About St. Mary (Immaculate Conception) · Shoals, Indiana
St. Mary (Immaculate Conception) is a historic Roman Catholic worship site in Shoals, Indiana, in Martin County. Originally established in 1869 as an independent parish in the Diocese of Indianapolis (later Evansville), St. Mary's has served the Catholic families of Shoals and the surrounding countryside for more than 150 years. On July 1, 2014 it joined with St. John the Evangelist in Loogootee, St. Joseph in Bramble, and St. Martin in Whitfield (plus the St. Mary Bell Tower chapel in Barr Township) to form today's merged St. John the Evangelist Parish, with St. Mary in Shoals continuing as a worship site for Sunday and weekday Mass.
- Established
- 1869
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (under the title of the Immaculate Conception)
- Rector
- Very Rev. J. Kenneth Walker, MCL, JCL
- Diocese
- Diocese of Evansville
Why belong here
St. Mary (Immaculate Conception) in Shoals is a small but living Catholic community rooted in 150+ years of faith in Martin County, Indiana. As a worship site of today's merged St. John the Evangelist Parish, it offers weekly Sunday Mass, weekday Mass, the sacraments, faith formation for children and youth, RCIA, outreach through Paula Ringwald's parish ministry, and music ministry under Deacon William Consley — all under the pastoral care of Father Kenneth Walker and supported by a regional Catholic family of four worship sites in Loogootee, Bramble, Whitfield, and Shoals. Visitors are welcomed into a historic brick church lovingly restored in 1999, sitting in a tight-knit small-town setting where generations of the same families have worshipped since the O & M Railroad brought the first Catholic settlers in the 1850s.
Mass times at St. Mary (Immaculate Conception)
Weekly Mass schedule
Parish Identity & Patron
The parish takes its formal name from the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception, with the patronal feast observed on December 8. Although Father Louis Gueguen, who oversaw the 1869 construction, originally named the building after his own patron saint, St. Louis, the community has long been known as the Church of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. The faithful are listed in the Diocese of Evansville yearbook under the entry 'St. John Parish — St. Mary Church, Shoals,' reflecting today's merged-parish reality.
- Patron: Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title Immaculate Conception
- Feast Day: December 8
- Original construction name: St. Louis (per Father Gueguen's choice)
- Diocese listing: St. John Parish — St. Mary Church, Shoals
Founding & 19th-Century History
Catholic life in Shoals began in 1853 when Clement J. Horsey deeded ten lots to Bishop St. Palais of the Diocese of Indianapolis. The brick church measuring 60 by 30 feet with a stone foundation was erected in 1869 under Father Louis Gueguen's direction, with Thomas Hart, Mr. Kimmeling and stone mason Martin Mohr among the founding trustees. The parish served mission stations at Salem and Mitchell in the late 1800s; the Salem mission was closed and its property sold in 1887. Father Michael Quinlan was the first resident pastor (1877–1882) and added the frame sacristy to the building.
- 1853 — Catholic mission established under Bishop St. Palais
- 1867 — Three-acre Catholic cemetery established northeast of town
- 1869 — Brick church built under Father Louis Gueguen
- 1877 — Rev. Michael Quinlan named first resident pastor
- 1887 — Salem mission closed and property sold
2014 Merger into St. John the Evangelist Parish
On July 1, 2014 St. Mary joined with St. John the Evangelist in Loogootee, St. Joseph in Bramble, St. Martin in Whitfield, and the St. Mary (Assumption) Bell Tower chapel in Barr Township to form today's merged St. John the Evangelist Parish. The new parish is in the North Deanery of the Diocese of Evansville and is pastored by Very Reverend J. Kenneth Walker, MCL, JCL, assisted by Deacon William R. Consley. Parish offices and the canonical mailing address for St. Mary's records now sit at 408 Church Street, Loogootee, IN 47553. St. Mary Church in Shoals continues as a living worship site for the Shoals-area faithful.
- Merged July 1, 2014 with Loogootee, Bramble and Whitfield parishes
- Mailing address: c/o St. John Parish, 408 Church Street, Loogootee, IN 47553
- Deanery: North Deanery, Diocese of Evansville
- Status: active worship site of St. John the Evangelist Parish
Parish Staff & Clergy
The St. John Parish staff serves all four worship sites including St. Mary's. Father Walker is assisted by Deacon William R. Consley (who directs homebound ministry, liturgy, and music ministry). The staff also includes a Business Manager, an Administrative Assistant to the Pastor, an Assistant to the Pastor for Liturgical Ministries, an Accountant, a Payroll Coordinator, a Facilities team, an RCIA Director, and a Catechetical & Youth Director.
- Pastor: Very Rev. J. Kenneth Walker, MCL, JCL
- Deacon: William R. Consley
- Administrative Assistant to the Pastor: Adam Strange
- Business Manager: Vicki Strange
- Assistant to the Pastor for Liturgical Ministries: Mark Potts
- RCIA Director: Peter McDowell
- Music Ministry & Parish Outreach: Paula Ringwald
- Choir Directors: Connie McAtee, Lynn Gee
- Catechetical & Youth Director: Ashton Kahle / Jackie Esch
- Facilities: Tom McAtee & Cam Ackerman
- Cemetery contact (St. Mary – Barr Township): Richard Hopkins
Sacraments & Devotions
Sacramental preparation and celebration are coordinated through St. John Parish. Confessions are heard at St. John, Loogootee (Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM) and Eucharistic Adoration is offered there on Thursdays from 9 AM to 6 PM. Baptisms, Confirmation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick are arranged through the parish office. Daily Mass and Rosary are also livestreamed on the parish Facebook page for those unable to attend in person.
