Parish History

The important details surrounding the beginnings of Saint Mary of the Woods Parish are lost with the sands of time.  However, there are some references to the fact that Father Elias Durbin and Father Charles Nerinckz visited the area for sacramental ministry in the early 1820s. Father Durbin baptized William Lanham on July 3, 1825, probably at the Lanham home in the Deserter Creek settlement to the south of present-day Whitesville.  Mass was offered in the home of Thomas Clark Hagan during this early period.  This area later became known as Hagan’s Station.

In 1833, Father John C. Wathen was appointed first pastor of Saint Lawrence and tended the faith community at Hagan’s Station as his mission.  Father Walter Coomes became pastor in 1841 and served until 1848, with the assistance of Fathers Linus Coomes and A.A. Aud.  In 1845, Richard W. Barrett donated an acre and five poles of land upon which was built a 30 X 46-foot log church, with a 14 X 20-foot addition on the back to serve as a sacristy.  The name Saint Mary of the Woods was given to this new church.

Bishop Martin John Spalding administered the Sacrament of Confirmation, in 1849, at Saint Mary, where Father Michael Coghlan was then pastor of 163 parishioners.   The names of this early community include some that are still common to the area.  Father Coughlan directed the parish in building a frame structure, to serve as a church building, in 1862.  This building was later moved from the hilltop in the current cemetery to Whitesville, where it was used as a school building from 1886-1918.

Father Charles Eggermont served as pastor from 1872-78 when Saint Mary became an independent parish.  Father Kyran W. King became the first resident pastor, in 1878, and soon began work on the “new” brick church, which was dedicated on June 8, 1884.  In 1879, the first parochial school was started; Mr. John Kelly was its first teacher.  Father John Sheridan led the community in worship in the church from 1885-87, even though the interior was not finished until Father Lawrence Ford (1887-93) arranged for its completion.  Father Ford established the mission of Saint John the Baptist in Ohio County, which grew slowly for 70 years until a parish was erected in Fordsville.

The Father Hugh O’Sullivan era (1893-1938) saw many improvements to the parish plant; a brick kiln was built on the property and used to make fire bricks to build a rectory (1898), the stables (later used as parish offices), and a new school building, completed in 1918.  This building, O’Sullivan Hall, continued to grow over the next 11 years as the school enrollment increased and more classroom space was required.  Bricks from the brick yard were sold to help pay for improvements at the parish; many buildings in Daviess and Ohio Counties can boast of having Whitesville bricks in them.

O’Sullivan Hall also served as the convent for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth who worked in the parish from 1901-90.  Other religious orders serving the community were the Franciscan Sisters (late 1880s), the Mount Saint Joseph Ursuline Sisters (1867-89), and the Benedictine Sisters (late 1980s), from Ferdinand, Indiana.

The parish rejoiced as the Diocese was established because their pastor was named Vicar General and given the dignity of Monsignor.  These honors were short-lived, however, as Monsignor O’Sullivan died on July 26, 1938.  Father Joseph Egan replaced him, temporarily, until Father William B. Jarboe was named pastor, serving until 1947.  Fathers Frank Ward, Henry O’Bryan, and Pius Edelen worked as assistant pastors during this time.  Fathers O’Bryan and Edelen continued as assistants for Father Martin Nahstoll, along with Fathers Martin Mattingly, Walter Hancock, and William J. Hagman.  Father Nahstoll led the parish in erecting a new high school building (Saint Mary High School) in 1954-55.  Father Benedict Huff became pastor in 1961, assisted by Fathers Hagman, David Warren, and William Field.  Under Father Huff’s administration, the current grade school building was completed in 1965.  Father Charles Fischer succeeded Father Huff and ushered in the establishment of Trinity High School, which serves the parishes of Eastern Daviess County: Saint Mary of the Woods, Saint William, and Saint Lawrence.  Father Fischer was helped by Fathers William Field, Lewis White, Phillip Field, Phillip Thomas, Frank Roof, Jerry Riney, and Carroll Wheatly, who later taught at Trinity.

A newly-formed booster club raised funds to build a gym, in which the first basketball game was played on November 19, 1971.  It was also during this year that school boards were established for both schools, and a parish pastoral council was formed to assist in the task of leading the parish community.  A dining room was added to the rectory in 1976.

