A Brief History of St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church
1945 – The Lafayette Diocese approves a mission parish in Zionsville. The first Mass is held at the home of the Urban Weitzels, where five families and guests totaling twelve people attended. Religious Education classes begin.
1948 – Property is purchased at 2nd Street and Sycamore Street and named St. Alphonsus Liguori, honoring the Seventeenth Century founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, later known as the Redemptorists, Alphonsus was a brilliant lawyer, artist, musician, composer, poet and theologian.
1962 – Property at the present Oak Street location is purchased.
1963 – The Church is dedicated on Trinity Sunday.
1970s – A Parish Council formed composed of parishioners to assist the priest. Eucharistic ministers are also established and an adult choir is formed, A Men’s Club is established to be followed by a Ladies Club, both contribute time, talent and treasure to the church.
1972 – The parish receives its first permanent priest, Father David Douglas.
1973 – Weitzel Hall is constructed along with a rectory, administrative office, storage barn, play area and picnic grounds.
1980 – 400 families now constitute the parish membership.
1984 – Father Mel Bennet is appointed pastor of St. Alphonsus. Father John Kinney, Father Anthony Prozen are assigned to be in residence. John Hartnedy is appointed as Permanent Deacon.
1986 – St. Alphonsus undergoes renovation and the liturgical ministries of cantors and sacristans are established.
1989 – Father Douglas McCormack and Deacon William Cloud are appointed to the church and the outside Stations of the Cross are installed.
1989 – The church has grown to 540 Catholic families.
1990s – The church enters it Renew Program. Weitzel Hall is redecorated in 1994.
1996 – This year brings a new rectory and the former rectory is converted into business offices for the church. In 1998 a five year plan is developed to accommodate the parish growth, which by the late 90s has grown to 689 families. The plan is entitled, “Beyond the Millennium.”.
1998 – presented a revived Parish Festival, and in 1999 a Knights of Columbus Council is formed and names “Our Lady of Perpetual Help”, the Meditation or Mary Garden is dedicated.
2000 – The ladies of St. Alphonsus form WINGS (Women in God’s Spirit), and Father Dave Hellman is assigned to be in residence at St. Alphonsus.
2001 – 800 families now constituted the parish membership and the church continues to grow.
2002 – The Christ Renews His Parish program begins and continues to the present.
2003 – The decision is finalized to construct a new church to accommodate the ever-increasing needs of the parish and the membership responds with the needed support.
2004 – St. Alphonsus dedicates the new church with appropriate ceremonies and celebration.
2006 – Father Dennis O'Keeffe is appointed pastor of St. Alphonsus.
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