St. Rupert 150th Anniversary
28-30 August 2015

(812) 897-4653
1244 West Red Brush Rd. Newburgh, IN 47630
 St. Rupert Catholic Church in Red Brush celebrated its 150th Anniversary this past weekend August 28 – 30. St. Rupert’s is located at 1244 W. Red Brush Rd, Newburgh, Indiana and sits nestled deep in the wooded countryside near Pigeon Creek.

  Festivities kicked-off on Friday evening with a welcome and social mixer. Saturday afternoon included games and bounce house activities for children who attended. Musical entertainment provided by “George & The Boys” preceded dedication of the Gab House Memorial prayer garden at 6:30 PM. Following that dedication a night of recollection and remembrance of the past was conducted in the social hall. Attendees were treated to a presentation by Mr. Kenneth E. Barnes who is the author of “Life on Pigeon Creek”. His presentation offered a contemporary look back at the local area and contributed greatly to the mood of reminiscence.

  Activities on Sunday began with a tour of the cemetery. Bishop Charles Thompson, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Evansville, Bishop Emeritus Gerald Gettelfinger, and the Arch Abbot Right Reverend Justin DuVall, OSB of St. Meinrad Abbey arrived in a horse drawn white carriage to a warm welcome from the pastor Reverend Lowell Will and parishioners past and present. The Anniversary mass was con celebrated by the aforementioned along with Fathers Ken Herr, Ron Kreilein, Ted Tempel and Joseph Ziliak with deacons Thomas Lambert and Tim Cox before a congregation of approximately 300. During his homily Bishop Thompson spoke knowledgably of the history of St. Rupert and cited the close link between the Abbey at St. Meinrad and St. Rupert’s church. That shared link is through Father (later Bishop) Marty Martin who founded both institutions. 

Indiana State Senator Ron Bacon, attended and made a presentation of an Indiana State Proclamation acknowledging the anniversary to pastor Father Lowell Will. And Mr. Leon Nash read a similar proclamation from the Warrick County commissioners.

Following Mass there was a Dinner offered to approximately 400 along with more fellowship and celebration. Eleanora Lathery, the oldest member of St. Rupert Parish, carved the first piece of cake from one of three large sheet cakes.