Merrillville Parish History
Catholicism has been present in the Merrillville area for over 180 years. The first Catholic Church was St. John the Baptist, and four more parishes followed. Although parishes have recently combined and some of these church buildings are closed, their significance and the memories will be preserved forever. Below is a brief history of each churh and what made each so unique.
Saints Peter and Paul
The first church to be part of what would become Merrillville started in a log cabin by a group of Catholics from Bavaria, Germany in what was known until the 1950’s as Turkey Creek. During this time, a priest would occasionally visit the settlers in their homes to say Mass for them. St. John the Baptist was built on four acres of land by Father B.J. Voors. This log cabin would not suffice for long due to the growing number of members to the church. A new building was constructed and went up in 1863 at what is now 5851 Harrison Street. It is believed that the name Peter and Paul was chosen to honor Peter Fox for donating some of his farmland and Father H. Paul Wehrle who was responsible for building the church. Father Wehrle’s construction skills were put to use again in 1905 when he built a convent that would eventually house the School Sisters of Notre Dame. In 1915 a new church was built that still stands today. Forty years later another new project broke ground. From 1955-1965, Father John Beckmann led a project for a school and gymnasium.
True to its roots from the time it was started by a group of immigrants, the main goal of the church was always to accept and reach out to people of new cultures that chose to join the parish in worshiping one God.
In 2022, Saints Peter and Paul was one of the three parishes to join together to worship at St. Andrew Church, now known as Holy Martyrs.
St. Andrew (Holy Martyrs)
A repeating theme with Merrillville parishes is growth. In August of 1964, land was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Frank Krieter for another parish. While parishioners waited for their new building to be completed, they took up temporary residency in a rented building at 7550 Broadway. The first Mass in the history of the new parish took place on March 7, 1965. Parishioners would remain at this location until the first Mass at their newly constructed church, which took place on July 31, 1966.
Whether it is known as St. Andrew, or Holy Martyrs, this church sits in a special location. It shares the property with Aquinas School and both have been instrumental in the education and the spiritual life of parishioners and students. Former Aquinas School Principal June Kachur, who served in the role for 17 years believes a church grows tremendously with the presence of a school. “Parents want additional ways to educate their children about the Catholic faith & whether it’s them, the school, or the church instilling these values in their kids, the entire parish thrives with parents and a school that are passionate in their faith.”
Our Lady of Consolation
Our Lady of Consolation’s roots date back to 1947. What is today known as OLC was once called Immaculate Heart of Mary. The church was located in Independence Hill and founded by Father Alvin Jasinski. Following the conclusion of World War II, people in the armed forces began returning home and starting families. With only St. Peter and Paul servicing families in the area, another church was needed. While the first building was under construction, parishioners needed a temporary home. On October 5, 1947, the first Mass in Immaculate Heart of Mary’s history was celebrated in the Independence Hill fire station. Just over a month later, Mass was celebrated for the first time in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and within a few weeks, the Sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony were celebrated.
Growth of the new church continued over the next two decades. Father Leo Armburuster served as the pastor from 1959-63 and it was during this time that fifteen acres of land were purchased on State Route 55, South of US 30, for the future site of a new church. This project would continue into the tenure of Father Herman Schoudel and in 1965, an additional 7 acres of land was purchased and ground was broken in the fall of 1965. At that time there was another church near LaPorte also called Immaculate Heart of Mary, so the church was solemnly dedicated as Our Lady of Consolation. Bishop Francis Noll’s decision for the new name was a reference to a statue at Holy Trinity Church in Gary of Jesus with the title, “Jesus the Consoler.” He felt that Jesus the Consoler should have a Mother of Consolation. In 1988, ground was broken for a Parish Activity Center and a new rectory. The OLC Parish Activity Center cornerstone was blessed and laid by Father Joseph Vamos and Father Louis Wozniak on October 30, 1988. The new parish center was built with a chapel, parish offices, a banquet hall with a fully-equipped kitchen, and six large classrooms. These classrooms have been used for religious education, preschool, RCIA, and small parish meetings.
