About St. Martin of Tours · Martinsville, Indiana
St. Martin of Tours is a Roman Catholic parish in Martinsville, Indiana, in the Morgan County area of southern Indiana. Founded in 1848 to serve Irish Catholic settlers in a community known as 'Little Ireland,' it is the third-oldest Catholic parish in the archdiocese and today serves about 431 families (approximately 1,100 members) from its present church on East Harrison Street. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and is currently pastored by Very Rev. Stephen (Steve) Giannini, VF, who also serves Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi Parish in Greenwood. Father Anthony Armbruster joined as Parochial Vicar in July 2024, and the parish is supported by two deacons, a music director, and a small staff. Parishioners worship in English at daily and weekend Masses, gather for Scripture study and faith-formation groups, and reach out to neighbors through Helping Hands, St. Vincent de Paul, the Red Barn Food Pantry, and Clarity Pregnancy Services.
- Established
- 1848
- Patron
- St. Martin of Tours
- Rector
- Very Rev. Stephen (Steve) Giannini, VF
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Martin of Tours welcomes visiting Catholics and newcomers to Morgan County with open arms, and offers a full sacramental and devotional life rooted in 175 years of Catholic tradition. The parish combines classic devotions like monthly Adoration & Benediction, weekday Mass, regular Confession, Corpus Christi Eucharistic processions, and Holy Hours for Vocations with active ministries such as OCIA, Religious Education for pre-K through 8th grade, a Monday-evening Bible Study, a Ladies' Faith Group, an Altar Society, a Knights of Columbus Council #6273, a Helping Hands outreach, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and partnerships with the Red Barn Food Pantry and Clarity Pregnancy Services.
Mass times at St. Martin of Tours
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00–3:30 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- 1st & 3rd Monday of each month at 12:00 noon (Adoration & Benediction; check parish calendar for holiday changes)
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Martin of Tours Parish exists to joyfully proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of southern Morgan County through a mission of Mercy, Hope, and Salvation. The parish describes itself as a welcoming community where visiting Catholics and new neighbors are invited to register, find a Catholic home, and grow in faith together.
- Mission: 'We, the members of St. Martin of Tours Parish, Martinsville, Indiana, joyfully proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people in Southern Morgan County by living His mission of Mercy, Hope and Salvation.'
- Member of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis (Parish #095)
- Approximately 431 families / ~1,100 members
- Church capacity: 375
Parish History
The official history dates to October 28, 1848, when Nail and Bridget Mallon deeded an acre of land for a church and cemetery near what are now Catholic Cemetery Road and Low Gap Road. The first log chapel, named St. Columban, served an Irish-immigrant community known as 'Little Ireland' and was pastored in its early years by Rev. Daniel Maloney of Columbus, IN (1848–1855). When the original church deteriorated, a limestone cross was placed on the site in 1936.
- 1848 — Parish established in Little Ireland with first log church (St. Columban)
- 1868 — Parish relocates into Martinsville; second church at Pike & Wayne dedicated December 27, 1868; renamed St. Martin of Tours
- 1888 — Wooden church razed; brick church begun under Father Angelus Bill, O.F.M.; parishioners worship in YMCA Hall during construction
- 1934 — Rev. Urban Sonderman becomes first resident pastor
- 1962 — First Mass in present (third) church celebrated on Christmas Day, on 39 acres purchased on Harrison Street
- 1981 — Sexton Hall built with classrooms and parish hall
- 1999 — Goettemoeller Education Center constructed under Father Mark Gottemoeller
- 2023 — 175th anniversary celebrated with Mass by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's faith-formation ministry, led by Administrator of Religious Education Katie McCarthy, follows the parish's mission to make the development of the Catholic faith a lifelong process. Programs span early childhood through adult years, including sacramental preparation at standard grade levels and a high school program that meets monthly with activities, retreats, and service.
- Religious Education for children in pre-K through 8th grade (Sunday morning)
- High School Religious Education — monthly Sundays 4:00–6:00 PM, with retreats and outings
- Baptism for children before their 7th birthday
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion in 2nd grade
- Confirmation in 8th grade
- New for 2025–2026: 6th–8th graders record service activities in lieu of service hours
- Catechist recruitment for high-school-age and older volunteers
Adult Faith Formation & OCIA
Adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church or deepen their faith have multiple entry points. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) is the formal process for those inquiring into Catholicism and for baptized Christians seeking full communion with the Church; Father Steve personally begins the conversation with each inquirer. A twice-monthly Monday-evening Bible Study explores Sacred Scripture under the leadership of Dr. Jason Winkle, and a Ladies' Faith Group meets monthly to build community through reading, videos, and pilgrimages.
- OCIA — for unbaptized, baptized Protestant, and uncatechized Catholic adults
- Adult Bible Study — first and third Monday, 6:00–7:30 PM, Religious Education Center, led by Dr. Jason Winkle
- Ladies' Faith Group — first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM, coordinated by Chris Urbanowski
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Sacramental preparation follows standard diocesan norms, and Father Steve personally guides those inquiring about Baptism (adult), Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, or Holy Orders. First Reconciliation and First Communion are typically received in 2nd grade, with Confirmation in 8th grade, while children's Baptisms are celebrated before age 7.
