St. Ambrose Parish History

St. Ambrose Parish was established by formal decree on July 2, 1947 by the Most Rev. J.G. Bennett, Bishop of Lafayette, Indiana. Rev. Francis Kienly was appointed to serve as the first Pastor. Through the generosity of the Rt. Rev. Thomas Travers and the parishioners of St. Mary's, a house at 1807 Fletcher St. (used as the rectory) and ten lots on 29 th Street between Lincoln and Morton were given to St. Ambrose. In December the first parish meeting was held. An architect was chosen to plan the buildings, and five trustees were elected by geographical areas (later expanded to seven).

On October 12, 1948 Rev. Fred Potthoff became Pastor, and in the fall of the following year construction began on St. Ambrose School and Chapel (the present school building). In 1950 the house at 2812 Morton was purchased to be used as a convent for the Sisters of the Holy Cross who were to staff the school. St. Ambrose School opened on September 15, 1950 with 131 students in Grades 1-6 (7 th and 8 th were added in 1951). On October 1 st the School and Chapel building was dedicated by Bishop Bennett. The following year another house at 2817 Morton St. was purchased to serve as the Rectory (later used as the Sisters Convent, it presently houses the Kindergarten).

In the early 1950's parish chapters of the Altar Rosary Society and Holy Name Society were formed. In addition to the religious devotions and social activities of these organizations, funds were donated through various money making projects and volunteer services were provided to help the church and school. Parish youth activities (scouting, athletic programs, 4-H) were sponsored by both. The Altar Rosary Ice Cream Social became a popular annual event. The St. Ambrose Bus Association provided transportation for the school children (in later years weekly Bingo was held to provide funds for the purchase of new buses.)

In February 1953 parishioners met to discuss the need for expansion of facilities. The majority voted to build an interim basement church. The contract for construction was signed in October and excavation began soon after. A third Sunday Mass was added during the year. By 1954 the remaining four lots on the block had been purchased and the area became known as St. Ambrose Square . The newly completed Basement Church was dedicated by Bishop Bennett on August 1 st. The former chapel was renovated to make additional classroom and meeting space.

Rev. Thomas O. Heilman became Pastor on February 1, 1958 . A fourth Sunday Mass was added in August of that year. The Men's Choir grew and became more active. The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine was formed to help in the religious instruction of the children attending public school. By the end of the 1950's, school enrollment had increased to 323 students. The faculty consisted of four Sisters and three lay teachers.

In May 1960 the Most Rev. John J. Carberry, Bishop, gave permission to construct a parish hall on St. Ambrose Square . The Assembly Hall was built that year by the men of the parish, and the Blessing took place on December 11 th. The goal for early 1960's was the construction of a ground level church and rectory. The Cornerstone Laying Ceremony took place on May 2, 1962 with Bishop Carberry officiating.

St. Ambrose Church was dedicated on December 16 th by the Bishop. Ninety- six priests and monsignori were a part of the overflowing crowd in attendance. Memorial donations were recorded on a plaque in the church vestibule. The Polish Lodge presented one the side alters as a gift. The former church was renovated into a recreation area and kitchen. These new facilities made it possible to open the school cafeteria in the fall of 1963.

The season of Advent 1964 marked the first changes in the Liturgy of the Mass. Many parts were now in English, and active participation of the faithful was introduced (including the use of lectors and commentators). In the months prior to this time the communion railing was removed and the main altar moved away from the wall enabling the priest to face the congregation. During the mid 1960's a parish CYO was formed and an Ushers Club organized.

In May 1966 the Most Rev. Bishop Raymond J. Gallagher, Bishop, initiated the study of the documents of Vatican II on the diocesan level. In August 1967 an Interim School Board was formed and in the fall a series of Home Masses took place. At these gatherings the Pastoral Council concept was explained and the diocesan drafts were discussed. The first Pastoral Council Election was held in April 1968. Eight members were elected and chairmen were appointed for the Apostolates: Building and Maintenance, Com Communications, Ecumenism, Education, Family Life, Liturgy, Social Action and Youth.

Anticipated Saturday Masses began on June 13, 1970 . In the fall of that year, the 7th and 8th grades at St. Ambrose School were discontinued due to the decrease in the number of Holy Cross Sisters assigned to the parish. An Adult Choir was formed. Early in 1972 a committee was appointed to plan activities for the 10 th Anniversary Celebration. A special Mass and Open House took place on May 20 th, the Anniversary of the Laying of the Cornerstone. Other events included: golf and bowling tournaments, a card party, round-up picnic and the Dedication Anniversary Mass and Dinner on December 17 th. Most of these events were held annually through 1978.

The first issue of the parish monthly newspaper, the Ambrosian Beehive, came out in the fall of 1973. Due to the lack of vocations, the Sisters of the Holy Cross found it necessary to withdraw from St. Ambrose the following year. School resumed in September 1974 with an all lay faculty, and Kindergarten was added to the program.

Father Heilman retired on October 4, 1978 and Rev. Charles Kline became Pastor. In 1979 workshops for Commentators, Lectors and Lay Leaders were held and Lay Eucharistic Ministers began serving the parish. Six Parishioners were elected to the first Board of Education in November 1980. The Mother Seton Widows group was organized in 1981, and a series of parish renewals took place in 1983. St. Ambrose Bus Association service was discontinued with the end of the school year.

Rev. Edward Dhondt became Pastor on July 3 rd 1984 . On August 26 th the most Rev. William L. Higi, Bishop, presided at the Dedication of the New Organ. During the mid 1980's the St. Ambrose School Parents Club was formed and the parish hired a Director of Religious Education and Liturgy Director. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults was instituted during lent of 1985. Pastoral Council re-organization took place in June 1986. Apostolates were disbanded and the elected members began receiving activities in four general areas: Administration, Education-Formation, Liturgy and Social Concerns.