St. Mary's had their Centennial Celebration on September 19, 2004 

      Below are pictures of the original  1891 Rectory & Church. The bottom picture is of the interior of the church for one of the churches first Christmas Masses.

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PAST HISTORY OF ST. MARY CHURCH

St. Mary's Church at Ireland, Indiana,  was founded in 1890 when a number of Catholics, who had been affiliated with St. Joseph's Parish at Jasper, Indiana, concluded that a parish should be established in Ireland to be closer to their places of residence.  discussions about the possibility of forming a new parish began several years before with meetings most frequently held at the home of William C. Renner.  Those advocating a new parish who met at the Renner home were Joseph Schuetter, Andrew Schmitt, James Schuler, Phillip Schwenk, Martin Sermersheim, Andrew Fritch, Michael Steinhart, Pauline Hurst, and John Renner.

An organization and building committee was formed, composed of James Schuler, Andrew Schmitt, and Phillip Schwenk.  Following the advice of several local pastors, the committee approached the Right Reverend Fintan Mundweiler, O.S.B. Abbot of St. Meinrad's Abby for final counsel and assistance in obtaining a pastor.

      On April 24, 1890, nineteen and one-half acres were purchased from Albert H. Stewart, son of the founder of Ireland, James G. Stewart, for $1200.00.  In 1891, a small wood frame structure was completed as the first church.  Fidelis Maute, O.S.B., the pastor at Jasper, was appointed to serve as the first pastor of the new parish.  Fr. Maute read the first Holy Mass for the thirty-seven original members.

      Fr. Maute continued residence at Jasper and turned over the daily operations of St. Mary's as a "mission" to the priest-professors at Jasper College.  They were Rev. Dominic Barthel, O.S.B., 1891-1895, and Rev. Hoppenjahns, O.S.B., 1895-1903.  Although a rectory was built in 1894, it would be almost ten years until the benefits of a resident pastor were to come.

       Fr. Anthony Michel, O.S.B., a Dubois County native, after teaching at St. Meinrad and a nine-year period as pastor in Siberia, Perry County, was appointed the first resident pastor in 1903.

       The young parish had grown to forty-five families and plans for a new and larger church were under consideration as Fr. Anthony arrived.  The cornerstone for the new brick structure was laid on August 15, 1904, by the Right Reverend Athanasius Schmitt, Abbot of St. Meinrad, for the new church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The cost of the building was only $11,000, because so many members of the parish donated labor and materials.  It was completed in 1905 in time for Christmas Masses.

       The sacristy of the first church served as a place for Catholic education from the beginning of the parish until 1907 when the old wood church structure was razed and the lumber used to construct a new two-room school and parish hall.

     Miss Katie Rademacher was the first teacher and taught from 1891 through part of the 1893-94 year.  Miss Mary Schmitt completed the year.  Miss Lissie Roll was the teacher for the 1894-95 year.  From 1895-1899, Miss Lena Burger was the teacher.  In 1899, the Sisters of St. Benedict came from Ferdinand and continued until 1987.  The sisters arrived, before a resident pastor was assigned, and moved into the rectory as their home.  The current rectory was built in 1904.  Sr.Mary Andre who taught in the 1986-87 school year was the last sister to teach at Ireland.  The children of St. Mary's Parish now attend the new Ireland Elementary School and have released time for religion education.

Many improvements to the church followed.  Steam heat was installed in 1904.  New pews in 1916, the new altars, expanded seating capacity, modern electric light fixtures and a distinctive belfry was constructed in 1930.

Due to the health of Fr. Anthony, he retired to St. Meinrad in 1937.  He passed away in 1953,  On August 13, 1937, Fr. Louis Becher, O.S.B., was appointed.

Fr. Becher's first major task was the construction of a new two-story brick school which was completed in 1937.  Under the guidance of Fr. Becher, many more improvements were made to the church in the first complete remodeling, done by Otto Rolhe and Paul Hagmeir.  The parish grew rapidly following World War II.

Fr. Becher passed away on September 9, 1957, in Memorial Hospital.  Rev. Carl Shetler was appointed immediately to fill the pastorate of St. Mary's.  Fr. Shetler faced the challenge of a growing parish and the need for another school building.  The new School was completed in 1958.

Fr. David Kissel came to assist the parish on weekends and helped develop the programs needed to take the parish into the changes brought about by Vatican II.

In June 1970, Fr. Shetler was transferred to St. Mary's Church in Evansville.  The Rev. Raymond G. Reising, assumed duties as pastor on June 26, 1970.  Fr. Reising began plans for remodeling the church which was completed in 1971.

Fr. Reising served as pastor until 1982 when he left St. Mary's for reassignment as associate pastor at St. Joseph's parish in Evansville.  He retired in 1984.

The Rev. Kenneth Betz was appointed as pastor in September 1982.  Fr. Betz quickly became acquainted with the parishioners, as well as winning the affection of the young people.

The tithing program began in 1983.  Ten percent of the Sunday collections are shared with the poor and needy.

St. Mary's Parish has seen continued growth in both the number of parishioners and renewed efforts to enrich the spiritual and family life of the people

St. Mary's Community Center, Social Hall, and Activities Center have become attractive and busy facilities throughout each year. Restructuring and improvements of the two former school buildings have contributed greatly to make the rooms more suitable for enjoyable social functions, meetings and the spiritual direction of our young parishioners through CCD classes.  Adults too find them great places for inspirational meetings, classes, and retreats.

The annual St. Mary Church Picnic that has become widely known throughout Southern Indiana as an enjoyable community social event continues to enjoy record attendance.  Many new activities have been added to the traditional food and game stands.  The large number of beautiful quilts made by quilters of St. Mary remains one of the main attractions every year at the picnic.

Father Kenneth Betz concluded his nearly 17 years of dedicated service to the People of God at St. Mary in June of 1998.

Father Donald Ackerman, a native of Jasper, was appointed pastor thereafter at St. Mary's and quickly became familiar with the people of the parish community.

Sister Mary Louise Uebelhor of the Sisters of St. Benedict has joined the staff at St. Mary's as Music Minister in August of 1999.

Fr. Ackerman retired in July of 2005 as the dioceses retirement age is 70.

Fr. John Boeglin was appointed pastor and Fr. Zach Etienne was appointed associate pastor in July of 2005

The parish has continued to grow with many new families and  young families with children choosing to make the Ireland community and St.Mary's Parish their home.

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