About St. Meinrad · Saint Meinrad, Indiana
St. Meinrad Catholic Church is a small Benedictine-rooted parish in the village of Saint Meinrad, Spencer County, Indiana, founded on January 21, 1861 — the feast day of its patron, St. Meinrad. It is one of the two parishes in a 'Parish Family' with nearby Historic St. Boniface Catholic Church in Fulda, together serving roughly 224 registered families from the rolling hills of southern Indiana. The parish sits in the long shadow of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, whose Swiss-German Benedictine monks established both the monastery in 1854 and the town that grew up around it. Today the parish is pastored by Rev. Paul Nord, OSB, with Deacon Mike Fish assisting, and its life centers on the Eucharist, the sacraments, faith formation for all ages, and the beloved annual Fall Picnic that draws former parishioners home.
- Established
- 1861
- Patron
- St. Meinrad
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Nord, OSB
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Meinrad Catholic Church offers the warmth of a small Benedictine-rooted parish in the hills of southern Indiana, where the Eucharist is celebrated multiple times each week in a beautiful sandstone church built from the monastery's own quarry. With about 224 registered families and a church capacity of 430, it is large enough to offer lifelong faith formation, RCIA, a CYO youth group for grades 7–12, the seven sacraments, and a dedicated parish cemetery — yet small enough that people genuinely know one another. The annual Fall Picnic, held every third Sunday in September on the church grounds, has been the parish's signature gathering since 2000, drawing back former parishioners for fried chicken, famous soup, live music, and a country store. If you value a parish steeped in German-Catholic heritage, monastic tradition, and a clear commitment to 'keep our eyes fixed on Jesus' (Hebrews 12:2), St. Meinrad is a place to call home.
Mass times at St. Meinrad
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (St. Meinrad Catholic Church)
- Sunday 7:45 AM – 8:15 AM (St. Meinrad Catholic Church)
Parish History & Heritage
St. Meinrad Catholic Church was founded on January 21, 1861, by Benedictine monks from the Swiss Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln who had established Saint Meinrad Archabbey seven years earlier in response to Father Joseph Kundek's call for German-speaking clergy in southern Indiana. The parish grew alongside the monastery, seminary, and town, with parish children educated in a Benedictine-run school from 1861 onward. The parish worshipped with the monks in the Archabbey Church from 1907 until 1960, when Archbishop Paul Schulte dedicated the present sandstone parish church built from the monastery's own quarry. In 2000 the parish launched its now-iconic Fall Picnic as a reunion for those who once called St. Meinrad home, and in 2011 it celebrated its 150th anniversary.
- Founded January 21, 1861 — feast of St. Meinrad, 1,000th anniversary of his death
- Eight days later (Jan 29, 1861), the town of St. Meinrad was formally established
- Parish grade school opened 1861; new school building completed 1947; closed 1993
- New parish church dedicated March 27, 1960 by Archbishop Paul Schulte
- 150th anniversary celebrated in 2011
- Fall Picnic tradition begun in 2000
Architecture & Sacred Art
The 1960 parish church is built of sandstone quarried at the monastery and features an in-floor heating system under its terrazzo floor. The sanctuary is anchored by a stone Altar of Sacrifice and Ambo, with the original High Altar and Tabernacle preserved behind them. The Tabernacle, crafted by Elmer 'Billy' Fischer, is copper, with moving parts repurposed from an old parish clock; its accompanying sanctuary wall ornaments depict the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity.
- Stained glass windows depicting the Beatitudes (Matthew 5)
- Stations of the Cross designed by Father Donald Walpole, OSB, gifted in 2001 from a closed Dakotas mission
- Rear choir loft with large stained glass window by Alvin C. Ruxer (where a pipe organ was originally planned)
- Statue of Our Lady of Einsiedeln with the Child Jesus (inherited by the parish in 1954)
- Original parish church was the monks' log cabin; later a wooden church, then the shared Archabbey Church from 1907 to 1960
Clergy, Staff & Leadership
The parish is currently pastored by Rev. Paul Nord, OSB, a Benedictine priest of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, assisted by Deacon Mike Fish. The Archdiocese of Indianapolis lists 224 registered families with a church capacity of 430. Day-to-day parish life is supported by an active pastoral council and commissions for faith formation, facilities, cemetery care, and communications.
- Pastor: Rev. Paul Nord, OSB
- Deacon: Mike Fish
- Pastoral Council Chair: Amy Dilger
- Evangelization Faith Formation: Jessica (Jess) Fischer
- Facility and Safety: George Schaefer
- Cemetery Commission Chair: Brian Greulich
- Communications: Mary Jeanne Schumacher
- Liturgical Music Coordinator: Vacant
- Financial Coordinator and Cemeteries: Vacant
- Parish Secretary: Vacant
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments instituted by Christ: the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), the Sacraments of Healing (Penance, Anointing of the Sick), and the Sacraments at the Service of Communion (Marriage, Holy Orders). Parents may register infants and children for Baptism; older youth and adults typically enter the faith through OCIA (RCIA).