St. Stephen Martyr
As the number of Catholic families in the area continued to increase in the 1960’s, the need for another church became apparent. In 1968, Bishop Grutka asked Father Lawrence Heeg to organize what would become St. Stephen Martyr. Ground was broken in May 1969, and just over a year later, the church was completed and then dedicated on the Solemnity of the Assumption, August 15, 1970. Not only did Father Heeg help start the parish, he would also help create its Men’s and Women’s Clubs as well as the Youth Group. Father Heeg would serve until Father Timothy Doody became pastor in 1976. From 1976-2000, the church had five pastors serve and after the departure of Father David Nowak in 2000, there was no resident pastor for one year. St. Stephen is nestled in the heart of a subdivision and at one point in time it had over 400 families.
In 2001 St. Stephen Martyr welcomed Merrillville native, Father Michael Maginot. As the resident pastor, Father Maginot has worked to build the family atmosphere that Bishop Grutka envisioned in the 1960’s. In fact, according to St. Stephen’s current Business Manager, Patti McLaughlin, the family-like atmosphere remains today. From the time of its inception, St. Stephen Martyr’s main mission has been focused on family. According to McLaughlin, “Everyone supports and helps each other here.” Parishioners may not be blood-related, but there is a strong sense of community and family.
St. Joan of Arc
1968 was a busy year for expansion in the Merrillville area. St. Stephen Martyr wasn’t the only church to be added as St. Joan of Arc would come into existence as well. Bishop Grutka stuck with his idea of smaller family-style parishes at the time when he organized St. Joan of Arc. The Diocese owned property on the Northeast corner of 78thAvenue and Broadway. Father Alfred Dettmer was named the first pastor of St. Joan of Arc. This church however took a while to build in many different ways. The new congregation celebrated Mass in a dime store as well as in the public high school auditorium. Subsequent pastors, Father Michael Kenny and Father Clare Hendricks felt holding Mass in these locations was inappropriate. St. Joan of Arc parishioners would be given permission to celebrate with St. Andrew until a building was created and dedicated for St. Joan of Arc on September 9, 1979. However, while a building existed for St. Joan of Arc, many other necessities inside the church still were not available. There were no pews initially, so church goers would use borrowed chairs and “hand-me-down” furniture and office equipment. Additionally, seamstresses of the parish sewed vestments and altar linen, while other people would paint, install tile, or finish other projects.
Over time and with many fundraisers and donations, the church was able to purchase furnishings as well as pay off its debt. This would not be the last time St. Joan of Arc members would have to rally together to overcome a challenge. In 2005, a fire caused significant damage to the sanctuary. With the help of surrounding parishes, the community came together to rededicate the church on October 5 of that same year.
In 2022, St. Joan of Arc was one of the three parishes to join together to worship at St. Andrew Church, now known as Holy Martyrs.
Our Journey Forward
A recurring concept throughout the history of these churches is growth, community, and teamwork with guidance from the Holy Spirit. Every one of the Merrillville parishes started small and became bigger. Some didn’t have everything they needed in the beginning, and all have faced challenges along the way. With patience and teamwork, the seeds that the first pastors and parishioners planted have sprouted, grown, and become the amazing parishes of the Merrillville community that we know and love today.
The parishes in the Diocese of Gary have been involved in a process of discernment since March 10, 2021. This decision has involved meetings of the clergy and laity from the parishes, with both representative groups and town hall meetings, resulting in recommendations from the bishop. Through this process the decision has been made to combine three parishes into one. Saints Peter & Paul, St. Andrew, and St. Joan of Arc parishes have merged into one parish, now called Holy Martyrs. The Church at St. Andrews remains open for Mass and to serve Holy Martyrs parishioners and the community. Our Lady of Consolation and St. Stephen are still open for Mass, prayer and parish activities as well. The Merrillville Process, which prayerfully discerns with a committee how to best serve the needs of Catholics and those in the community, is ongoing.
