Shelby
County, Indiana
Churches
St. Vincent Catholic Church
Churches
St. Vincent Catholic Church
The early history of the Catholic Church in Shelby County is almost identical with its history throughout the Western wilds. A Catholic family emigrating from Maryland, Kentucky, or some neighboring State, and settling in the dense forest, or out upon the broad prairie, a priest visiting them once or twice a year -- and the early history is told. It is true that, long before the settlement of the great Northwest by the white race, the Catholic missionary traversed its broad prairies and dense forests, preaching the word of God to the savage red-man, and often yielding up his life at the hands of those he came to teach the truths of salvation. Yet the wild Indians loved the "Black Robe," as he was called by them, and his coming was generally a season of regoicing, for, although at times their savage nature would brook no control, they knew that the Catholic priest was their truest friend, who would lay down his life as his Master did, if by so doing he could bring them to believe in the immortal truths of the Gospel.
Sixty years ago, Catholics were few in Indiana, churches were still more so, and there were probably not more than three priests in the whole State. It may be safely asserted that the first church built in this State was a Catholic Church, at the "old post," Vincennes.
Mrs. Mary Carnell, a native of Maryland, came to Shelby County, Ind., in 1824, and was undoubtedly the first Catholic who settled in this county. In 1825, Mr. and Mrs. Leo H. Worland, of Scott County, Ky., came on a visit to Mrs. Nancy Young, a sister of Mrs. Worland, and settled permanently in 1826. John P. Newton and family moved here in 1827, settling on the farm now owned by William Farrell. Leo H. Worland was followed by his father, Thomas Worland, with the whole family in 1828. Thomas Worland was born in Maryland June 11, 1774; moved to Scott County, Ky., in 1796; thence to Shelby County, Ind., where he died in 1850. He was the father of thirteen children, viz., John M., Leo H., Arnold E., Thomas L., Stephen D., Robert A., Sebastian, Rachel, Mary Ann, Teresa, Ellen, William and Ulilah; and may justly be called the leading Catholic of the county in his time. He was a generous and pious Christian, and with him the priests and missionaries always found a pleasant and comfortable home. Through his influence, others were encouraged to move here from Kentucky, as Joseph and James Newton, George Laws, Denis Morgan and Joseph Simms. In the fall of 1828, Rev. George Elder, of St. Pius' Church, Scott County, Ky., came on a visit to his spiritual children, as they formerly belonged to his congregation in that county. The sacrifice of the mass was then offered up for the first time in Shelby County, in the rude log cabin of Thomas Worlan, who lived on Little Blue about one mile east of Shelbyville. The Catholic congragation numbered, at this time, about thirty members. Father Elder preached in the schoolhouse, and attracted the attention of his Protestant audience by his eloquence and the doctrines of Catholicity, which he explained, and which seemed to be something new to most of them. Everybody was anxious to take a peep at the Catholic priest, and all went away impressed with the truths which many, for the first time in their lives, had heard. Father Elder paid a second visit to this infant congregation in 1829, and said mass at the house of Thomas Worland, who was now living in how own farm in Addison Township. He preached in the schoolhouse in Shelbyville, and pleased the audience very much by his clear, earnest manner of propounding the Word of God, and by his amiable and kind treatment of all with whom he came in contact.