- Baptism (children under 7)
- Confirmation (8th grade)
- Eucharist / First Holy Communion (2nd grade)
- Penance / Reconciliation (Saturdays 3:00–3:30 PM or by appointment)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
- Matrimony
Ministries & Parish Groups
A wide range of ministries supports spiritual growth, service, and community life. From prayer-and-discernment groups like Vocations and Bible Study to hands-on service via the Altar Society, Knights of Columbus, and outreach partners, parishioners of every age and season can find a place. The parish actively partners with Bloomington Catholic Charities, the Red Barn Food Pantry, and Clarity Pregnancy Services.
- Vocations Ministry
- Adult Bible Study
- Ladies' Faith Group
- Altar Society
- Knights of Columbus Council #6273
- Helping Hands Ministry
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Music Ministry / Choir (Owen Hartnett, Music Director)
Altar Society
All women of the parish are considered members of the St. Martin of Tours Altar Society. The group meets most months on the second Thursday at 6:30 PM (sometimes via Zoom), with $5 annual dues supporting its ministries. Members care for the altar and sanctuary — laundering linens, polishing vessels, arranging flowers, sewing baptismal bibs for each new baby, and preparing funeral meals in Sexton Hall.
- Meets second Thursday at 6:30 PM
- Cares for altar linens, vestments, and sacred vessels
- Provides fresh altar flowers
- Embroidered baptismal bibs for every baptized baby
- Funeral meals served in Sexton Hall
- Fundraising: Winter Spaghetti Supper; cookie-bakes for Prison Ministry
- Ladies' Lenten Morning Mini-Retreat and Ladies' Spring Celebration – Honoring Mary
- Christmas Giving Tree gift drive for local seniors and families
Outreach & Charity
Charitable outreach is a defining mark of parish life. In 2008, parishioners opened the church as a shelter during devastating summer floods that damaged 1,500 Martinsville homes, and helped rebuild the community in the years that followed. Today, ministries such as Helping Hands, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and parish partnerships continue that tradition of mercy and service.
- Helping Hands Ministry
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Bloomington Catholic Charities partnership
- Red Barn Food Pantry
- Clarity Pregnancy Services
- Funeral meals and parish慰问 to grieving families
- Annual Christmas Giving Tree for local seniors and families
- Prison Ministry support through cookie-bakes
Clergy, Staff & Parish Office
The parish is pastored by Very Rev. Stephen (Steve) Giannini, VF, who also serves as pastor of Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi Parish in Greenwood, IN. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Anthony Armbruster (since July 2024) and Deacons Tim Harte and David Urbanowski. A small but dedicated lay staff handles music, religious education, bookkeeping, and parish office duties. The office is open Monday–Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with a lunch closure each day.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Stephen (Steve) Giannini, VF (since August 2020)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Anthony Armbruster (since July 2024)
- Deacon Tim Harte
- Deacon David Urbanowski
- Music Director: Owen Hartnett, DM
- Administrator of Religious Education: Katie McCarthy
- Parish Secretary: Lynne Kluesner
- Parish Bookkeepers: Ann Rhine and Anna McCarty
Feast of St. Martin of Tours
Every November 11, the parish celebrates its patron — St. Martin of Tours, the Roman soldier who cut his cloak in two to share with a beggar and, after a vision of Christ, gave his life to serving the poor, the sick, and the forgotten. He became a priest and bishop of Tours, France, and is venerated as patron of soldiers, the poor, and of France itself. The feast renews the parish's commitment to mercy and service in the Martinsville community.
- Feast Day: November 11
- St. Martin of Tours — Bishop of Tours, France
- Patron of soldiers, the poor, and France
- Traditional celebration in Tours includes a riderless horse procession and 'Martin's goose' dinner
Contact, Location & Visiting
The parish office, church, and Sexton Hall are located at 1709 E. Harrison Street in Martinsville, Indiana. Visitors, new parishioners, and those inquiring about OCIA or any sacrament are encouraged to call, email, or stop in during office hours. New-parishioner registration forms are available on the parish website and in both church vestibules.
- Address: 1709 E. Harrison Street, Martinsville, IN 46151
- Phone: 765-342-6379
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stmtours.org/
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (closed for lunch)
- Sexton Hall address (parish hall / event space): 1720 E. Harrison St., Martinsville
- New-parishioner registration available on the website and in church vestibules
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Daniel Maloney1848–1855
Helped establish the parish; traveled from Columbus, IN
- Rev. John P. Gillig
Resided in Greensburg, IN; brother Nicholas helped purchase the second church at Pike & Wayne
- Father Angelus Bill, O.F.M.1888
Of Sacred Heart, Indianapolis; directed razing of wood-frame church and cornerstone of new brick church
- Rev. Urban Sonderman1934–1935
First resident pastor of the parish
- Rev. Francis Kull1935–1945
- Rev. Charles Sexton1945–1983
Grew parish from ~60 to 950 members; built present church (first Mass Christmas Day 1962); built Sexton Hall in 1981
- Rev. James Higgins1983–1993
Joined from Bloomington; parish grew to ~1,200 members; died in office Aug. 27, 1993
- Rev. Mark Gottemoeller1993–2005
Built Goettemoeller Education Center in 1999
- Rev. John Hall2005–2016
Served 11 years until June 2016
- Rev. David Marcotte
Associate priest assigned during interim period after Fr. Hall
- Rev. Jegan Peter
Associate priest assigned during interim period after Fr. Hall
- Very Rev. Stephen (Steve) Giannini, VF2020–present
Welcomed August 2020; also pastor of Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi, Greenwood