About St. Michael [North Clark County Catholic] · Charlestown, Indiana
St. Michael Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Charlestown, Indiana, founded in 1860 on the eve of the Civil War by Father James Andrew Michael. It is part of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis (designated Parish #058) and serves 264 registered families, with a church seating capacity of 350. The parish worships in both English and Spanish, runs a Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) for K-12 youth, and operates the St. Michael Early Childhood Center on the same campus. Its history is closely tied to the development of nearby St. Francis Xavier Church in Henryville, with which it shares a 'North Clark County Catholic' pastoral cluster.
- Established
- 1860
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Jeyaseelan Sengolraj (Father Jey), Administrator
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis (Parish #058)
Why belong here
St. Michael's is a small, multigenerational parish where every registered family is invited to meet the pastor in person before joining. The parish offers the full sacramental life in two languages (English and Spanish), with daily opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and the First Sunday of the month, plus Reconciliation twice weekly. Families with children can grow together through the on-site Early Childhood Center, the K–12 Parish Religious Education Program, and Confirmation preparation that culminates each October with Archbishop Thompson and the New Albany Deanery. Newcomers say they quickly feel at home in this 264-family faith community rooted in Charlestown since 1860.
Mass times at St. Michael [North Clark County Catholic]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 5:00–5:30 pm
- Saturday: 3:00–4:00 pm
- By appointment (call parish office, 812-256-3200)
Adoration times
- Wednesdays: 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
- Fridays: 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm
- Saturdays: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
- First Sunday: 10:30–11:00 am and 12:00–12:30 pm
Parish History & Heritage
St. Michael Catholic Church in Charlestown, Indiana traces its origins to the fall of 1860, when Father James Andrew Michael founded a log mission church three miles north of town. Land was donated by the Gellhaus brothers and Irish railroad laborers did much of the building. After the Civil War the mission was served from neighboring parishes and visited only monthly; in 1899 the parish relocated into Charlestown itself on Morrow Street. The parish has moved through five church buildings (log, frame, 1928 brick, the 1953 school cafeteria, and the present church dedicated December 12, 1982 by Archbishop Edward T. O'Meara). Major milestones include the 1943 establishment as a distinct parish during the WWII Army Ammunition Plant boom, the 1953 opening of the school staffed by the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, the 125th Anniversary in 1985, and the 150th Anniversary on September 12, 2010.
- Founded fall 1860 by Father James Andrew Michael
- Named for its founder and for St. Michael the Archangel (patron of the Irish laborers)
- Five church buildings since 1860; current church dedicated December 12, 1982
- 150th Anniversary celebrated September 12, 2010
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is administered by Rev. Jeyaseelan Sengolraj ('Father Jey'). Office and ministry staff include the Business Manager / Parish Secretary, Faith Formation and Youth Ministry Coordinator, Music Coordinator, Hispanic Ministries Coordinator, Pre-School/Childcare Director, and parish office volunteers. New families are asked to schedule an in-person meeting with Father Jey before registering.
- Administrator: Rev. Jeyaseelan Sengolraj (Father Jey)
- Business Manager / Parish Secretary: Cherie Kopp ([email protected])
- Coordinator of Faith Formation & Youth Ministry: Nick Lewis ([email protected])
- Coordinator of Music Ministry: Ronda Jackson
- Hispanic Ministries Coordinator: Luz Elena Niño-Melchor (cell 502-294-5976)
- Pre-School / Childcare Director: Rita Poff ([email protected])
- Parish Office Volunteer: Jessica Sarver
Faith Formation & Religious Education (PREP)
The Parish Religious Education Program (PREP), organized by Nick Lewis (Coordinator of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry), serves children from Kindergarten through Grade 12. Curriculum is built around the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Creed, Sacraments, Christian Living, and Prayer. Parents are expected to be active partners in their child's formation. PREP includes a Grade 1 Intro to Catechism, Grade 2 First Communion (with required parent attendance), Grade 3-4 curriculum using 'Word of Life', and a Grades 5-6 Advanced Catechism using 'Connect: Bringing Faith to Life' and 'God's Plan in Scripture'.
- Grade 1 (Intro to Catechism) — Catechist: Ava Lathem; Curriculum: Word of Life
- Grade 2 (First Communion) — parent and child attend together
- Grades 3–4 — Catechist: Jennie Lathem; Curriculum: Renewed & Received
- Grades 5–6 (Advanced Catechism) — Catechist: Angel Leiva; Curriculum: Connect / God's Plan in Scripture
- Grade 7+ (Confirmation prep) — formation begins each January
- Class days: Sundays, 9:30–10:30 am; first day of 2026/27 classes: September 13, 2026
Confirmation & Youth Sacraments
Youth Confirmation is open to baptized youth in Grade 7 or higher who are active members of St. Michael or St. Francis Xavier parishes. Formation runs from January of their 7th-grade year through October of the following year and is divided into three parts: Salvation History & the Creed (Jan–May), summer service (June–July), and Sacraments/Moral Life/Prayer (Aug–Oct). The Sacrament is ordinarily conferred by Archbishop Thompson at the New Albany Deanery celebration in October.