Rev. M. Lalumiere, of Vincennes, was sent by Bishop Flaget, of Bardstown, Ky., to visit the Catholic families of Shelby County in 1830, visiting them twice a year -- in the spring and fall. In 1833, Rev. M. Petit, a Jesuit missionary, accompanied by Father Lalumiere on a missionary tour through Indiana, visited this county and preached a short mission, during which George Laws was baptized and received into the church. In 1834, Rev. Stephen T. Badin, the first priest ordained in the United States, while on his way to South Bend, stopped with the congregation one week. Rev. Joseph Ferneding, from New Alsace, Dearborn Co., Ind., came on a visit in 1836, and in May, 1837, Father Lalumiere paid his last visit to this county, and proposed to the congregation to have a resident priest among them, to which they gladly agreed. In August, 1837, Rt. Rev. Simon Gabriel Brute, Bishop of Vincennes, send Rev. Vincent Baquelin to take charge of this congregation. He was born in Clermont Ferrand, France; was a man of zeal and activity, and soon gained the love and esteem of his people. From here he also visited Indianapolis, which remained in his charge some time. In 1838, the Catholics of Columbus, Ind., were left in his charge, whom he visited regularly until the priest of Madison took Columbus as a part of his district. In July, 1838, Bishop Brute visited this congregation and administered confirmation to thirteen members. The zealous Pastor, Father Baquelin, seeing the necessity of having a house of worship, laid the matter before the people who at once seconded his wishes, and soon began to make arrangements to build a church. A meeting was held January 6, 1838, and a subscription was taken for a new church. The subscribers were Thomas Worland, Leo H. Worland, John P. Newton, Denis Morgan, John M. Worland, George Laws, Stephen D. Worland, Thomas Laws, Sebastian Worland, David K. Newton, Walter Laws, John Coleman, Thomas Thompson and Rev. Vincent Baqueline. The contract was let September 6, 1838, to Calvill Pearce the church to cost, when completed, $619, and to be erected on the land of Thomas Worland, who generously donated two acres of ground for church purposes. In October, 1839, mass was first celebrated in St. Vincent's Church; and in October, 1840, the Rt. Rev. C. De Hailandiere, Bishop of Vincennes, visited the congregation, blessed the church and confirmed seven persons, being assisted by Father Shaw, an able and eloquenty divine, who preached the sermon.
Father Baquelin was Pastor of this congregation nine years and one month. While returning from a visit to Peter Hirschauer's, in Rush County, September 2, 1846, he was thrown from his horse and almost instantly killed. This sad event caused deep and lasting regret among his people, who mournflly followed his reamins to their alst resting place, in St. Vincent's graveyard. Father Baquelin was succeeded by Rev. John Ryan, who remained but a short time; and, in 1847, Rev. John McDermott became Pastor, and had charge on year. He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Murphy, who styed but a few months. Rev. John Gueguen, from Indianapolis, had charge four years; and, in 1853, Father Maloney came, and remained two years. In May, 1855, Father Martinovic, better known as Father Martin, became Pastor of St. Vincent's Church. In 1861, with the assistance of the Mother Superior of the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Franklin Co., Ind., he established a Catholic school. The Sisters' house is a fine two-story brick building, containing eight rooms; and the schoolhouse is the same class of building, and both are situated in a beautiful forest-grove, close to the church. Father Martin left unexpectedly in the beginning of 1863, against the wished of the people, returning to his native land of Europe. From Rome, he wrote to some of his friends, and this was the last heard from him. He was a most generous, pious, kind-hearted priest, who gave to the poor, or for charitable objects, every cent that he could call his own, and it is doubtful if he ever possessed more than $5 at one time. He was beloved and revered by Protestants as well as Catholics, and all love to speak of his many noble acts of Christian charity. In July, 1863, Rev. John P. Gillig took charge of St. Vincent's and remained its Pastor three years. In March, 1867, Rev. William Doyle was appointed Pastor, remaining until May, 1868. During his ministry, the congregation had so increased, under the efficient charge of its former Pastors, that he found it necessary to build an addition to the church, which he did. In November, 1868, Rev. Francis Joseph Rudolf took charge of the congregation of St. Vincent's. He was born in Alsace, France; raised at Oldenburg, Franklin Co., Ind., and ordained in Cincinnati. In 1870, the pastoral residence of St. Vincent's was built and, in 1877, arrangements were made to build a new church, which is now completed. The architect was D. A. Bohlen, of Indianapolis, and the church cost about $9,000, the people furnishing the land, and doing all the hauling. It is 112x43 feet, with a steeple 138 feet high; is a very fine building, and one of the most beautiful pieces of church architecture in