06/23/08

St Mary’s Navilleton

Parish History

In 1845 a few Catholic settlers who were members of St Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church decided to establish their own parish at Navilleton. Land to build a Church was donated by Charles Kinberger. A log Church was built on the site of the present cemetery. Many of the founders are ancestors of the present members of the parish. The Church as dedicated under the title of The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

For several years the parish remained a mission parish and was cared for by a succession of neighboring parishes. It was in 1908 that the mission of Navilleton became a parish with a resident pastor, Rev. Herman Gadladge. However the status of being an independent parish lasted only five years. The bishop decided the parish was not ready to sustain itself as a parish, and in 1913 the parish reverted to a mission parish.

In 1935, the parish again was established as an independent parish. Father William Knapp was pastor until 1938. The parish continued to grow and had several pastors until 1948 when Father William Dorraugh was pastor until 1962. Father Edward Gayso succeeded Father Dorraugh until 1974. During 1974 and 1975 several different priests from neighboring parishes served briefly in the parish.

On December 6, 1976 Father Bernard Gerdon assumed the duties of pastor. Under his pastorate the changes in the Church decreed by the Second Vatican Council were implemented. With the help of members of the parish, a CCD program became more organized. The Blessed Virgin Shrine built by parish volunteers was blessed by Archbishop O’Meara on August 15^th, 1980.

In the year 1983, there was a growth at Navilleton. A paid professional director was hired for the CCD program. The new Activity Center was built. During this time Father Charles Berkemeier became our pastor after the retirement of Father Gerdon.

The parish again continued to grow under Father Berkemeier with the purchase of property and a building that we used as a Religious Center. A part-time Youth Ministry Coordinator was hired in 1985. Additional ground was donated to the parish for the cemetery. Father Berkemeier retired in 1995 and in 1996 Rev Tony Hubler came to our parish. The rectory became the Parish Center and the Religious Education Center then became the pastor’s residence. 

In the summer of 2003, Father Hubler retired due to health and Dan Sarell was appointed Parish Life Coordinator with Father Mike Hilderbrand assigned as Sacramental Minister.

In the spring of 2005, Father John Elmer became our pastor. The parish looks towards the future with the Universal Church to continue to provide the members of our community a home for spiritual growth and worship of God.