn and Jim Kitchens — assist in parish life. Fr. Peter Marshall announced staffing changes in June 2023 to support the parish's continued growth.
- Pastor: Fr. Peter Marshall
- Associate Pastor: Fr. Tony Eziefule
- Deacon Dave Henn
- Deacon Jim Kitchens
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Allison Heller
- Pastoral Associate of Faith Formation: Christie Denzer
- Youth Minister: Keith Owen
- Director of Liturgy and Music: Colleen Pingel
- Pastoral Care Specialist: Patti Collins
- Director of Ministry Operations: Kris Chaney
- Communications Coordinator: Jonathan Matthes
- School Principal: Beth Meece
- Director of Building & Grounds: Matthew Strehle
- Office Administrator: Carla Russell
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Jude reaches children, youth, and adults. The Family Formation program gathers K-8 students and their parents once a month on Sunday mornings (8:30–9:50 AM), with parents receiving their own formation while children meet with trained catechists. The parish also runs Children's Ministries, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Vacation Bible School, the OCIA process for adults, and the RCIC process for children.
- Family Formation (K-8th) — monthly Sundays 8:30–9:50 AM
- 2nd-grade preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion
- 8th-grade preparation for Confirmation
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- Vacation Bible School
- OCIA (adults) and RCIC (children)
- Adult Education and Spiritual Direction
- Circles small-group ministry
- Scouting
St. Jude Catholic School
St. Jude Catholic School (K-8) has been part of the parish since September 15, 1959, when it opened to 328 students. The school's mission is 'developing minds, shaping hearts, and engaging hands for the glory and honor of God.' It enrolls roughly 450 students today, supported by an active school principal and parish community.
- Opened September 15, 1959 with 328 students
- K-8 elementary school
- Approx. 450 students today
- Principal: Beth Meece
- Clubs: Chess Club, Math Club (K-5), 100 Mile Club, Board Game Club
Parish Life & Festival
Beyond liturgical and formation ministries, St. Jude runs an active community life. The annual Parish Festival, held each spring on parish grounds, features carnival rides (Jessop Amusement), a beer garden, kids' games in the gymnasium, food trucks, live bands, and a silent auction. The festival is supported by a MOMS-led cake wheel and Scout-run coin toss, among many other volunteer groups.
- Annual Parish Festival (late May/early June)
- Carnival rides by Jessop Amusement
- Beer garden for 21+
- Silent Auction
- Kids' games in the gymnasium
- Food trucks: Kona Ice, 360 Booth, Bomb Papa Curl
Stewardship & Capital Campaign
St. Jude runs an active Stewardship program rooted in Catholic tradition, calling parishioners to a way of life 'rooted in gratitude for God's abundant gifts.' Following a 2024 facilities master plan, the parish has launched the 'Continuing the Mission, Investing in Our Future' Capital Campaign to address pressing campus needs. Online giving is available via OSV, and the parish also maintains a St. Jude Parish Endowment.
- Annual Stewardship Renewal Booklet
- OSV Online Giving
- Continuing the Mission, Investing in Our Future Capital Campaign
- St. Jude Parish Endowment
- 2024-25 Annual Report published online
Pastoral Care & Outreach
A Pastoral Care Specialist (Patti Collins) supports parishioners in need through bereavement and other support groups, half-time administrative work, and pastoral accompaniment. The parish describes itself as a community that 'reaches out to people,' with parishioners involved in nearly 50 organizations and outreach programs at the height of its history. A Director of Evangelization, Outreach and Campus Ministry role has also been created within the parish.
- Pastoral Care Specialist: Patti Collins
- Bereavement and support groups
- Director of Evangelization, Outreach and Campus Ministry role
- Long-standing parish tradition of service to the southside
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are welcome at the parish office, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The church is located at 5353 McFarland Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46227; a 'Directions' link is provided on the Contact Us page. The parish can be reached by phone at (317) 786-4371.
- Address: 5353 McFarland Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46227
- Phone: (317) 786-4371
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday Mass livestream at 10:00 AM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. William E. Vollmuth1959 (founding pastor)
Designated by Archbishop Paul C. Schulte to found the parish; celebrated the first Mass on August 15, 1959.
- Fr. Stephen Banetaround 2009
Pastor at the time of the parish's 50th anniversary celebrations; described St. Jude as a 'grassroots community' with 'solidarity.'
- Fr. Peter Marshallthrough at least 2023–2025
Current pastor; announced parish staffing changes in June 2023 and is leading the 'Continuing the Mission, Investing in Our Future' capital campaign.