this part of the State. The St. Vincent's parish shcool, taught by the Sisters of St. Francis, has school ten months in the years, with a large attendance, and is in a flourishing condition. This church of St. Vincent's consisted originally of American Catholics from Kentucky and Maryland, besides a few Irish Catholic families; but in late years, about twenty-seven German Catholic families have settled in the neighborhood, and are all prosperous farmers. Tilson Wheeler, who was married to Rachel Worland, deserves to be mentioned in connection with St. Vincent's Catholic Church. He came from Madison County, Ky., in 1830, and was converted to the Catholic faith by Father Baquelin, and baptized July 6, 1846, and became one of the leading Catholics of the congregation. He was a man who had very little to say, but was always among the first to give. He died March 28, 1876, and one of his dying requests to his family was -- "Remember the poor and give freely to the church," and it must be admitted that a great deal of the success of the new church is justly atributable to their liberality. Mrs. Tilson Wheeler is still living, and a resident here. William Farrell, a sterling Irish Catholic, also deserves to be placed among those who have always had the interest of the church at heart. Among the other families who have worked hard to build up the church, may be mentioned the Higginses, Rhulmans, Luxes, Schafs, Weintrouts, Bayers, Polhman, Meer, Crawford, Delekamp and many others. Ot the Catholic pioneers, Leo H. Worland and wife are about the only ones living except pershaps, Mrs. William Farrell and her brother Henry, children of John P. Newton, one of the earliest Catholic pioneers of Shelby Co. Leo H. Worland has been the leading man in the church ever since his father's death, and remained so until his removal to Shelbyville in 1872. He has lived to do good, and Shelby County many well be proud of such a citizen, who is well known and highly respected for his honest, upright character. There were Catholics living in Shelbyville as early as 1825; but no congregation was organized until 1865. They held services at first in private houses a few times a year, such as at the house of Dr. Michael Freeh, Joseph Simms, Thomas O'Connor, and later, in the house of William Morgan. Dr. Michael Freehas born at Ingenheim, Bavaria, in 1795, and, after coming to the United States, practiced one year in Philadelphia and two years in Harrisburg, Penn. In 1834, he came to Shelbyville, Ind.; was here considered an able and skillful physician, and met with good success in his practice. He died Dec. 3, 1874, in his eightieth year, respected and honored by all who knew him. In 1865, Rev. John Gillig, at that time Pastor of St. Vincent's, saw the necessity of Shelbyville having a church. He first rented a hall of Samuel Hamilton, and then of Mr. Leimson, where the Catholics held service until a church was built. He bought a lot on East Broadway, where St. Joseph's Church now stands. He was succeeded by Rev. William Doyle, in March, 1867, who was also Pastor of St. Vincent's, and who began at once to build the new church. It was a difficult undertaking, and was predicted by many that it would end in a failure; but his work was crowned with success, and in 1869, he was removed to St. Patrick's, Daviess Co., Ind., where he is at the present time. In the spring of 1870, Rev. Francis Joseph Rudolf, of St. Vincent's, was appointed Pastor of St. Joseph's and he completed the church and furnished it with everything necessary for service. When the church was buildt and finsihed, it was much too large for the congregation, and was heavily encumbered with debt; to-day, it is a great deal too small, and is entirely free from debt. Judging from the rapid growth of St. Joseph's congregation, they will soon be compelled to enlarge their church, or like St. Vincent's, replace it with a new one. After the church was completed, there was still wanting a parish school; and, in 1873, Father Rudolf secured a property close to the church and converted it into a schoolhouse. Since that, there has been school ten months a year, with the average attendance of about one hundred and twenty-five. This school is taught by the Sisters of St. Francis, and, as an educational institution, is prosperous and improving steadily.
Much of the present prosperity of the Catholic Church in Shelby County is due to the zeal and energy of Father Rudolf, who has labored hard and earnestly to build up God's church. He is a good, pious priest, imbued with the true spirit of Christianity; modest and retiring, a man who talks little, but labors earnestly and constantly in the interests of his flock and church. During his ministry in this county, the church has been steadily growing, and many lukewarm Catholics have become steadfast in the faith; and his people throughout the county respect and love him for his zeal, piety and kindness at all times. It is mainly through his earnest work and influence that St. Joseph's Church is free from debt; and St. Vincent's beautiful edifice has been erected only his perseverance and determination that the Catholics should have one church in the county that all might well feel proud of.
