Lawrenceburg
Indiana
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Saint Lawrence Catholic Church
Church History
Though St. Lawrence Church wasn't formally established until 1842, the roots of our church can be traced back to 1840.
During the first few years, Masses and other services were held in the founding family's homes. Priests from neighboring parishes would come to Lawrenceburg to say Mass. The practice of priests visiting St. Lawrence to say Mass would last until 1866.
In 1842 a plot of land, not too far from our existing church, was deeded to the Bishop. On this plot of land the first Catholic Church in Lawrenceburg was built. Construction of our first church was completed in 1847. It was a stone structure measuring 60 feet long by 40 feet wide, and served the needs of our early parishioners until 1867. Reverend Clement Scheve became St. Lawrence's first resident pastor in 1866.
He immediately saw the need for a larger church. Father Scheve purchased the land and construction on our present day church was started. It was completed in the spring of 1867. The bell from the original church was hung in the steeple. Later that summer, the original bell was retired because a new bell weighing 3500 lbs was purchased. During the 1990s the original bell was found, still in the steeple. It was restored and now its ring calls our parishioners to church on special occasions.
In February 1882 the first serious flood in 50 years struck the area. The flood waters crested six inches beneath the floor of the church. Though the inside of the church was spared, there was much property damage. Waters from the Ohio would reach our church four more times with the Ohio river cresting inside of the church each time. The floods were in 1883, 1884, 1913, and 1937; the most serious being the flood of 37 when the water crested 26 feet deep inside of church. With each flood the parishioners pulled together giving of their time, talents, and treasure to restore St. Lawrence to its original splendor.
In the early part of the 20th century Father Kreis took the initiative to build St. Lawrence a modern school. After nine years of fund raising, planning and construction the school and convent for the Franscian nun, who would teach the students, opened in the fall of 1927. Over the years the school has been added on to several times, most recently being in 2003 with the addition of four classrooms and the Father Jack Hartzer multi-purpose room.
Though St. Lawrence Church wasn't formally established until 1842, the roots of our church can be traced back to 1840.
During the first few years, Masses and other services were held in the founding family's homes. Priests from neighboring parishes would come to Lawrenceburg to say Mass. The practice of priests visiting St. Lawrence to say Mass would last until 1866.
In 1842 a plot of land, not too far from our existing church, was deeded to the Bishop. On this plot of land the first Catholic Church in Lawrenceburg was built. Construction of our first church was completed in 1847. It was a stone structure measuring 60 feet long by 40 feet wide, and served the needs of our early parishioners until 1867. Reverend Clement Scheve became St. Lawrence's first resident pastor in 1866.
He immediately saw the need for a larger church. Father Scheve purchased the land and construction on our present day church was started. It was completed in the spring of 1867. The bell from the original church was hung in the steeple. Later that summer, the original bell was retired because a new bell weighing 3500 lbs was purchased. During the 1990s the original bell was found, still in the steeple. It was restored and now its ring calls our parishioners to church on special occasions.
In February 1882 the first serious flood in 50 years struck the area. The flood waters crested six inches beneath the floor of the church. Though the inside of the church was spared, there was much property damage. Waters from the Ohio would reach our church four more times with the Ohio river cresting inside of the church each time. The floods were in 1883, 1884, 1913, and 1937; the most serious being the flood of 37 when the water crested 26 feet deep inside of church. With each flood the parishioners pulled together giving of their time, talents, and treasure to restore St. Lawrence to its original splendor.
In the early part of the 20th century Father Kreis took the initiative to build St. Lawrence a modern school. After nine years of fund raising, planning and construction the school and convent for the Franscian nun, who would teach the students, opened in the fall of 1927. Over the years the school has been added on to several times, most recently being in 2003 with the addition of four classrooms and the Father Jack Hartzer multi-purpose room.