About St. Patrick · Terre Haute, Indiana
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Terre Haute, Indiana, founded in 1881 as the city's fourth Catholic parish. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis (Parish #159) and is currently served by priests of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus (RCJ). The parish campus, located at 1807 Poplar Street, anchors the spiritual life of about 738 registered families and includes a K-8 Catholic school, a perpetual-adoration Divine Mercy Chapel, and a well-known community soup kitchen.
- Established
- 1881
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Elmer Dula, RCJ (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Patrick's is a long-established Wabash Valley parish with deep roots (since 1881), a parish school, daily and weekend Mass, a perpetual-adoration Divine Mercy Chapel open 9 a.m.–9 p.m. seven days a week, and a community soup kitchen that serves the wider Terre Haute area. Active faith formation runs from kindergarten through high school (including Confirmation prep and the TH Catholic Teen Connection), and the parish welcomes newcomers, inquirers, returning Catholics, and adults preparing for the sacraments through OCIA.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 5:00–6:00 p.m.
- Saturday: after the 6 p.m. Vigil Mass
- Sunday: 8:00–8:30 a.m.
Adoration times
- Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., seven days a week
- Adoration Service with Exposition and Benediction: Wednesdays, 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Parish Identity & History
St. Patrick Catholic Church in Terre Haute traces its roots to 1881, when Bishop Francis Silas Chatard of Indianapolis established it as the city's fourth Catholic parish. The original Gothic church, designed by Josse A. Vrydagh and located at 13th and Poplar, was replaced in 1956 by the present Indiana-limestone church on South 19th Street designed by Charles Brown. Today the parish is Parish #159 in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, with about 738 registered families.
- Founded January 1881; cornerstone laid August 29, 1880
- Original Gothic church designed by architect Josse A. Vrydagh
- Current church dedicated February 5, 1956
- About 738 registered families; church capacity approximately 750
Parish Staff & Clergy
Pastoral care is currently entrusted to the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus (RCJ). The Administrator, two Parochial Vicars, and a permanent Deacon form the clergy team, supported by a full parish staff and school leadership.
- Administrator: Rev. Elmer Dula, RCJ
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Tommy Latina, RCJ
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Paul John (P.J.) Mapacpac, RCJ
- Deacon: Michael Stratman
- Director of Faith Formation: Veronica Castillo-Rogers
- Business Manager: Kelly Carter
- Interim Liturgical Music Director: Kathy Sutterer
- Administrative Assistant: Martin 'Marty' Schmidt
- Parish Secretary: Martha Thiemann
- Soup Kitchen Director: Carla Johnson
- Parish Facilities Manager: Mike Fisher
- Ministry to Sick and Shut-in: Betty Kapellusch
- Parish Council Chair: Tyler Dinkel
St. Patrick School
Founded by the Sisters of Providence in 1882 and now serving as the deanery school for the Terre Haute Deanery, St. Patrick School is a PK-8 Catholic school located at 449 S. 19th Street on the parish campus. Designated a 'Grade A' school by the state of Indiana, it educates about 358 students under Principal Emily Valentine, with a faith-based curriculum that integrates prayer, sacramental preparation, and service.
- Preschool through 8th grade; approximately 358 students
- Founded 1882 by the Sisters of Providence
- Principal: Emily Valentine
- Religion curriculum: 'Christ Our Life' (K-8), 'Chosen' for Confirmation prep, 'Blessed' for First Eucharist/Reconciliation
- Weekly school Mass beginning in kindergarten
- 5th-grade altar-server training; Living Stations of the Cross in middle school
- Website: www.saintpat.school; Phone (812) 232-2157
Faith Formation for Children & Teens
In addition to the school, the parish runs a parish-based Youth Faith Formation program for children in grades K-8 who do not attend St. Patrick School, including sacramental preparation for Eucharist and Penance. High-schoolers from across the Terre Haute Deanery gather for 'Terre Haute Catholic Teens: Teen Connection,' which also handles Confirmation preparation for teens who have not yet received the sacrament.
- Youth Faith Formation (K-8): Sundays during the 2025-2026 school year beginning Sept. 7
- Terre Haute Catholic Teens: Teen Connection & Confirmation Prep (Grades 9-12)
- Open to children of St. Patrick and St. Margaret Mary parishes
- Directed by Veronica Castillo-Rogers ([email protected])
OCIA & Adult Faith Formation
The parish welcomes new Catholics, newcomers to the area, and inquirers through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), the modern form of the Rite of Christian Initiation. Bible studies, parish retreats, and Vacation Bible School round out the lifelong-learning offerings for adults and families.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
- Bible studies
- Parish retreats
- Vacation Bible School
Liturgical Music
Liturgical music is led by Interim Music Director Kathy Sutterer ([email protected]). Parishioners serve as lectors, gift bearers, and musicians across weekend and weekday liturgies, and the school integrates student lectors, servers, and gift bearers into weekly Mass.
Soup Kitchen & Outreach
Outreach to the wider Wabash Valley is a long-standing hallmark of the parish. The St. Patrick Soup Kitchen, directed by Carla Johnson ([email protected]), feeds those in need in the Terre Haute community. The parish also operates a Ministry to the Sick and Shut-in, coordinated by Betty Kapellusch, bringing communion and pastoral care to homebound and hospitalized parishioners.
- St. Patrick Soup Kitchen — community meals
- Ministry to the Sick and Shut-in
- Volunteer catechist and small-group leader teams
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments. Children's preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist typically occurs in second grade (through the school or Youth Faith Formation); Confirmation is prepared for in eighth grade and beyond. Adults enter the Church through OCIA. Couples preparing for marriage and families seeking Baptism should contact the parish office.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (2nd grade)
- Confirmation (8th grade and TH Catholic Teens)
- Marriage / Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- Reconciliation (Wed, Sat, Sun — see schedule)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas X. Logan1880–1883
Founding pastor; assigned by Bishop Francis Silas Chatard; commissioned architect Josse A. Vrydagh to design the original Gothic church; invited the Sisters of Providence to open St. Patrick's School in 1882.
- Rev. Denis J. McMullen1883–1885
Experienced administrator appointed to stabilize parish finances after the $22,000 construction debt.
- Rev. Victor A. Schnell1885–1919
Longest-serving early pastor (34 years); died Nov. 21, 1919 at age 77.
- Rev. James B. Delaney1920–1936
Acquired the 19th Street block, built new elementary and girls' high schools (dedicated 1923); resigned due to ill health before realizing his new-church vision.
- Rev. Thomas Finneran1936–?
Administered the parish through the Depression era.
- Msgr. Finton Walkerto 1950
Died unexpectedly Jan. 26, 1950; during his tenure St. Joseph Academy merged into Central Catholic High School (1937).
- Rev. (later Msgr.) Herbert Winterhalter1950–after 1956
Previously pastor of St. Margaret Mary; launched the building fund, broke ground March 17, 1955 and dedicated the present church Feb. 5, 1956.