About St. Rose of Lima · Franklin, Indiana
St. Rose of Lima is a Roman Catholic parish in Franklin, Indiana, in Johnson County about 20 miles south of Indianapolis. Founded in 1868 as a mission for Catholics in a predominantly Protestant town, it is the mother parish for the central and southern Johnson County region and includes St. Rose of Lima School (Preschool through Grade 8) and a chaplaincy at Franklin College. The parish is part of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and is currently served by Fr. Timothy DeCrane as pastor, with Fr. Jegan Peter announced to begin as the next pastor on July 1, 2026.
- Established
- 1868
- Patron
- St. Rose of Lima
- Rector
- Rev. Timothy DeCrane (Fr. Jegan Peter announced to begin as the new pastor on July 1, 2026)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Rose of Lima is the historic Catholic home for Johnson County, serving families and the wider Franklin community for more than 150 years. The parish pairs traditional Catholic worship — daily and weekend Mass in English, Saturday Reconciliation, Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration, and devotional opportunities — with a robust Catholic school (Preschool through Grade 8), religious education for school-age children, a youth group for grades 6-12, adult continuing formation, and an OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process for those exploring the faith. Its commissions for Faith Formation, Parish Life, School, Respect Life, and Administration give adults concrete ways to serve, and the parish has explicitly committed itself to serving not only its own members but "the human needs of every person in Johnson County."
Mass times at St. Rose of Lima
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–4:15 PM
- After each daily Mass
- By appointment (call 317-738-3929)
Adoration times
- Wednesdays 6:30 AM – 7:00 PM in the church
Our Story & Heritage
Since its founding in 1868, the people of St. Rose of Lima have celebrated the presence of God in Franklin and the rural communities of central and southern Johnson County. The parish was born when Bishop Jacques M. de St. Palais of the Diocese of Vincennes purchased a small former Presbyterian church on the outskirts of Franklin for $625 and dedicated it in August 1868, naming it for the saint whose feast day falls in that month. A 1993 parish history documents subsequent moves — first in 1905 to the former Tabernacle Christian Church downtown under Bishop Francis S. Chatard, and finally in 1965 to the current Lancelot Drive property, which gave the parish room to grow.
- Founded August 1868
- Original building purchased for $625
- 1905 relocation to downtown Franklin
- 1965 dedication of the current church on Lancelot Drive
- 150th anniversary Mass celebrated by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson on August 26, 2018
- Mother parish for central and southern Johnson County
Discrimination & Growth in Johnson County
The parish's written history records that Catholics were a small minority in Franklin and faced significant prejudice, particularly from the turn of the century through the 1930s and 1940s. The Ku Klux Klan marched through Franklin, crosses were burned, threats were made, and two Catholic teachers were fired from the local public school system. Discrimination gradually eased during and after World War II as Catholics serving in the military at Camp Atterbury settled in Franklin with their families, and the parish grew in numbers and in acceptance by the broader community.
- KKK activity and anti-Catholic discrimination documented through the 1930s–40s
- Two Catholic teachers fired from local public schools during this period
- Post-WWII growth fueled by servicemen stationed at Camp Atterbury
St. Rose of Lima School
St. Rose of Lima School is a ministry of the parish and serves families in Franklin and surrounding areas by integrating Catholic faith with a comprehensive educational program for students Preschool through Grade 8. With Christ as its model, dedicated professionals partner with parents to provide a safe, nurturing, value-centered learning environment that ensures academic excellence. The school opened in 1994 with two preschool classes and a kindergarten and added a grade level each year until reaching eighth grade; it has since become one of the parish's greatest evangelization tools, attracting non-Catholic families from across the area. The Archdiocese of Indianapolis lists total enrollment of 130 students, with Principal Kim Tekippe.
- Preschool through Grade 8
- Approximately 130 students
- Principal: Kim Tekippe ([email protected])
- School Office Manager: Laura Pasos
- School phone: 317-738-3451
- Opened 1994
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Rose of Lima spans children, youth, and adults. The Faith Formation Commission coordinates programming across the parish, fostering cooperation among catechists, parents, and parish staff.
- Religious Education (Sunday school program) — registration for the 2026-27 year is open
- Youth Group for grades 6-12, led by Youth Minister Hannah Burgener
- Adult Continuing Formation
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), led by Patty Moore — for adults exploring the Catholic faith
- Scouts Troop & Cub Pack
Parish Ministries & Commissions
St. Rose ministries are organized into commissions and operational sub-committees that provide advisory and consultative support to the Pastor, parish staff, parishioners, the school principal, and operational support for parish facilities. Commission appointments are typically three years; operational committees meet as needed. The parish's ministries page is presented bilingually in English and Spanish, reflecting outreach to Spanish-speaking parishioners.
- Faith Formation Commission
- Parish Life Commission
- School Commission
- Respect Life Ministry
- Administration Commission
- Parish Advisory Committee (chair: Wes Hall)
- Finance Council (chair: Jim DellaRocco)
- Music Ministry (Music Director: Linda Robertson)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Families are asked to register as parishioners, and preparation programs are coordinated through specific staff contacts.
- Baptism — preparation through Lynn Bower ([email protected])
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist — through the Faith Formation Commission
- Marriage — engaged couples must contact the parish office at least six months before the wedding
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:30–4:15 PM, after each daily Mass, or by appointment
- OCIA (RCIA) — for adults seeking full initiation; contact Patty Moore
Clergy, Staff & Pastoral Team
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Timothy DeCrane, supported by Deacon Pat Bower and a pastoral team that includes the Business Manager, Pastoral Associate, Director of Religious Education, Music Director, School Principal, OCIA Director, and Youth Minister. The parish bulletin and website also list the Parish Advisory Committee and Finance Council chairs.
- Pastor: Rev. Timothy DeCrane ([email protected])
- Incoming Pastor: Fr. Jegan Peter (effective July 1, 2026)
- Deacon Pat Bower ([email protected])
- Pastoral Associate: Yolanda Burgener ([email protected])
- Business Manager: Fran Reiley ([email protected])
- Director of Religious Education / Evangelization: Marilyn Pitzulo ([email protected])
- School Principal: Kim Tekippe
- Music Director: Linda Robertson
- OCIA Director: Patty Moore
- Youth Minister: Hannah Burgener
Visiting, Registering & Getting Involved
The parish warmly welcomes new parishioners and asks visitors to register at the parish office or via forms on the parish website. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM; the office is closed on Fridays. Anyone interested in learning about the Catholic faith is invited to email OCIA Director Patty Moore.
- Parish Office: 114 Lancelot Drive, Franklin, IN 46131
- Phone: 317-738-3929
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM; closed Friday
- New parishioner registration: in person at the office or via the parish website
- Explore the Catholic faith: email Patty Moore at [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Schaftlein
Pastor in 2018 who led the 150th anniversary celebration and spoke of the school as a major evangelization tool; discussed strategic planning focused on Scripture, Franklin College ministry, and prison outreach.
- Rev. Timothy DeCrane
Current pastor (per Archdiocese of Indianapolis parish listing and the parish bulletin).
- Fr. Jegan PeterEffective July 1, 2026
Announced as the parish's incoming pastor on the saintrose.net homepage.