Since the first Catholic Church at Vincennes was dedicated to the service of God, the growth of the church in Indiana has been truly wonderufl. Sixty years ago, Indiana contained three priests, while to-day there are 260, ministering to a Catholic population of 180,000 souls, with a school average of 50,000 children in attendance at the Catholic parish schools throughout the State. In 1828, there were inside of the boundaries of Shelby County thirty members of the Catholic Church; to-day, there are 105 families, numbering about 700 persons, who are strict adherents of that faith. Since mass was first celebrated in the log cabin of Thomas Worland in 1828, many Protestants have joined "the faith of the fathers," whose families are now among the most sincere and devout believers in the truths of Catholicity. Truly, the Catholic Church of Shelby County may be likened unto the parable of the mustard seed, as since its planting in this county over fifty years ago, it has grown and flourished far beyond the most sanguine expectations of its warmest adherents.
Atlas of Shelby Co., Indiana, J. H. Beers & Co., 1880, page 55.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
Baptisms
1837
September 14 I, undersigned, baptised Susanna Wheeler, Daughter of Tillson Wheeler and Rachel Worland, his wife.
Godmother Helena Worland
Baquelin, priest
? I, undersigned, baptised Vincent Oliver Worland, Son of Lev Worland and Marguerite Laudon his wife
Godfather Rev. M. Baquelin
Godmother Tricy Worland
Baquelin,
priest.
? 28
I, undersigned, baptised William Dargan, Jane Dargan,
Catherine Dargan, Children of ___ Dargan
Godfather Rev. M. Baquelin
Baquelin, p.
November 20 I, undersigned, baptised Arnold
Worland, Son of Milton Worland, and Susanna Parmer,
his wife.
Godmother Anna Worland
Baquelin, p.
1838
The fifteenth of January, I the
undersigned, baptised James Dargan, Son of William Dargan and ___ his wife.
Godfather Rev. M. Baquelin
Baquelin,
p.
The 17th of January, I,
undersigned, baptised Benjamin Guy, Son of John Guy and Marion Guy, his wife, near
Columbus. Bartholomew C. State of Indiana.
Godfather Rev. M. Plunket
Baquelin,
p.
The thirtieth of January, I Baptised Thomas McGinty, Son of Thomas
McGinty, his wife at (the rest is cut off the page)
1839
1839
Hamilton
Bartholomew 56September the 16 I baptized Maria? Fereter*, Daughter of James Fereter, and of Mary Fereter his wife God-father James Obrien God-mother Mary Coffee Baquelin, C.P. September the 26 I baptized Anna Lofty, Daughter of James Lofty and Catherine Lofty his Wife Jennings C? God-mother Mary Mguire** Baquelin, C.P.
XSeptember the 27th I baptized Marian Mhoney*** Daughter of Elias Mhoney and of Marianna Mhoney his wife God-mother Charlotta Owens Baquelin, C.P.
MadisonOctober the 23, I baptized ____ Sylvester ____ God-father Edward? Mahualy God-mother Marguerite MaguelyBaquelin
BartholomewOctober the 23rd I baptized Anna Maria Burn Daughter of John Burn and of Mary Burn, his wife. God-father Bartholomew Heavy God-mother Anna Maria LarganBaquelinOctober the 29th I baptized Marguerite Ann Worland, Daughter of Leo Worland and of Marguerite Worland his wife. God-mother Anna WorlandBaquelin
XNovember the 6th I baptized Ellen Farrel Daughter of Edward Farrell and Catherine Farell his wife. God-father Joseph Conrad God-mother Ellen Sanofetter?Baquelin
* may be Fereter, Jereter or SereterDecember the 8th I baptized Charles Rayly, Son of Douglas Rayly and M. Suth, ? God-father BaquelinBaquelin
** misspelling of McGuire?
*** misspelling of Mahoney?
-41 18 -41 18
108
Barth July the 21 I baptized Sara Anne Mahoney, Sara Anne Mahoney
Ham Daughter of Robert Mahoney and of N. Mahoney his wifeRobert Mahoney
V. Baquelin
August the 14th I baptized Mary Connor, Mary Connor
Daughter of and of N. Connor his wife.
