Portage in Porter County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Reverend Carl F. Mengeling S.T.D.
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, February 13, 2026
1. Reverend Carl F. Mengeling S.T.D. Marker
This plaque, in honor of our pastor the Reverend Carl F. Mengeling, is placed here by the grateful members of Nativity of Our Savior Parish to commemorate the silver jubilee of his ordination to the holy priesthood.
Under his leadership as our pastor since July 30, 1971, his zealous dedication in sharing our Lord's Gospel has guided our parish in the building of our school and church. He has encouraged a spirit of harmony, love for each other, and the love of God to remain foremost in our hearts.
Erected 1983 by members of Nativity of Our Savior Parish.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is July 30, 1971.
Location. 41° 34.02′ N, 87° 10.87′ W. Marker is in Portage, Indiana, in Porter County. It can be reached from Willowcreek Road south of Sunrise Avenue, on the right when traveling north. This marker is to the right of the entrance to Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2949 Willowcreek Rd, Portage IN 46368, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana and specifically on the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan Shore. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, 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: Reverend Joseph E. Till (here, next to this marker); Willow Creek Confrontation (approx. 1½ miles away);
this page online
More about this marker. S.T.D. is an abbreviation for the Latin title Sacrae Theologiae Doctor, which in English means Doctor of Sacred Theology. It is the ecclesiastical equivalent of a Ph.D.
Regarding Reverend Carl F. Mengeling S.T.D.. Father Carl Mengeling was part of the first ordination class of the new Diocese of Gary, Indiana in 1957. As the marker says, he came to Nativity of Our Savior Parish in 1971. At Nativity, he oversaw the building of the Catechetic and Activity Center in May of 1973, the construction of the rectory in June of 1974, and the dedication of Nativity School in September of 1975, as well as later additions and expansions. In 1982-83, he supervised the construction of a new church, which was dedicated in September
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, February 13, 2026
2. Reverend Carl F. Mengeling S.T.D. Marker in context
The marker is the plaque above the bench. To the right of this marker is the Reverend Joseph E. Till marker.
In 1995, Pope John Paul II appointed him the bishop of Lansing, Michigan. He led the Diocese of Lansing until his retirement in 2008. He died at the age of 94 on July 1, 2025.
Also see . . . Bishop Emeritus Carl F. Mengeling. Diocese of Lansing Biography of Bishop Mengeling from the website of the diocese which he led.
As an educator and a pastor, he has been a strong supporter of Catholic schools. As pastor of Nativity of our Savior Parish in Portage, Indiana, in the 1970's, he built a school before building a church.(Submitted on February 14, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, February 13, 2026
3. Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church
This is the church that Fr. Mengeling built. The marker is located under the porte-cochθre on the right side.
Photographed by Marc Rucinski (CC0) [Courtesy Wikimedia Commons], May 17, 2011
4. Bishop Carl F. Mengeling
Bishop Carl Mengeling at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Flint, MI for Confirmation.
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Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 43 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 14, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
