St Paul’s parish was founded in 1834 with the
completion of a log church. The first pastor was
Father Ferneding from Germany. He was a
missionary for German speaking Catholics of
Louisville, Vincennes, Indianapolis and all other
settlements in the area. After meeting two German
speaking settlers one from Yorkville and the other
Blue Creek, Father Ferneding promised to visit
the people regularly if they would build a church.
Land was purchased immediately and the church
was built.

The log church was blessed in 1835 by Bishop
Brute, Bishop of the Diocese of “the wilderness
of Vincennes”. Being touch by a parishioners’ song,
Bishop Brute promised $500.00 for the erection of
a log church. The present brick church was begun
in 1837 and dedicated in 1838 by Bishop Brute,
and is believed to be the only church still standing
used as a church dedicated by the Bishop.

Father Ferneding, staying true to his missionary
calling, also helped start many of the other parishes
of surrounding areas. However, in 1942 with
complications in founding St Joseph’s parish in
St Leon, Father Ferneding returned to the Cincinnati
Archdiocese and began establishing parishes in the
Cincinnati area.

Pioneer pastors came and went over the next four
years. In 1846 Father Martin Stahl became pastor
and remained until his death in 1853. Father Stahl
was also in charge of two missions, one St Leon
and one at Lawrenceburg. During his pastorate,
Father Stahl organized the parish at Yorkville,
and it was dedicated in 1852 after his patron saint,
St Martin. Even with the loss of membership from
Yorkville parishioners, St Paul Church was too
small and an addition was built in 1851.

Father Stahl died of tuberculosis and was buried
under the sanctuary of St Paul Church. His grave
is situated almost directly below the small altar
upon which the Mass is celebrated today.

In 1863 the church again had plans for enlargement
and the addition of the steeple. In 1885 the work
was finished and three new bells were placed in
the steeple. The smallest bell is dedicated to the
Blessed Virgin, one larger bell to St Peter the
Apostle, and the other in honor of St Paul, the
patron saint.

In 1890, Father Merkl arrived at St Paul. Under his
administration, debt from previous expansions was
paid, new expansions took place, and beautification
of the parish grounds took place. Father Merkl, who
had been sickly when appointed to St Paul, was also
instrumental in bringing the first telephone system
to the area. He was pastor at St Paul for twenty-five
years, the longest of any priest in the history of
the parish.

In 1915, Father Pohl became the next pastor of
St Paul. During his twelve year pastorate, he
accomplished many improvements for the parish,
including the erection of the present school building.

The following pastors also contributed greatly
to the parish. Father Sermersheim served during
the depression years and struggle to reduce the
remaining debt from the new school. Father
Weinzapfel oversaw the construction of the
gymnasium, a new kitchen for the school and
storage area. Father Bloemke served from 1956
to 1966 and had the churches artwork restored.

In 1966, Father William Engbers was appointed
pastor of St Paul. During his pastorate he organized
the Catholic Youth Organization, built the connecting
building containing restrooms between the school
and the gym, and oversaw the restoration of the
church including a new cross on steeple. Father
Engbers was also instrumental in keeping St Paul
as a parochial school during redistricting in 1973.

In 1990 Father William Turner came to the parish
and remained until May of 2004. While Father Turner
was pastor at St. Paul he resided at St. Martin’s
in Yorkville. In 2001, he was appointed priest
moderator and sacramental minister at St. Mary-
of-the-Rock, Franklin County, along with his pastoral
duties at both St. Martin’s and St. Paul’s parishes.

The current pastor at St. Paul’s is Father Harold
Rightor. Father Rightor is currently continuing
in the duties of pastor at both St. Martin’s and
St. Paul’s and priest moderator and sacramental
minister, St. Mary-of-the-Rock.

For a more detailed history of St Paul’s Parish,
please contact St Paul’s parish at 812-623-3408.