Parish History

Celebrating over 50 years of Faith-filled service in the New Albany area.

With the Catholic Community growing rapidly in southern Indiana, the need for an additional parish in New Albany was recognized. Through the financial and spiritual support of the communities of Holy Trinity and St. Mary's, Our Lady of Perpetual Help was founded with Father Richard Langen as its first pastor. The cornerstone of the first permanent building was blessed on October 1, 1950. This building housed the church, the school and the sisters' quarters.

The parish showed rapid growth. Built in 1953, the Parish Center was originally designed as a convent for the sisters of St. Francis who staffed the early school. The convent was later converted into the Pastor’s residence and finally in the Parish Center. In 2003, the Pastor’s home was built on donated property located near the church.

The present church structure was completed in 1967 to accommodate the ever-growing community. Father Charles Wagner, pastor from 1954-1968, is attributed with leading the parish in developing and building the new church. The church basement, Wagner Hall, is named in his honor.

The parish has grown from 300 families in 1950 to it present 1200 families and approximately 3,600 parishioners.

In 1969, the Parish Council was formed with a twenty-six-member body whose goal was to facilitate greater involvement of all members, especially the laity, in apostolic work. The current Parish Council is a 14-member body comprised of:

Through the hard work and prayers of this council, parish staff, school staff and parishioners, we are striving to fulfill our mission as stated in our mission statement.