St Alphonsus Catholic Church

St. Alphonsus' Catholic Church was built in 1854 by Rev. Walter Coombs on land donated by John Rodman. Mr. Coombs was a very zealous clergyman, and at that time the only priest in the county. Mass was first offered up by Rev. John Boyle, who was stationed at St. Raphael's Church, and served at St. Alphonsus' Church once a month for two years. After he left, Rev. Eugene O'Callaghan officiated. He was a good and zealous man, never failing to fill his appointments. He served this church once a month for four years, being at that time stationed at Owensboro. In 1861 the Rev. Ivo Schacht was sent to St. Alphonsus by Rev. Martin Spalding as the first resident pastor. He enlarged the old church building, which had become too small, and purchased a lot from James Glenn and built St. Joseph's Female Academy which was occupied by the Sisters of Loretto, of Marion County, Ky. It was a frame building and was accidentally burned in 1870. Mr. Schacht was succeeded by Rev. Charles Eggermont, and during his administration the old frame church was burned. He immediately made arrangements to build the present brick church, but before its completion, he was called to fill a professorship at St. Joseph's College at Bardstown, Kentucky. Rev. Paul Yolk, took his place. He finished the church building, and rebuilt St. Joseph's Academy, which was later occupied by the Ursuline nuns. The church is 84 x 45 feet, and has a graceful spire. It is situated fifteen miles southwest of Owensboro, and there was a membership of about 1,200 in 1883. A beautiful cemetery adjoins the church. This part of Daviess County is settled almost entirely by Catholics, and it is a remarkable fact that during a period of more than twelve years not a murder has been committed by a member of this church. The following is a list of all the priests that have served this church:

• Revs. E. J. Durbin, from 1825 to 1831
• John Wathen, 1831 to 1837
• Walter Coombs, 1837 to l846
• Athanasius Aud, 1846 to 1848
• John Boyle, 1848 to 1850
• Eugene Callaghan, 1850 to 1861* Ivo Schacht, 1861 to 1864
• Charles Eggermont, 1864 to 1870
• Paul Yolk, 1870 to the present time
• Rev. Michael Coghlan, of Ireland, 1848 to 1871

The members belonging to St. Alphousus' Church are all Americans, coming chiefly from Marion, Nelson and Washington counties, whose ancestors came from Maryland. The baptismal registers show that from 1861 to 1881, 900 infants have been baptized in this congregation. Children all receive a good Christian education in the district school.