Vincennes Deanery
U.S. Census, parish profiles, diocesan census, tell the
Census data for six of the 10 parishes in the Vincennes Deanery was
available at the time of publication. Information about the other four
parishes, and appropriate comparisons, will be incorporated in a future
issue of the Message.
The Vincennes Deanery includes the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier (the
Old Cathedral), which ithe oldest parish in Indiana. Catholic schools in
the deanery are Flaget Elementary and Rivet Junior and Senior High
Schools, both in Vincennes.
Of the six parishes for which census information is available, Old
Cathedral has the oldest population, with a mean age of 43.3 years for the
general population in the geographic area served by the parish. Sacred
Heart Church has the youngest general population, with a mean age of 37.6.
The widest difference in the male-female proportion is at Old Cathedral.
Women make up 60 percent of the general population living in the parish ter-
ritory; men, only 40 percent. St. John the Baptist also has a relatively high
proportion of women.
With more than 66 square miles to serve, Sacred Heart Church has the mosi:i
territory among the six parishes. St. PhilipNeri is relatively large, with 58.6
square miles. Old Cathedral has the smallest territory -- less than one-third: i i i
of a square mile. St. John the Baptist Church has the largest total t
St. Thomas has the smallest. +
Holy Name
Holy Name Church was established in July 1959, to
serve Catholics in eastern Greene County.
Original parish facilities included the new church,
built in 1959; a farmhouse-rectory for Father Eugene
Heerdink, the first pastor; and a converted chicken house
as the parish center. Later the farmhouse, the chicken
house and some 35 acres of farmland were sold to help
pay for parish improvements.
A combination rectory and catechetical center was built in 1965. An addition to the
church in 1982 provided a sacristy, cry room, more space, and an opportunity to re-
model the facility.
Benedictine Sister Mary Terence Knapp was named Pastoral Administrator (now
Holy Name
RR 5 • 700 Lincoln Drive
Bloomfield, Indiana 47424
(812) 384-8415
Pastoral Life Coordinator, DRE: Sister Diane Fischer, O.S.B.
Pastoral Moderator: Rev. Hilary F. Vieck, St. Peter, Linton
Music Minister: Robert Holz
Youth Minister: Sharon Vogler
Financial Manager: Greg Lehman
"Pastoral Life Coordinator") in 1983. She was the first woman to be appointed to such a position in the diocese. Benedictine Sister Diane Fischer was ap-
pointed to head the parish in 1991.
The parish covers a large geographical area, according to a description prepared by parish leadership. There are limited activities for young people in the
area, and there is very little racial diversity.
Areas that need development include youth programs, evangelization, services to the poor and interdenominational activity.
Parish organizations include Youth, Women's Club, Knights of Columbus and Bereavement Group.
Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart Church is in a relatively new part of he historic old city of Vincennes. It was established in 1908, with Father
John Becher as the first pastor.
The church and school combination building was completed in 1909, as were a rectory and a convent. The convent currently is
used for parish meetings and activities.
The new church was dedicated in 1924; a new school, in 1961. The school was later sold to the public schools, as Sacred Heart
and other parishes in the city sent students to the new Flaget Elementary School, and Rivet Junior and Senior High School.
Father James Blessinger has served as pastor since 1987.
The population of the area is growing older, according to a description prepared by parish leadership. Some family homes have
been lost because of expansion of Vincennes
University.
Among areas that need development are
youth ministry: developing lay minsitrv leadership, ministry to single
parent homes and dysfnnctim]al families, and a welcomingprogram.
Among parish organizations are the Newspaper, St. Vincent de Paul,
Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus and Altar and Rosary Society.
Sacred Heart
2004 North Second Street
Vincennes, Indiana 47591
(812) 882-8382
Pastor: Rev. James C. Blessinger
Pastoral Associate, DRE: Sister Carol Ann Mause, O.S.F.
Parish Secretary: Marian L. Williams
St. Francis Xavier
"The Cradle of Catholicism in the old North-
west Territory" was established in 1732 in Vin-
cennes, the oldest permanent European settle-
ment in Indiana.
Jesuit missionary Father Francois Xavier de
Guyenne arrived in 1734, and named the church
for his patron saint. Parish record keeping began
in 1749.
In the first church, George Rogers Clark nego-
tiated the surrender of the British-held fort at
Vincennes, during the American Revolution.
In 1795, Father John Francis Rivet of Vin-
cennes became the first public school teacher in
the United States. At the request of President
George Washington, the U.S. Congress appropri-
ated $200 a year to pay for his teaching services.
Students from the parishes in Vincennes now attend Flaget Elementary
and Rivet Junior and Senior High School.
Basilica of St. Francis Xavier (Old Cathedral)
205 Church Street
Vincennes, Indiana 47591
(812) 882-5638
Population and Holy Name Sacred Heart
Family Summary Bloomfield Vincennes
Total population (Census
Pop. per square mile data
:Land area, square mile unavailable
i By sex: Male at time of
Female publication)
Age: Under 5 yrs
5 to 17 yrs
18 to 24 yrs
25 to 34 yrs
35 to 44 yrs
45 to 54 yrs
55 to 64 yrs
65 to 69 yrs
70 to 74 yrs
75 and over
Mean age
White
Black
Am. Indian, Eskimo, Aleut
Asian or Pacific Islander
Other Race
Hispanic origin (any race)
Persons in households
In family households
In non-family households
Persons in group quarters
Institutionalized persons
Others in group quarters
Total Families
Catholic Households: Census
Households registered
Individuals registered
127
115 614
300 1,597
Infants baptized last year 8 20
Adults initiated last year 2 1 1
Persons confirmed 12 26
Funerals 2 25
Liturgical Min: Lectors 12 19
Eucharistic Ministers 17 31
Song Leaders 1 S
Altar Servers 19 25
Hospitality 20 58
Sta salaried
Volunteers
Catechists
2
4
9
Rel Ed: Pre-School
Elementary
High Scho
9
37
11
St. Francis
"Xavier St. joar
Vincennes
2,712 1,523
41 4,383
66.2 .3 :
1,326 49% 606 40%
1,386 51% 917 60%
195 7% 93 6%
530 20% 104 7% i
160 6% 323 21%
388 14% 223 15%
401 15% 101 796
386 14% 98 6%
231 9% 130 9%
131 5% 71 5%
122 4% 119 8%
168 6% 261 179
37.6 43.3
2,662 98% 1,461 96%
3 .11% 56 4%
47 2% 6 .39%
0 0% 0 0%
o 0% o 0%
32 1% 26 2%
2,657 98% 1,523 100%
2,341 86% 805 53%
316 12% 718 47%
55 2% o 0%
55 2% 0 0%
0 0% 0 0%
793 305
759
580
1,4SO
28 0
3 0
12 I
30
22
25
I
24
0
6 8 I
5 5
12 6
18 11
83 77
14 20
Pastor:. Rev. Robert S. Bultman
DRE: Rose Marie Marsch
Music Minister:. Robert Frisz
Parish Secretary: Eddie Ravalette Jr.
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