Father Charles Philip Riney assumed the duties of pastor in 1976, assisted by Fathers Carroll Wheatly, Jerry Riney, John Meredith and Raymond Goetz.  On October 6, 1978, the fourth church building was blessed and dedicated.  Father Stephen Dunn succeeded him, in 1983, with the help of Fathers Jerry Baker; William Hagman; Anthony Bickett; Severin Messick, O.S.B; and Larry McBride.  In 1986, O’Sullivan Hall was dismantled.

Sister Ann Legeay, S.C.N. came to work as a parish minister in 1980 and was influential in getting a senior citizen center program started in the community.  Sister Terri O’Sullivan, O.S.U. worked as parish minister (1986-88) and was succeeded by Sister Brenda Engleman, O.S.B. who worked as pastoral associate (1988-90).  She was followed by Sister Mary Sheila Higdon, O.S.U., who also served as Director of Religious Education.  In 1989, Mr. Dan Fuller was named principal of Trinity High School; in 1990, Mr. James Boro was named first lay principal for Saint Mary of the Woods School.  Father Joseph Mills came as interim pastor during the spring.

In June 1989, Father Louis F. Piskula was named pastor, and Father Len Arcilesi came as his associate.  Father William Hagman continued to be in residence, serving special duties, as needed, around the diocese.  Also assisting Father Piskula were Father Richard Cash and Father Bruce McCarty.

In 1990, the Longtrail stable was extensively renovated to accommodate the parish office and meeting rooms, and the rectory first floor was remodeled into living space for the clergy.  The church roof was replaced with slate and copper flashing in 1991, and repairs were made to the rectory roof in spring of 1992.  Father Richard L. Cash served as part-time associate for the parish and part-time religion teacher at Trinity High School (1990-92).  Mrs. Katie Williams was named as interim principal of Trinity High School in 1991.  In 1992, Mr. John Calhoun was named principal of both Trinity High School and Saint Mary of the Woods School.  Father Bruce McCarty was appointed associate pastor, in 1992, with special duties to Trinity High School.

In 1994, Father Kevin Osborne was named pastor with Father William Hagman in residence.  Monsignor Bernard Powers was named pastor in 1995; his assistants were Father William Hagman and Father Richard Cash.  In 1994-95, a computer lab was added to the grade school.

In 1995, The Passionist Nuns of St. Joseph Monastery moved from Owensboro to Whitesville and became neighbors to the parish. Deep in the wooded serenity of 170 acres of Whitesville Kentucky, they continue the Passionist contemplative life begun in Italy by the greatest mystic of the 18th century, St. Paul of the Cross.

Father Richard Powers was named pastor in 1996; his associates were Fathers Maury Riney (1996), Brian Roby (1998), Mike Williams (2000), and Randy Howard (2001).  Lay leadership, on parish staff, included Pat Rumage (Administrative Assistant) followed by Doris Parks (1999), Sr. Clarita Browning (Director of Religious Education- 1996), Lane Rhodes (Business Manager- 1999), Brett Ballard (Director of Music- 2000) who was followed by Ray Caluag (2003), Joe Bland (Youth Minister- 2002), and Chris Bickwermert (Director of Maintenance-1994).

In 1995, Mr. Steve Winkler was named principal of both Trinity High School and Saint Mary of the Woods School.  Mr. Mike Clark was named principal of both Trinity High School and Saint Mary of the Woods School in 2000; a group of students from Trinity High School and the parish, under the leadership of Fathers Richard Powers and Brian Roby, visited Rome to celebrate World Youth Day 2000 for the Jubilee Year.  In 2002, Dr. Don Ralph replaced Mr. Clark as principal of both schools.

The former rectory was demolished in April 2000 to make way for the new parish center, including the parish hall and parish offices, which was built immediately afterward.  The priests lived in a nearby home, provided by the Beyke family, until the new rectory was completed in February 2003.  Longtrail was torn down in October 2004 to make room for more parking; the new parish offices were incorporated into the new parish hall.

Father Pat Bittel was named pastor in 2003; his associate was Ralph Patterson (2003).  Lay leadership, on parish staff, included Lane Rhodes (Business Manager), Doris Parks (Administrative Assistant), Deborah Hopkins (Director of Religious Education- 2004), Joe Bland (Youth Minister), Carol Sloan (Music Director-2005) and Chris Bickwermert (Director of Maintenance).  In 2004, Mr. Bill Hagan was named principal of both the high school and the elementary school.  In 2006, Ms. Allison Brant was named principal of Saint Mary of the Woods School, and Mr. Bill Hagan retained his position as principal of the high school.  During this time, a gazebo was placed between the church and the parish hall, and a prayer garden was added to the grounds, next to the Grade School.  Many people donated memorial markers and statues to the garden, usually in memory of their deceased loved ones.

