March 4, 2011
Anniversary celebration planned at St. John the Apostle
This striking image of the Blessed Virgin and the Child Jesus has a prominent place in St. John the Apostle Church, Evansville. (Message photo by Paul R. Leingang) Click for a larger version.
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
A seventieth anniversary celebration is being planned at St. John the Apostle Church in Evansville, on Sunday, Aug. 7.
“Be sure to save the date,” said Blessed Sacrament Sister Jane Nesmith in the winter parish newsletter. Sister Jane is the pastoral life coordinator for the parish which traces its origins to events in 1931.
Plans for the August 2011 celebration include a dinner dance at the Clarion Inn (formerly the Holiday Inn on North Highway 41).
In addition to the anniversary celebration, events at St. John in 2011 include the annual old-fashioned parish dinner on Sat-urday, March 19. Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger will be the special guest. Mike Blake of 14 WFIE will emcee the even-ing and entertainment will be provided by Eric Scales and Gina Moore.
The March 19 dinner helps to maintain outreach activities to Evansville’s low-income families and actively supports en-deavors to enhance the quality of life of others.
Contributions of $30 or more are requested for the annual old-fashioned dinner. Corpor-ate tables for eight are available for $200.
Activities at St. John
Among activities and programs at St. John are NEEDS — which operates programs in healthcare, weekend childcare, food for the hungry and housing.
The SOUL Empowerment Fit-ness/Nutrition Program has seen an increase in the number of people taking a proactive role in their healthcare, according to the parish newsletter. Weekly classes in cardio-kickboxing, cycling, step aerobics, yoga and strength training have been well attended.
The program has also in-creased its outreach to the Evansville community through radio spots, presentations to the University of Evansville’s faculty and students, as well as exercise demonstrations at the Vanderburgh County Jail.
Weekend Childcare fills an ever increasing need. The month-ly census continues to increase as more and more people find it necessary to work weekend hours.
Food for the Hungry, St. John’s Sunday soup kitchen, prepares and serves about 200 meals a week.
Members of Junior Mental Health present a puppet show for our children guests every first Sunday. The show focuses on safety and behavior issues.
The parish is planning to build a duplex on Gum Street. The Department of Metropoli-tan Development has extended a $115,000 grant through the end of 2011. St. John’s is seeking matching funds.
Parish history
Father Francis P. Ryves was pastor of Assumption Church in the early 1930s. During Pen-tecost Week in 1931, 11 persons went to Father Ryves and asked him to organize a Black Parish.
He directed an assistant pastor to celebrate Mass in the As-sumption School Auditorium, and Father Anthony L. Mc-Laughlin presided at the first Mass on Nov. 8, 1931. On Christmas morning, the new community celebrated its first High Mass.
John H. Fendrich agreed to build a church in 1940, named St. John in honor of Fendrich’s patron saint. The church was dedicated on May 4, 1941 by Bishop Joseph Ritter of Indian-apolis.
Church attendance grew; in 1956, under the guidance of Msgr. Herman Mootz, most of the original church building was demolished and a new structure twice the original size was constructed.
At times during its history, the parish had geographical boundaries; at other times, it served as an Apostolic Center without boundaries, with a mission to serve people from any and all geographic areas.
St. John’s was also the home of Marian Day School from the late 1960s until 1983.
Sister Jane Nesmith has served as pastoral life coordinator since Oct. 20, 1996.