- Eligibility: active parish member 3+ months, baptized, Grade 7+, regular Mass attendance
- Requirements include sponsor, saint selection, retreat, service hours, and a letter to Archbishop Thompson
- 2026 Confirmation class is not being offered; 2027 registration opens in September 2026
- Coordinator: Nick Lewis ([email protected])
Youth Group (Catalyst)
Middle and high school students (Grades 6–12) gather for 'Catalyst' youth group 2–3 Sundays a month from 5:00–6:30 pm. The group combines faith formation, service opportunities, and social activities throughout the year. Leadership is provided by volunteers.
- Meets Sundays, 5:00–6:30 pm
- Open to Grades 6–12
- Service projects and social activities throughout the year
Hispanic Ministry (Misa en Español)
The parish celebrates a weekly Mass in Spanish every Sunday at 12:30 pm ('Domingo | 12:30 pm español'). Hispanic Ministry coordination is provided by Luz Elena Niño-Melchor, who can be reached at 502-294-5976. Registration forms and parish communications are available in both languages.
- Sunday Spanish Mass at 12:30 pm
- Coordinator: Luz Elena Niño-Melchor (502-294-5976)
St. Michael Early Childhood Center
Located at 102 St. Michael Drive (next to the church), the St. Michael Early Childhood Center is a not-for-profit agency that has operated for over 25 years, offering child care programs for children from Toddlers through 11 years old. Hours are Monday through Friday 6:00 am – 5:30 pm. Director Rita Poff leads a relationship-based, play-centered curriculum aligned with Indiana Department of Education standards for accreditation, using an Emergent Curriculum and Project Approach to learning. Financial assistance may be available through River Valley Resources (812-949-4381).
- Director: Rita Poff — [email protected] — (812) 256-3503
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 6:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Preschool (age 3 by Aug 1) — Tues/Wed/Thurs
- Pre-Kindergarten (age 4 by Aug 1) — Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs
- Childcare for toddlers through age 11
- Founded as the parish school (blessed 1952 by Archbishop Schulte; opened February 11, 1953 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg)
Music Ministry
Liturgical music at weekend Masses (and special celebrations) is coordinated by Ronda Jackson, Music Coordinator. The Music Ministry supports English and Spanish liturgies.
- Coordinator: Ronda Jackson
- Supports bilingual liturgy
Joining the Parish
Registration forms are available in the back of church or at the Parish Office (the little white house next to the back playground) and can be downloaded from the parish website. New families are asked to meet in person with Father Jey before registering — call 812-256-3200 or email [email protected] to schedule.
- Form available in church and at the Parish Office
- Online registration form downloadable from parish website
- Required meeting with Father Jey prior to registration
Visiting & Contact
Parish Office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm at 101 St. Michaels Drive, Charlestown, IN 47111. For any pastoral emergency, call Cherie Kopp at 502-403-9755; non-emergency voicemail is checked on the next business day at 812-256-3200. The parish is part of the 'North Clark County Catholic' cluster with sister parish St. Francis Xavier, Henryville.
- Parish Office hours: T/W/Th, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Pastoral emergency line: 502-403-9755
- Sister parish: St. Francis Xavier, Henryville
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James Andrew Michael1860–1864
Founder; built the first log church.
- Father Herman Panzer1865–1873
Succeeded Father Michael at the mission.
- Father Joseph Dickman1872–1886
Continued as mission priest.
- Father John Henry Hillebrandto ~1891
Charged with care of St. Michael and Lexington from Henryville.
- Father Frank A. Roellfrom 1891
Assistant at St. Mary's New Albany with care of St. Michael's.
- Father James Sheafrom 1899
Built the frame church on Morrow Street in Charlestown.
- Monsignor William A. Jochum1928
Pastor of St. Mary's New Albany who built the brick Morrow Street church after the 1928 fire.
- Father Raymond George Seibert1943–1948
First administrator when mission became a distinct parish.
- Father Carl Joseph Sahm1948–
Succeeded Father Seibert due to illness; purchased rectory.
- Father Joseph P. Casey1950–
Began the new school.
- Father Anthony Hillmanearly 1950s
Administrator during Father Casey's military recall; completed the school.
- Father Henry P. Brown1952–
First associate pastor of St. Michael Church.
- Father Morand Widolff1955–1969
- Father John H. Luerman1969–1978
Built the present rectory; sold the old Morrow Street church in the 1970s.
- Father Patrick Commons1978–1980
- Father Paul Evard1980–1981
- Father-Archabbot Bonaventure Knaebel, O.S.B.1981–1985
- Father Gerald Renn1985–1990
- Father Steve Donahue1991–2003
- Father Steven Schaftlein2004–
- Father Henry Tullythrough 2020
- Father Adam Ahern2020–(predecessor to current administrator)
- Rev. Jeyaseelan Sengolrajcurrent (Administrator)
Current administrator; known as 'Father Jey'.