St. Vincent

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

Fort Wayne, IN

OUR HISTORY

One of the oldest Catholic parishes in the city of Fort Wayne began outside the city limits. Originally a country parish, St. Vincent de Paul grew to be the largest Catholic parish in Fort Wayne when the city limits eventually reached and exceeded the church on Wallen Road.

In the 1830s and 40s, French immigrants began forming communities outside the small town of Fort Wayne, building farms and homesteads within Allen County. French Canadians had already settled in northeast Indiana prior to this, but this new wave came from France itself, from regions such as Alsace-Lorraine and Besancon. Isidore Pichon was one of these prominent settlers, purchasing land at Wallen and Auburn Roads. The first Catholic community founded in Washington Township began in his home. It is believed that in 1843, Father Julian Benoit, the priest who helped establish the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and build the Church in the Fort Wayne area, said the first Mass in Pichon’s home for the fledgling Catholic community that became St. Vincent de Paul. Father Benoit also likely supervised the building of the first log chapel in 1846.

At his death, Pichon bequeathed a parcel of land to the parish. Father Francis Deschamps served as the parish’s first resident pastor in 1856 and the community grew and grew, building bigger churches as the need arose. By 1956, with the city limits encroaching on the once-rural area, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, under the leadership of then-pastor Father Lawrence Fettig, opened a school of the same name. Originally it was staffed by Sisters of St. Dominic out of Adrian, Michigan.

Today, St. Vincent de Paul Parish celebrates Mass and the sacraments in its sixth church building, a far cry from the original log chapel. For twenty-nine years, Msgr. John Kuzmich served as the parish pastor, as well as seven years prior as associate pastor, leaving a longtime legacy in the parish. The Msgr. Kuzmich Life Center is named in his honor.

Today, St. Vincent de Paul remains one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, serving the spiritual needs of more than 3,000 families. The parish’s largest ministry, St. Vincent de Paul School, educates more than 750 students each year, teaching the faith alongside traditional subjects. The parish is home to many spiritual ministries as well, including Rekindle the Fire, Kingdom Builders, Armor of God, American Heritage Girls and middle and high school youth groups, among others. It is also home to the Oratory of St. Mary Magdalene, a perpetual adoration chapel.

VIDEO PODCASTS

FR. POLYCARP FERNANDO - CHILDHOOD TO PRIESTHOOD

Fr. Polycarp is the Parochial Vicar at St. Vincents. Learn about Father’s journey from childhood in Sri Lanka to priesthood in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

~ Funding for this episode provided by FULL CIRCLE LASER & PRINT ~

GUY DUPUIS - LAY FAITHFUL

Guy is a brother-in-Christ at St. Vincents and a Fort Wayne Komets hockey legend. Enjoy his inspiring story of Faith, humility, and determination as we journey with him from his childhood to having his #2 jersey retired and permanently hung from the rafters in the Fort Wayne Coliseum.

~ Funding for this episode provided by GUADALUPE’S MEXICAN GRILL ~

FR. BRIAN ISENBARGER – CHILDHOOD TO PRIESTHOOD

Fr. Brian is the Parochial Vicar at St. Vincents. Is it possible for mischievous boys to become priests? Yes, it is. Learn about Fr. Brian’s humorous yet profound journey from childhood to priesthood.

~ Funding for this episode provided by L-A ELECTRIC ~

DEBBIE BLACKBURN – DIR. OF FAMILY FAITH FORMATION

Debbie and her family have been dedicated parishioners at St. Vincents for thirty years. In her most recent role, she leads Family Faith Formation, which is a vital part of the continued catechesis of the faithful. Could God be calling you to assist with this mission? You can learn more about Family Faith Formation in this interview.

~ Funding for this episode provided by MITCHELL LITIGATION & ADVOCACY

THE COONANS

The Coonan Family ties to St. Vincent’s can be traced all the way back to 1947. Listen to their stories about growing up as kids, then raising kids, and now having grandkids all in the supportive Catholic community of St. Vincent de Paul Parish.

~ Funding for this episode provided by GARRETT STATE BANK ~

FR. DANIEL SCHEIDT - CHILDHOOD TO PRIESTHOOD

Fr. Dan is the pastor at St. Vincent de Paul Parish. Get to know Fr. Dan more deeply as you hear about his childhood, his young adult years, and how the Lord kept calling him to the priesthood.

~ Funding for this episode provided by THE THISTLE GROUP ~