November 27, 2009
Shoals parish celebrates 140 years
One-hundred parishioners and guests gathered at St. Mary Church in Shoals on Nov. 15 to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of their parish.
Father Joseph Erbacher, pastor, was the celebrant at the Mass; Scott Johnson was master of ceremonies. During his homily, Father Erbacher challenged everyone to ask themselves “what is it that we are doing in our personal lives to build up our Catholic faith?”
He noted that “the weight now rests on our shoulders to pass on our faith in word and in action. God loves us so much that he sent his only Son Jesus Christ to live and die for us. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, every day of our lives we should proudly proclaim Jesus Christ’s name.”
The history of the parish goes back to June of 1853 when Clement J. Horsey deeded 10 lots to Bishop St. Palais, and Father Patrick J. Murphy from St. Mary Church in nearby Barr Town-ship collected money.
A brick church with a stone foundation was erected in 1869 under the guidance of Father Louis Guegen and named St. Louis in honor of his own patron saint.
In 1874, the church was renamed St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception.
A parish hall was completed in 1988, and during the summer and fall of 1999, the pews were removed and refinished, the kneeling pads were replaced, new lights were installed, and the church interior was repaired, painted and carpeted. The exterior was restored to the original brick.
Father Erbacher was named pastor of the four Martin County parishes in 2004 which include St. Mary’s, St. John Church in Loogootee, St. Joseph Church in Bramble, and St. Martin Church in Whitfield.