In 2007, Father David Johnson was appointed pastor.  Lay leadership, on parish staff, included Lane Rhodes (Business Manager), Sharon Coomes (Administrative Assistant- 2007), Joe Bland (Youth Minister), Sr. Karla Marie Kaelin, OSU (Director of Religious Education- 2008), and Chris Bickwermert (Director of Maintenance).  In late 2008, two computer labs were updated in the high school.  In 2009, Sister Suzanne Sims was named principal of St. Mary of the Woods School.  In 2010, Trinity High School established the Traveling Classroom, starting a tradition of taking students to other parts of the world “to walk in the footsteps of saints.”  As of 2019, 86 students have participated.

In 2011, Mrs. Connie Morgan was named principal of Trinity High School.  Angels for Ashley, a fund-raising group named in honor of parishioner Ashley Johnson, established the Alumni and Friends Barbecue Cookoff.  The first event took place at the fairgrounds, but soon moved to the home of Vickie and Jerry Morris.  The event brings alumni together each year and is a significant source of aid for the school.  In 2011, Trinity High School began celebrating Veterans Day with relatives of the students and members of the parish who had served in the military.  The breakfasts started out small, in the home economics room, but were quickly moved to the parish hall, due to increased popularity and attendance.  In 2017, the event incorporated both schools, included all the students, and provided patriotic songs performed by students from St. Mary of the Woods.

In 2012, Father Gerald Baker returned to St. Mary of the Woods as pastor; his associates were Fathers Ken Geraci (2012), John Broussard (2014) and James Walling (2015).  Lay leadership, on parish staff, included Lane Rhodes (Business Manager), Sharon Coomes (Administrative Assistant), Joe Bland (Youth Minister and Director of Religious Education) followed by DeeAnna Wathen (Youth Minister and Director of Religious Education- 2014), David Morris (Director of Music- 2016) and Chris Bickwermert (Director of Maintenance).  Lots of updates were made to the church and school buildings during this time.  The church updates included refurbishing Church statues, a new altar and ambo, the addition of altar angels, and decorative and automated doors; the offices of the high school were repurposed, remodeled, and redecorated; the restrooms were updated; the hallway lighting was changed; and the Veterans Wall was added.

In 2013, Mr. Ron Williams was named principal of Trinity High School.

In 2013, the parish convocation included meetings of the parishioners to ask for input about the direction of the parish and the schools.  Those meetings resulted in long-range pastoral planning.  The schools hired a Director of Admissions and Development and focused on branding the school.  New school logos were introduced in November 2013.  One of the most significant results of the convocation was the establishment of perpetual adoration at St. Mary of the Woods Church.

On May 21, 2014, the Passionist Nuns of St. Joseph Monastery, Whitesville, launched a Catholic Radio Station, WJOR-  Jesus Our Redeemer Radio, in service to the good people of Whitesville.  The hardware is housed at St. Mary of the Woods Church.

In 2016, Fr. Brian J. Roby returned to St. Mary of the Woods and serves as the current pastor; his associates have included Father James Walling (2016), Father Michael Charles Ajigo Abiero (2017), Father Jamie Dennis (2018), Father Jude Okeoma (2020), and Fr. Ramesh Babu (2023).  Lay leadership, on the parish staff, includes Lane Rhodes (Business Manager) followed by Seth Dant (2018), followed By Debbie Aud (2021), Sharon Coomes (Administrative Assistant) followed by Debbie Aud (2017) followed by Sara Schrecker (2021), Carrie Howard (Director of Religious Education- 2016) followed by Joe Bland (2019) and Emily Gipson (2022), Jessica Bennett (Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry- 2019) followed by Ethan Rhodes (2021) followed by Johnny Sherfick (2023), David Morris (Director of Music), Chris Bickwermert (Director of Maintenance) followed by Emett Barnett (2018) followed by Keith Morris (2023), and Janetta Booker (Director of the St. Mary of the Woods Horn Community Center- 2017) followed by Chris Tyson (2019), followed by Renee Boehman (2021).