V. Baquelin
Barth August the 26th I baptized Mary Ellen Powers, Mary Ellen Powers
Daughter of Milton (?) Powers and of Meary Powers. Milton (?) Powers
God-father Lawrence Galligan Lawrence Galligan
God-mother Lucinda Galligan Lucinda Galligan
V. Baquelin
Hancock August the 20th I baptized (blank) Fowler, Fowler
Son of Benjamin Fowler and of (blank) FowlerBenjamin Fowler
God-father Augustus Fowler Augustus Fowler
God-mother (blank) Fowler Fowler
V. Baquelin
Ham September the first I baptized James James
God-mother Ellen Guinam Ellen Guinam
V. Baquelin
Hamil September the ?th I baptized Anna Victoria Shiel, Anna Victoria Shiel
Daughter of Michael Shiel and of Briget Shiel his wife.Michael Shiel
God-father Terry Shiel Terry Shiel
God-mother Briget Shiel Briget Shiel
V. Baquelin
September the 19th I baptized James Benjamin Worland, James Benjamin Worland
Son of Thomas Worland and of Marion Worland, his wife. Thomas Worland Marion Worland
God-father David Newton David Newton
God-mother Theresa Worland Theresa Worland
V. Baquelin
September the 19th I baptized Rachel Rebecca Worland, Rachel Rebecca Worland
Daughter of Stephen Worland and of Paula Worland, his wife.Stephen Worland Paula Worland
God-father William Worland William Worland
God-mother Marianne Worland Marianne Worland
V. Baquelin
1841 10 1841
x
MarionApril the 11th I baptized Elizabeth Biler
Daughter of Michael Biler and of Elisabeth Biler, his wife.
God-mother Elizabeth Freiday
V. Baquelin, C.P.
HamApril the 25th I baptized Josephine Priscilla Domanget
Daughter of Augustus Domanget and of Ruth Domanget
God-father Joseph Lanoc
V. Baquelin, C.P.
DelaMay the 2nd I baptized Catherine OMahony,
Daughter of Thomas Omahony and of Ellen Omahony his Lawful wife
God-father Timothee Omahony
God-mother Briget Shiel
V. Baquelin, C.P.
BarthMay the 6th I baptized Elizabeth Garette Daughter of William Garretty and of Elizabeth Garretty his Lawful wife God-father Edward Henesy God-mother Ellen Henesy
Hamilton?May the 20th I baptized Marian Sneider
Daughter of N. Sneider
God-father James Edward Farrell
V. Baquelin
BarthMay the 20th I baptized Marian Caughlin,
Daughter of Thomas Caughlin and of Elisabeth Caughlin, his wife.
God-father Thomas McDonald
God-mother Mary MCarty
V. BaquelinMay the 21 I baptized John Glake
Son of William Glake and of Ellen Glake.
God-father William Rush
God-mother Marguerite Rush
V. Baquelin
100May the 30th I baptized Mariann Curlin
Daughter of Michael Curlin and of N. Curlin his wife
God-father Patrick Cahil
God-mother Ann Cahil
V. Baquelin
1842
January the 19th I baptized Anna Hanby ______
Marion *
V. Baquelin, C.P.
January the 19th, I baptized in Marion *, James Alf__ Heart,
Son of Michael and
Elizabeth Heart.
Sponsors James Fowler and Anna Cahil
V. Baquelin, C.P.
January the 20th, I baptized in Bartholomew Elizabeth Burk**
Daughter of Nicholas and
of Lara Burk
Sponsors Matthew Reynolds and Joanna Cahil.
V. Baquelin, C.P.
January the 22nd, I baptized Briget Farrel.
Daughter of Michael and
of Mary Farrel.
Sponsors Martin Me*** and Catharine Mcanty
V. Baquelin
January the __th, I baptized Barbara Swap,
Daughter of John and
Mary Swap.
Sponsors John M__rand Barbara Long
(at Madison)
V. Baquelin
January the 27th, I baptized Thomas Awl,
Son of Robert and Mary
Awl.
Sponsors Thomas Holton and Mary _ineg_
(at Marion)
V. Baquelin
11 _____ Die. Rosy
Doxey****,
Daughter of Patrick
Doxey and of Catherine Doxey, his wife.
Sponsors James Gordon and Maryan Crimmer
(at Madison)
V. Baquelin, C.P.
January the 28th, I baptized in Bartholomew, Elias
Mahoney.