- Reconciliation: Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM at St. John, Loogootee
- Eucharistic Adoration: Thursday 9 AM–6 PM at St. John, Loogootee
- Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing: arranged through parish office
- Daily Mass and Rosary livestreamed on Facebook
Faith Formation, Youth & RCIA
Faith formation classes for school-age children and youth are coordinated across the merged parish, with classes traditionally meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays at the parish center. The parish's catechetical and youth director oversees recruitment of teachers and helpers each summer for the upcoming year. RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those seeking to enter the Church is led by Peter McDowell, with inquiries routed through the parish office.
- Faith Formation for children and youth (grades 1–12)
- RCIA for adults (Peter McDowell, Director)
- Vacation Bible School offered in summers
- Senior Mass and graduation recognition each spring
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music ministry for the parish family is led by Deacon William R. Consley, with Connie McAtee and Lynn Gee serving as choir directors and Lynn Gee as organist. Liturgical schedules — including lectors, Eucharistic ministers, servers, and gift-bearers — are coordinated by Mark Potts, Assistant to the Pastor for Liturgical Ministries. Servers are trained for any student entering the 5th grade or older.
- Music Ministry: Deacon William R. Consley
- Choir Directors: Connie McAtee, Lynn Gee
- Organist: Lynn Gee
- Liturgical Schedules: Mark Potts
- Altar Server training offered annually
Parish Outreach & Community Life
Parish outreach to the homebound, sick, and those in need is led by Paula Ringwald, who also coordinates music ministry. The parish regularly supports missions such as the Comboni Missionaries, hosts fellowship events including carry-in dinners (such as the 130th anniversary Open House), participates in the annual Martin County Fair Gospel Sing, and gathers for Father Walker's ordination anniversaries and the Senior Recognition Mass each spring.
- Outreach: Paula Ringwald
- Carry-in dinners and parish fellowship
- Annual Martin County Fair Gospel Sing participation
- Senior Recognition Mass for graduates
- Father Walker's ordination anniversary celebrated each year
Buildings, Cemetery & Facilities
The historic brick church (1869, restored 1999) and the 1988 parish hall are the parish's main facilities. A three-acre Catholic cemetery was established northeast of Shoals on May 20, 1867, adjoining the town cemetery; the St. Mary (Assumption) Bell Tower chapel and cemetery in Barr Township (also part of the merged parish) is overseen by Richard Hopkins. The parish hall serves as the gathering space for meals, faith formation, fellowship, and community events.
- Historic brick church (1869, restored 1999)
- Parish hall (built 1988, dedicated 1989)
- Catholic cemetery (est. 1867) northeast of Shoals
- St. Mary (Assumption) Bell Tower chapel and cemetery — Barr Township
Visiting & Contact
Visitors are warmly welcomed to St. Mary (Immaculate Conception) at 128 High Street, Shoals, IN 47581. Correspondence and inquiries are handled through St. John Parish, 408 Church Street, Loogootee, IN 47553. The parish office can be reached at (812) 295-2225, with a direct line of (812) 247-3061 sometimes listed for the Shoals site. The parish publishes a weekly bulletin with the most up-to-date Mass and ministry schedule.
- Worship site address: 128 High Street, Shoals, IN 47581
- Parish office: 408 Church Street, Loogootee, IN 47553
- Parish office phone: (812) 295-2225
- Direct phone (some listings): (812) 247-3061
- Parish website: www.stjohnloogootee.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael Quinlan1877–1882
First resident pastor of St. Mary's; added the frame sacristy to the church.
- Rev. Byrne1888–1894
Listed as resident pastor.
- Rev. L. Fichter1894–1897
Resident pastor.
- Rev. Francis W. Wolf1897–1900
Resident pastor.
- Rev. W.J. Cronin1900
Served approximately 9 months.
- Rev. Theodore J. Mattingly1900–1903
Resident pastor.
- Rev. August Sprigler1903–1907
Final resident pastor before Shoals returned to mission status.
- Rev. Edwin Spalding1950–1958
Resident pastor when Shoals was reattached after mission years.
- Rev. Richard L. Hoffman1958–1963
Resident pastor.
- Rev. James P. Hannigan1963–1969
Resident pastor.
- Rev. Albertus P. Lutterbach1969–1975
Resident pastor.
- Rev. Kenneth R. Betz1975–1982
Resident pastor; left September 2, 1982.
- Msgr. Carl A. Shetler1983–1996
Administrator of St. Mary's while pastor of St. Martin's, Whitfield.
- Rev. Gregory Spencer1996–1997
Pastor; departed June 1997.
- Rev. Leo C. Kiesel1997–2014
Temporary administrator June 28, 1997; pastor from November 24, 1997; also continued as pastor of St. John, Loogootee, where he resided.