PARISH HISTORY

Fifty years ago on May 6, 1952, forty-eight members of the newly formed Holy Redeemer Parish met with their Pastor, Father Lawrence Moll at St. Anthony School Cafeteria. The Catholic Diocese of Evansville purchased 6.8 acres of land on Mill road for the purpose of building a church and a school. A steering committee was formed and construction on the first church, a steel frame structure, was completed in November, 1952.

Work then began on a temporary rectory which was completed in December, 1952. The parish grew rapidly, and within two years it was evident that there was a great need for a school. Less than two years later, on September 10, 1956, the doors of Holy Redeemer School were opened to 279 students. Three of the rooms in the school also serviced as living quarters for the first teaching staff, five Sisters from the Order of St. Benedict of Ferdinand, Indiana.

By the fall of 1958, enrollment had reached 400 students, and the need for more classroom space as well as a larger place for worship led to plans for a new convent and auditorium church. The new convent was completed in September, 1959. The new church, with a capacity of 650, was completed in February, 1960. As the parish experienced growth in numbers and buildings, growth as a parish community was also taking place. Holy Name Society, Altar Society, St. Vincent dePaul Society, and a Catholic Youth Organization were some of the ministries started during this time.

In 1962, four new classrooms were added, and the original church was converted into two classrooms. Student enrollment reached its highest peak during the 1967-68 school year at nearly 700 students. A new bi-level home was built as a rectory in 1970. Part of this building remains today, currently housing a school library and pre-school.

In 1986, a feasibility committee was formed to study the need for a new church. A Fund Drive began in 1989 to raise the $2,200,000 needed, and the present church was dedicated by Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger on April 11, 1992. Also at this time the former church was converted to the Activity Center. New ministries were formed as needs were identified, in the Neighborhood Apostolate program, Parish Nurse, and the Parish Host and Hostess program.

With continued growth on the North side of Evansville, the parish council formed a task force in 1998 who sought parishioner input as to the future needs of Holy Redeemer Parish. Out of this study, Forward in Faith was established in 1999 to provide present and future generations the physical space needed to carry out the ever growing ministries of our parish. A Pre-School program was established, and in 1999, two portable classrooms were purchased to temporarily ease the overcrowding in the school building.

New ministries continued to grow, with the Knights of Columbus council formed, Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP), and Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS). Presently, serving 1,147 families in the parish, 176 religious education students and 298 school students. Holy Redeemer Parish has reached 80% in capital campaign pledges of the total $4,000,000 needed to make Forward in Faith a reality.

During 2002, our Golden Jubilee year, we broke ground for our building expansion and we will continue what the 48 charter members started 50 years ago, to provide the Catholic community of the North Side of Evansville a place to worship, serve, and learn, in the name of our most Holy Redeemer.