Son of Elias Mahoney
and Mary Mahoney.
Sponsors _____ Mahoney.
V. Baquelin
January the 29th, I baptized Edward Hinde,
Son of Patrick and of
Mariah Louisa Hinde.
Sponsors Rev R. or V. Baquelin
Johnson *
V. Baquelin, p.
February the 6th, I baptized Susanna Catherine Sims,
Daughter of Joseph
and Tabitha Sims.
Sponsors William Worland and Susanna Newton.
V. Baquelin
March the 17th, I baptized in Brown * Anna Landrigan*****.
Daughter of Michael
and Marguerite Landrigan.
Sponsors James Griffin and Joanna Griffin.
V. Baquelin, p.
March the 21st, I baptized in Shelbyville, Elizabeth Humb__,
Daughter of Frederic
and Catherine Humb__.
(unable to read this line)
V. Baquelin
March the 20th, I baptized in (unable to read the
rest)
* the abbreviation after the township name looks like Cy.
** may or may not be Burk
*** may be Mehr or Meek
**** may be Doxey or Dodey
***** may be Londrigan or Landrigan
10
9Elis. Die 3tis Julii baptizavi neo-conversam Elisabeth Mariam, fil. leg. Elisabeth Mariam
Maria Joannis Fenimore et Lydae Holland, natam die 25th Februarii 1870. Joannis Fenimore Lydae Holland
Fenimore) Sponsores: Robertus Worland et Elis. Simms.
Simms
10 **married Mabel Moulton 5/29/1980 – St. Louis Church – Austin, Texas (?)
Carolus Eodem die baptizavi Carolum Joseph fil. leg. Carolum Joseph
Joseph Joseph Sebastiani Simms et Mariae Elis. Simms natu Fenimore, Joseph Sebastiani Simms Mariae Elis Fenimore
Simms natum die 16 Aprilis 1890.
Spons: Alphonsus Arthur Simms et Susanna Simms. Alphonsus Arthur Simms Susanna
11.
Eleurtheria Item eodem die baptizavi Eleurtheriam (Litha) Elis. fil. leg. Eleurtheriam (Litha) Elis
Elis. J. S. Simms et Elis. Mariae. Fenimore, natam die 11 Febr. 1892. J. S. Simms Elis. Mariae. Fenimore
Simms Sponsores: George Hock et Mary Simms. George Hock Mary Simms
12. (ex eisdem parentilum?
Jacobus Item Jacobum Arthur, natum die 13. Augusti, 1895. Jacobum Arthur
Arthur Sponsores: Eduardus Bogemann et Cuba Bogemann Eduardus Bogemann Cuba
Simms Carolus Stricker
13
Eduard Die 17. Julii baptizavi Eduardum Hermann fil. leg. Eduardum Hermann
Hermann Francisci Ronnebohm et Mariae Elis. Lux. Die 16. Natum. Matri? ? ? Francisci Ronnebohm Mariae Elis. Lux
Ronnebohm Sp. (?) Antonius Ronnebohm et Elis. Lux. Feb. 22, 1?22. Matilda Miller Antonius Ronnebohm Elis. Lux Matilda Miller
14
Myrtle Die 24. Julii baptizavi Mariam Bertiam (Myrtle Wilbertus) fil. leg. Mariam Bertiam (Myrtle Wilbertus)
Iberetia Guilielim Hurst et Lorinae Hewitt, die 2 May natam L.L.P.P. Guilielim Hurst Lorinae Hewit
Hurst Ottone Lindner et uxare ejno. Ottone Lindner
Carolus Stricker
15
Margarita Die 9. Sept. baptizavi Margaritam Magdalen Ursulam, die 6th natam, fil. leg. Margaritam Magdalen Ursulam
Magdalena Eduardi Heppner et Catharinae Thibo. Eduardi Heppner Catharinae Thibo
Ursula Sponsores: Franciscus Heppner et M.Magd. Weintraut. Franciscus Heppner M.Magd. Weintraut
Heppner Carolus Stricker
** note apparently added on 5/29/1980
? unsure what is written
Transcribed by Linda Bath
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