November 8, 2024

‘Deep roots’ of St. Bernard Parish in Frenchtown reach back 175 years

This undated photo depicts two St. Bernard Parish church structures in Frenchtown. The church at left, built in 1881, was damaged by lightning in 1886. The structure at right, built in 1894, is the parish’s current church, although the steeple has since been shortened and a connected parish hall has been added. Between the two churches is the former rectory. (Submitted photo)

This undated photo depicts two St. Bernard Parish church structures in Frenchtown. The church at left, built in 1881, was damaged by lightning in 1886. The structure at right, built in 1894, is the parish’s current church, although the steeple has since been shortened and a connected parish hall has been added. Between the two churches is the former rectory. (Submitted photo)

By Natalie Hoefer

St. Bernard Parish in Frenchtown celebrated its 175th anniversary this year.

Originally named Little St. Louis, Frenchtown was settled—not surprisingly—by French families in the 1840s. Many of them were accompanied or encouraged to come by a Catholic man named Louis Theodore Henriott. Priests from parishes in Vincennes, St. Croix and Lanesville traveled to minister to the French Catholics of the town, with Henriott’s home serving as the site for celebrating the Mass.

St. Bernard Parish was founded in 1849 with the construction of a log church. A second church was built in 1881 and blessed in November of that year by Bishop Silas M. Chatard.

Temporary repairs were made after lightning struck the church in 1886. A third church—the current structure—was completed in 1894.

The parish celebrated its 175th anniversary with a catered dinner on Aug. 10.

“St. Bernard’s congregation is blessed with parishioners from all age groups who have deep roots in the larger community,” said Father Aaron Pfaff, the New Albany Deanery parish’s pastor. “They volunteer with neighboring churches in serving meals to the needy, assist at local food pantries and donate prayer shawls to people in the greater community in special need of prayer.

“It always impresses and humbles me that our congregation has not only celebrated our faith for 175 years, but that many of our families’ histories reach back to the founding of our parish. It’s humbling to build on their past, strengthen their faith in the present and preserve it for untold generations to come.” †

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