One of the most significant updates to the parish, during this time, was the erection of the new Horn Community Center.  Trinity graduate Mike Horn offered a substantial donation to the project, and the community worked to raise the rest of the necessary funds.  The prayer garden and playground equipment were moved in early 2016, and work was begun on the new gym.  In February 2017, a Thanks for the Memories event was celebrated in the old gym, affectionately referred to as “The Barn.”  In March 2017, the new facility opened to great fanfare.  Many community members came out to celebrate the ribbon cutting, proud of the magnificent new building they helped to make possible.  The playground equipment was moved to the side of St. Mary of the Woods School, where the parking lot was formerly located, and items from the prayer garden were resituated beside the church building and within the landscaping around the gazebo.

In 2016, Mrs. Emily Hernandez became the first Saint Mary of the Woods graduate to take over as principal of Saint Mary of the Woods School.

In May 2017, Trinity High School’s 50th graduating class celebrated their graduation in the new Saint Mary of the Woods Horn Community Center.  In 2017, Mrs. Emily Hernandez became principal for both the grade school and the high school; she was a graduate from both schools.  Mr. Ben Morris, also a SMW and Trinity graduate, assumed assistant principal duties.

After a break-in in early 2018, Trinity High School and Saint Mary of the Woods School updated their security systems.  Later in 2018, the flooring was updated in the church building, and new roofing was added to both schools and the rectory.  Over a series of several weekends, community members came forward to volunteer their time and talent in replacing the roofs.  In January 2019, volunteers came forth again to update the drainage system and sidewalk around the high school.  Later in 2019, Mrs. Jill Payne and Mr. Nathan West were named Assistant Principals to St. Mary of the Woods School and Trinity High School.

On Sunday, August 15, 2021, the parish, under the leadership of Fr. Brian J. Roby, celebrated its 175^th anniversary a year late due to the Covid 19 pandemic.  On Saturday evening, August 14, 2021, the parish celebrated with an anniversary jamboree on the front lawn of the parish hall.  The evening showcased lots of local music talent.  The parish council hosted a cookout for all the guests with nearly 400 people in attendance.  On Sunday, August 15, 2021, the parish celebrated an anniversary Mass in the Horn Community Center with Most Rev. William F. Medley presiding.  It was estimated that nearly 800 people were in attendance.  The anniversary Mass was followed by a barbeque luncheon in the Horn Community Center as well as the Parish Hall.  Two additional highlights, of the 175^th anniversary, included the publication of a new historical pictorial directory and the restoration of the church’s stained-glass windows which were originally created for the third church building dedicated in 1884.

Faced with aging school buildings, escalating maintenance costs for both facilities, growth in enrollment, and a lack of space to keep up with the current demands, the parish was faced with the reality of needing to respond.  In February, 2023, our parish conducted a feasibility study to determine whether we had the support to build a new school.  The conclusion of that comprehensive study revealed overwhelming support.  Parishioners clearly communicated they believed building a new school was our best alternative going forward.  With the findings of the feasibility study, the diocese gave our parish the green light to proceed with a capital campaign to raise $12 Million for a new school that will house both St. Mary of the Woods School and Trinity High School.

Over the years, there have been various ministries, programs, and organizations, as well as countless unnamed persons who have contributed to the life and growth of this parish; The Total Abstinence Society, Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Saint Vincent de Paul, Catholic Family Movement, Altar Society, Cursillo, Army of Mary, Parish Renewal Weekends, Marriage Encounters, Teens Encounter Christ, Engaged Encounters, Block Rosaries, Renew, Scripture Study, to name but a few that have offered approaches and tools for growth of segments of the parish.  In February 1992, the entire parish embarked on a stewardship process, allowing the Word of God to confront the way in which we live and share our time, talent, and treasure in all aspects of our life.  Today, in 2019, the parish has oversight of nearly 100 ministries with approximately 850 families committed to a life of Stewardship.

The faith community begins to grow, through the efforts and generosity of many dedicated persons, and by the grace of God.  The vision of our ancestors has sparked a flame of faith whose torch has been handed on to us who run the course of history.  Our challenge is to run the race well, with the flame of faith alive in our hearts, and to pass along that burning desire to attain an everlasting place in God’s kingdom.  Our prayer is that our efforts, however small and meager, may in some way bring others closer to our loving God.