St. Mary Church
Our History
1888 – First Mass in the clothing shop Frederick Fife.
-Father Plaster (pastor of St. Joseph’s church in Hammond) renting the Todd’s Opera House for Sunday Mass.
1890 – October 26th is dedicated naming the church as Bishop Dwenger first pastor the Rev. FG Lentz.
1891– January 26th Michael Bryne is appointed as parish priest by the Bishop Dwenger.
1893 – The panic of empty cities this year to close the church and the faithful are served in churches in Hammond St. Joseph and St. Casimir.
1897 – St. Mary becomes like a mission from Hammond first attended by the Rev. Henry Kapell and subsequently by the Rev. George Lauer, the two assistants of Father Plaster.
1899 – The bishop of the diocese of Ft. Wayne, saw the need in Santa aria and appointed as parish priest Fr. Lauer resident in March of that year.
1899 – First start reconstruction work by Father Lauer given the deplorable state in which the facility is located.
1901 – Prepare four rooms for a school that would take in charge of the Sisters of Providence, with 170 students in 6 different degrees.
1903 – They leave graduate with honors seven first complete school and since then no longer allowed to give the young city (over a thousand) well blessed and prepare in their academic and Catholic education by obtaining values that still exist in many of the people in East Chicago thanks to the sacrifice and devotion of the Sisters of Providence and the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, who taught and conducted during the years in which the Parish School was in existence.
1913 – Father Lauer given the increase in school enrollment is the need to erect a school building bigger. He also built a rectory and a house for the Sisters.
1916 – Moves the church facing 144th Street, is greatly extended and is covered with a layer of brick.
1921 – The solid foundation of Catholicism in East Chicago was the crown of the work of Father Lauer who remodeled the church founded the school in 1901 and in 1921 began the Catholic Central High School. Well remembered as a pastor in his 24 years of work in Santa Maria.
1923 – Father Edward Werling as pastor happens to Lauer. In his four years as pastor, Father Werling built a new rectory and completely remodeled convent of the Sisters. It increased significantly as the number of souls who had mass increased more on Sunday.
1927 – His Excellence Bishop John F. Noll picked to succeed the Rev. Edward Werling Vurpillant. Man of great energy who used to perform a new sacristy, a redecoration of the interior of the church also increasing its seating capacity. Charity Vurpillant father was rich and well known and remembered by all parishioners. He remained as pastor for eight years.
1935 – On Sept. 12th the Rev. Michael F. Shea takes over as pastor at St. Mary. He left the church remodeled in excellent condition inside and installing and altar liturgy. Was noted for his great kindness and good manners that he conveyed to all their parishioners. Great athlete established a football team and basketball. Santa Maria drove the groups of Boy Scouts.
1946 – Establishes the Home and School Association and St. Mary begins the book loan program (book rental). Father Shea frequented union meetings to see firsthand the problems that arose in his parishioners.
1950 – Pope Pius XII raised to very Reverend Monsignor Father Shea.
1956 – Father Shea celebrated his 45th anniversary of his ordination. In August of that year, he died of a heart attack. Be remembered as a fatherly priest to his parishioners felt “special”.
1956 – He is succeeded as pastor after the death of Monsignor Shea, Rev. Carl Holsinger. Repaired and decorated the parish house. For the safety of children is built around emergency exits in the front of the school building. New toilets were installed for the school. Holsinger’s father left the parish in 1965.
1965 – Monsignor John Charlebois September 1 comes to Santa Maria. Completely renovated the church of Santa Maria.
1966 – Faithful of the parish led by father Charlebois completely remodeled the convent of the sisters and the school hall. In September 1966 Bishop St. Mary leaves.
1966 – Father Stephen Vrabely arrives as pastor to the church of Santa Maria and continued in that position until April 1969.
1969 – The rev. Joseph E. Till took over as pastor of St. Mary. Already a priest celebrated its 25th anniversary this order. Once again remodeled the church of Santa Maria and remodeling during the Mass performed in the school hall. He started the annual festival of Santa Maria. Till Father left St. Mary in 1975 to continue his work as pastor in the parish of St. John the evangelist in San Juan, Texas.
1975 – Arrived as pastor the Rev. Robert P. Gehring with his guide the renovation and redecoration of the church was completed. Cleaned up the financials accounts of the parish through the annual sale of orange.
