About St. Mary · Frankfort, Indiana
St. Mary Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 600 St. Mary's Avenue in Frankfort, Indiana, and belongs to the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana. The parish is part of a pastorate with St. Joseph in Lebanon. It serves both an English-speaking and a Spanish-speaking Catholic community, offering daily Mass in English and Spanish along with weekend Masses in both languages. Founded in the 1870s, St. Mary has been a worshiping presence in Clinton County for nearly 150 years and today remains a vibrant parish engaged in faith formation, youth ministry, sacramental preparation, and outreach.
- Established
- 1875
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Christopher T. Miller
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana
Why belong here
St. Mary's offers a bilingual Catholic community in the heart of Frankfort, with Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish every day of the week, weekly Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, and a long tradition of devotion to vocations and religious life. Families can take advantage of year-round Faith Formation for grades K-9, Vacation Bible School, a Quinceañera retreat, and a Youth Ministry active in the National Catholic Youth Conference. With nearly 150 years of history, a dedicated pastorate partner in St. Joseph of Lebanon, and an active schedule of devotions including First Friday Mass and Holy Hours, the parish welcomes anyone seeking a faithful, multigenerational Catholic home in Clinton County.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 6:30 PM
- Saturday 5:00 PM (or by appointment)
- Saturday 2:30 PM (or by appointment)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- 1st Friday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Last Friday of the Month — Spanish Holy Hour 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Parish History
Catholic life in Frankfort began in 1859 with visiting missionaries from Crawfordsville and Delphi. Frankfort became a regular mission in 1875 under Father Hordeman from Kokomo, and over the next 150 years the parish grew through mission status, Franciscan pastoral care, and a long line of resident pastors. The current church building was dedicated in 1968 as the Immaculate Conception, and the parish has been a bilingual faith community since 1996 when Spanish Mass was introduced.
- 1859: Visiting priests from Crawfordsville and Delphi begin ministering
- 1875: Frankfort becomes a regular mission with monthly Mass
- 1892: Father John Blum becomes first resident pastor
- 1896: New church built at Second and Walnut Streets
- 1949-1951: New parochial school staffed by Sisters of St. Joseph
- 1968: Present church dedicated as Immaculate Conception
- 2000: 125th anniversary celebrated
- 2001: Bishop Higi dedicates John Paul II Education Center
- 2007: Father Christopher Miller appointed pastor
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish provides religious education for children in grades K through 9, with homework resources and e-book downloads available for grades K-5. Spanish families also have access to Spanish FORMED content, making faith formation accessible to the parish's bilingual community.
- Grades K-9 Religious Education
- Religious Ed homework for Grades K-2
- Religious Ed homework for Grades 3-5
- E-book downloads available
- Spanish FORMED resources
Youth Ministry
St. Mary's has an active Youth Ministry that prepares teenagers for the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), a three-day experience of prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis, and service. The parish is planning to attend NCYC in November 18-20, 2027, at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. A Quinceañera Retreat (Quince Años Retiro) is also offered for Hispanic youth.
- NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference) participation
- NCYC 2027 planned for Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium
- Quince Años Retiro (Quinceañera Retreat)
- Fundraisers available to offset costs
Vacation Bible School
Each summer, St. Mary hosts Vacation Bible School for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Modeled as a Catholic summer camp with interactive daily stations, VBS themes each day are built around one of the seven sacraments. The 2024 session ran July 24-27 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the parish. Parents and parishioners are encouraged to volunteer as group leaders, snack preparers, station leaders, or for clean-up.
- Open to children K-5th grade
- Daily stations: Faith, Craft, Snack, and Games
- Each day themed on one of the seven sacraments
- Volunteer opportunities for parishioners
- Safe & Sacred certification required for volunteers
Clergy, Staff and Pastoral Leadership
St. Mary's is pastored by Father Christopher T. Miller, who was appointed in July 2007. Rev. Paul W. Cochran is also associated with the parish. Karen Haynes serves as the parish secretary. The parish is part of a pastorate with St. Joseph Church in Lebanon and falls under the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana.
- Rev. Christopher T. Miller — Pastor (since July 2007)
- Rev. Paul W. Cochran — Clergy
- Karen Haynes — Secretary
- Pastorate partner: St. Joseph, Lebanon
- Diocese: Lafayette in Indiana
Pastorate and Diocese
St. Mary in Frankfort is partnered with St. Joseph in Lebanon as a single pastorate under the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana. The parish shares pastoral resources and certain ministries with its sister parish in Lebanon.
- Pastorate: St. Mary (Frankfort) and St. Joseph (Lebanon)
- Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana
- Bishop's seat: Lafayette, IN
Visit and Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at St. Mary. Mass, Confession, Adoration, and parish office hours can be confirmed by calling the parish office. Directions are simple: from the Frankfort Courthouse, take the first right onto St. Mary's Avenue; the church will be on the right.
- Address: 600 St. Mary's Avenue, Frankfort, IN 46041
- Phone: (765) 654-5796
- From Frankfort Courthouse: right onto St Marys Ave; destination on right
- Official Facebook page maintained for updates
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Hordeman1874-1888
Came from Kokomo to serve Frankfort; in 1875 the mission became regular with monthly Mass.
- Franciscan Fathers of Lafayette1888-1892
Served St. Mary's as a mission.
- Father John Blum1892-1898
First resident pastor; built a new church at Second and Walnut Streets in 1896.
- Father P.J. O'Reilly1898 (September)
Appointed resident pastor; new rectory built at 401 W. Walnut Street.
- Father F.J. Jansen1898-1906
Replaced Fr. O'Reilly nine months after his appointment.
- Monsignor W.B. Hordeman1906-1948
Named Monsignor in 1911; Community House at 450 W. Clinton served as church during 1944-1948 fire repairs.
- Father Leo Scheetz1949-1961
New parochial school completed September 1951, staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph.
- Father Charles Muller1961-1974
Property purchased at 1801 E. Wabash; present church and rectory dedicated September 1968 as Immaculate Conception. Died March 14, 1974.
- Father Thomas Zimmer1974-1984
Muller Hall built in 1976.
- Father Joseph Ruffing1984-1995
New classrooms added to Muller Hall.
- Father Gerald Borawski1995-2007
Spanish Mass began twice monthly in 1996; 125th anniversary in 2000; John Paul II Education Center dedicated by Bishop Higi in 2001; weekly Spanish Mass in 2001.
- Father Christopher Miller2007-present
Appointed pastor in July 2007.