Parish History

  • The land for St. Benedict was purchased in 1912

  • In September 1912, Father Martin Hoppenjans, OSB, was named pastor

  • In 1927, construction begins on the new church

In less than a year, the Lombard-Basilica style church was ready for occupancy. It was one of the largest structures in southern Indiana at the time. From floor to ceiling, it is 65 feet high with a seating capacity over 1,000 people. The church was quite impressive with its marble altar, huge pillars down each side of the church as well as the baldequino or canopy above the altar.

  • On March 18, 1928, Abbot Athanasius Schmidt, OSB, dedicates the new church

  • In 1936, Father Lambert Enslinger, OSB, was named pastor

  • In 1939, Father Thomas Schaefers, OSB, eas named pastor

  • In 1941, the Wicks Organ with 1350 oioes was dedicated

  • In 1942, Father Gilbert Hess, OSB, was named pastor

  • In 1043, Father Gabriel Verkamp, OSB, was named pastor

  • In 1944, Evansville becomes the See City of the new diocese

In 1956, the interior ot the church changed greatly. The improvements included: a redesigned main altar, new side altars and communion rails as well as two mosaics at each side of the altar.

  • In 1953, the new school was built

  • In January 1963, Father Alban Berling, OSB was named pastor

In the changing tide of Vatican II, major reconstruction of the interior of the church took place. The massive marble pillars and the canopy were moved forward twenty-five feet and the marble High Altar was dismantled and redesigned to face the people for the celebration of the Eucharist.

  • In February 1970, Bishop Francis R. Shea ordained and installed in St. Benedict Church

  • In 1973, Father Lambert Reilly, OSB, and Father Lawrence Ward, OSB, were named co-pastors

  • In 1974, Father Cyril Vrablic, OSB, was named pastor

  • In 1977, Father Camillus Elsperman, OSB, was named pastor

  • In 1978, the Golden Jubilee of the building was celebrated

  • On April 11, 1989, Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger was ordained and installed at St. Benedict church

  • On August 28, 1991, Father Gregory Chamberlin, OSB, was named pastor

  • On April 11, 1999, St. Benedict Church was consecrated as St. Benedict Cathedral

  • On May, 11, 2003, the seventy-fifth Anniversary of the dedication of the church building was celebrated

  • On April 26, 2011, two days after Easter, Pope Benedict XVI names Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Louisville, Monsignor Charles C. Thompson, the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Evansville

  • On May 22, 2011, Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger celebrates his retirement mass at Saint Benedict Cathedral.

  • On June 29, 2011, Bishop Charles C. Thompson is ordained, as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Evansville, on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. 18 bishops and archbishops, along with dozens of priests, deacons, men/women religious, are in attendance at Roberts Stadium for the ordination mass.