St. Leon in Dearborn County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

St. Joseph Catholic Church

Photographed by Tom Bosse, April 3, 2024

1. St. Joseph Catholic Church Marker

Inscription. On May 9, 1841, Bp. De la Hallandiere gave permission to build the first Catholic Chapel at St. Joe Town. With the establishment of a post office, the town was named St. Leon. The first chapel, made of logs, was where the crucifix stands in the cemetery.

Most of the early parishioners were German immigrants. If a priest was unavailable, the faithful walked 6-7 miles carrying small children to neighboring churches to attend Mass.

The Cornerstone of the present church was laid in 1859. This 120’ x 58’ building had an original steeple 120’ high. The tower bells are: Joseph, tone A 580 lbs.; Mary, tone C 577 lbs.; Gabriel, tone E 342 lbs.: and Anna, tone A 196 lbs.

The church was consecrated Sept. 8, 1897 by Bp. Chatard. Fr. Adam Feigen built the third and present rectory between 1896-1902. The first school, a log house, was also used for Mass.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is May 9, 1841.

Location. 39° 17.527′ N, 84° 57.46′ W. Marker is in St. Leon, Indiana, in Dearborn County. It is at the intersection of St. Joe Drive

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and Church Lane, on the right when traveling north on St. Joe Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7536 Church Lane, West Harrison IN 47060, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. Joseph Catholic Church Original Cemetery Grounds (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Leon Pole Raising (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lester “Marvelo” Lake (approx. 3.3 miles away); New Trenton (approx. 3.3 miles away); St. John The Baptist Church (approx. 3.3 miles away); Dover (approx. 3.6 miles away); General John Morgan (approx. 3.6 miles away); a different marker also named General John Morgan (approx. 4½ miles away).

Photographed by Tom Bosse, April 3, 2024

2. St. Joseph Catholic Church Marker

Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Leon.

St. Joseph Catholic Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, April 3, 2024

3. St. Joseph Catholic Church

St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, April 3, 2024

4. St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery.

The first chapel, made of logs, was located where the crucifix now stands in the cemetery.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 318 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 6, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.