St. Mary’s of  Alexandria, Indiana

About St. Mary’s

School Phone: 765-724-4459

Rectory Phone 765-724-2483

Fax: 765-724-9711

E-mail: ourpablo@insightbb.com

Our History in Brief

The town of Alexandria was plated in 1860, but few Catholics lived in this area. By 1870 the town's population had risen to 300 including eight Irish descent Catholics.

Over the years parishioners grew in number and met for Mass in a log cabin, in parishioners' homes and in Tammany Hall, but did not have a church until 1897. The School Sisters of Notre Dame came to staff the school located downstairs in the same building as the upstairs church.

Enrollment over time has risen and fallen due to the collapse of the gas boom and various changes in the economy. Eventually in the 1930's there was a school addition. In 1954 a separate convent was built for the sisters who previously resided in the school-church building. In 1963 a fund drive for a new church was initiated and the completed church was dedicated in 1967 by Bishop Gallagher to the Blessed Mother.

The year 1987 saw the razing of the nearly 100-year old school and the completion of a new modern school facility The hundred plus year old rectory was replaced in 1993 by a newer smaller home located on Monroe Street.

Those attending the 100th anniversary celebration for the school in 1997 witnessed ground breaking for the building of a new 19,000 square foot addition to the school to be known as the Haslinger Family Life Center. The completion of the center added a gymnasium, auditorium with a stage, plus extra classrooms and a new school kitchen.

In the spring of 2005 a church renovation began. After a year of hard work and having mass in the gym the renovation was complete.