- Baptism for Infants and Children
- Baptism for Youth and Adults (via OCIA)
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (First Communion preparation)
- Confession (Reconciliation)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage preparation
- Holy Orders discernment
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA / RCIA)
After the Second Vatican Council, the Church restored the Catechumenate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults — now often called OCIA. St. Meinrad welcomes unbaptized adults as catechumens and also baptized Christians from other denominations seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. The process forms participants in the mystery of salvation, the practice of faith, hope, and love, and culminates in the Easter Vigil celebration of Confirmation and the Eucharist.
- Catechumen formation
- Reception into full communion for already-baptized Christians
- Sacrament of Penance and Profession of Faith before Confirmation and Eucharist
Faith Formation
The Faith Formation Commission supports the pastor, pastoral council, and coordinators in setting goals for lifelong, intergenerational, whole-community catechesis. Programs aim at growth in knowledge of faith, liturgical life, moral formation, prayer, community belonging, and missionary spirit — faithful to Catholic tradition and responsive to the lived experience of the local church. The Commission meets on the first Tuesday of January, March, June, and August.
- Family Faith Formation (F3) programs and activities
- Parish-and-home preparation based on the liturgical year
- Evangelization and Discipleship coordination by Jess Fischer
Youth Ministry — CYO (Grades 7–12)
The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) deepens relationships with Jesus Christ and one another through a goal-driven, ministry-focused model — emphasizing quality social, educational, and recreational programs rather than a program-driven approach. High school youth from both St. Boniface and St. Meinrad parishes gather regularly on Sundays during the year, with other activities added as needed.
- Regular Sunday gatherings during the program year
- Small-group facilitators and volunteer opportunities
- Off-campus activities and travel as scheduled
Annual Fall Picnic
Begun in 2000, the Fall Picnic is one of the parish's largest annual events, traditionally held on the third Sunday in September on the church grounds. Boy Scout Troop 102 opens the day with the presentation of colors and an honor guard, followed by an opening prayer and a moment of silence for those on the picnic honor roll. The celebration features live music (typically The Gatwoods), a Family Activity Center with games for all ages, an appearance by Dr. Popper (Dr. Popper Entertainment of Owensboro, KY), fried chicken dinners, the parish's famous soup (by the bowl or gallon), a food court with hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and German tenderloin sandwiches, a country store with local crafts, baked goods, preserves, jams, and canned items, and tours of the church led by volunteer guides. Raffle drawings close the day at 1:30 p.m.
- Tradition since 2000 — major reunion for former parishioners
- Famous soup available by pre-order ($20/gallon) through early September
- Shuttle service from all parking areas and a level-ground drop-off/pickup zone
- Sponsorship levels (Patron, Friend, Investor) with picnic-day placard recognition
- Mobile QR-code purchasing and cash accepted at all stands
St. Meinrad Cemetery & The 1861 Society
St. Meinrad Cemetery, located on High Street in Saint Meinrad, is open daily from dawn to dusk. A three-year parish project produced a searchable online cemetery directory — accessible at smcatholic.church/1861 — allowing families to locate burial sites, view headstone photos, and see an aerial map of the grounds. A Cemetery Commission oversees perpetual care, and The 1861 Society honors donors who support the cemetery endowment.
- Searchable online directory with headstone photos and aerial map
- Membership via a will remembrance, a one-time gift of $1,000+, or monthly $18.61 for five years
- Living and deceased members remembered at Mass annually near the patronal feast and on Christmas/Easter flower and picnic honor rolls
Parish Office, Contact & Emergency Line
The Parish Office is located at 19630 N. 4th Street, Saint Meinrad, IN (mailing P.O. Box 8, Saint Meinrad, IN 47577-0008) and is open Monday–Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed on Holy Days and observed holidays). All deliveries use the North Door (carport entrance). For sacramental emergencies (severe illness or death) outside office hours, callers are directed to the Saint Meinrad Archabbey switchboard at 812-357-6611.
- Phone: 812-357-5533
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Wednesday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
- After-hours drop box at the carport entrance
The Parish Family: St. Boniface & St. Meinrad Together
St. Meinrad Catholic Church shares clergy, staff, and many programs with Historic St. Boniface Catholic Church in nearby Fulda (founded 1847 by Father Joseph Kundek). The two parishes operate a shared website (sbcatholic.church) and a unified weekly schedule that rotates Mass and confession between St. Meinrad, St. Boniface, the Archabbey, and the Monte Cassino Shrine. Together they serve Spencer County in the rolling hills of southern Indiana.
- Sister parish: Historic St. Boniface Catholic Church, Fulda (founded 1847)
- Shared Mission: 'To nurture an intentional faith-filled Catholic Community that inspires and empowers all people to follow Jesus Christ.'
- Shared weekly schedule across St. Meinrad, St. Boniface, the Archabbey, and Monte Cassino Shrine
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Raban Hathorn, OSB1955 (capital campaign)
Launched the capital campaign for the new parish church in 1955.
- Father Peter Behrman, OSB1959
Broke ground for the new parish church in 1959.
- Father Donald Walpole, OSB
Monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey who designed the Stations of the Cross given to the parish in 2001.