At 1005 West Main Street in Danville, Indiana, Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church is rooted in a history that began with a Mass in a family living room and grew into an eight-acre parish campus. Its identity is both rooted in that history and expressed in daily life: Mass and adoration, Catholic formation for every age, music, service and care for people inside and beyond the church.
From the Wilson Living Room to US 36
In 1922, a group of Danville women gathered to discuss and study Catholic literature so their children could prepare for First Communion. At that time, Danville Catholics traveled to St. Malachy in Brownsburg for Mass. The first Mass at what became Mary Queen of Peace was celebrated on June 1, 1922, in the living room of Mr. and Mrs. Herschel Wilson. The Wilson home later became the rectory, and Mass continued to be celebrated there for the next 15 years.
In 1937, Fr. Charles Schottelkotte was assigned by Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter to organize Mary, Queen of Peace as a mission parish. He later observed, “Even though the beginnings of Mary, Queen of Peace were small, those beginning members were enthusiastic, and it didn’t take them long to find others to ‘swell’ the congregation.” Schottelkotte was the first of 15 pastors who served the parish.
By 1938, a small permanent chapel had been erected at Mulberry and Blake Streets in Danville. It seated 125 people and was dedicated on February 5, 1939, by Rt. Rev. Michael Lyons. An additional room and bath were added as a rectory in 1946. The building now serves the local Girl Scout Troop.
After the tornado of 1948, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis purchased the Allen Campbell property, formerly the Wilson home, for $12,500. The building was restored and dedicated on February 13, 1949, by Archbishop Paul Schulte. As the parish's second church, it seated 110 and housed the office, classrooms and rectory.
The cornerstone for the third church was laid on April 4, 1954, and the building was dedicated on August 8 of that year. Its estimated cost was $53,000, it seated 250, and the parish had grown to 104 households, including 75 children. This 1954 building now serves as the Religious Education Building.
The present church stands at the corner of Mackey Road and US 36. Built for $1.2 million, it seats 400 and was dedicated on December 16, 1990, by Archbishop Edward T. O'Meara. Together with the 1954 building and the historic Wilson home, which serves as the parish offices, it forms the church's eight-acre campus.
Mass, Adoration and the Weekly Rhythm
Mass is at the center of the parish's worship. The standard week includes Mass on every day except Monday, with a pattern that allows families to participate at several times of day:
- Saturday: Mass at 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday: Mass at 7:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
- Tuesday and Thursday: Mass at 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday and Friday: Mass at 8:30 a.m.
The Saturday and Sunday celebrations are full Masses. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays before the 5:00 p.m. Mass, and it is also available by appointment.
Wednesday has two connected forms of prayer. The 8:30 a.m. Mass is followed by Adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Participants are always needed for the three-hour hour of adoration, and sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board in the narthex.
Ministers of Hospitality greet people at the door throughout weekend Masses. The Knights of Columbus also lead the Rosary before Saturday evening and Sunday morning Mass. Most Sundays, coffee and doughnuts are served in the Parish Hall between the morning Masses. Sunday Mass is also livestreamed through the parish's Watch Sunday Mass service.
Seven Sacraments and a Community Centered on Prayer
Mary Queen of Peace defines its mission as a Catholic faith community centered on prayer and worship and embodying Gospel values. The parish describes itself as a family of Christians committed to growth in faith and holiness as signs of God's presence in the world. Its service to others follows the example of Christ by reaching beyond the parish community.
The parish teaches that sacraments are outward signs of inward grace, instituted by Christ for sanctification. It recognizes seven sacraments, arranged in three groups:
- Sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist
- Sacraments of healing: Penance and Anointing of the Sick
- Sacraments of vocation: Holy Orders and Matrimony
Baptism and Reconciliation
For an infant or child baptism, one or both parents must be practicing Catholics and registered members of Mary Queen of Peace. Parents attend a baptism preparation class, and the child must be under the canonical age of seven. Children older than seven and adults seeking Baptism are directed toward the initiation process.
First Reconciliation also involves the family. The child must be at least seven, baptized, enrolled in religious education, and have attended classes for at least one year. Parents must attend a preparation class for the sacrament. The parish also welcomes adults preparing to celebrate Reconciliation for the first time.
Eucharist and Confirmation
The Eucharist is described as the source and summit of Christian life. A child preparing for First Communion must be at least seven, baptized, and have celebrated First Reconciliation. The child must be enrolled in parish religious education, attend regularly for at least two consecutive years, and have parents who attend a Eucharistic preparation class. A baptismal certificate is required when the child was baptized in another parish.
Confirmation is a two-year program for young people between 13 and 18. Participants must be baptized, have received the Eucharist and Reconciliation, and have regularly attended religious education through grade eight. A parent attends a preparation class, the young person completes both years of classes, and Archdiocesan requirements are fulfilled. Each candidate also has an eligible sponsor who is confirmed and in good standing with the Church.
Anointing, Marriage and Holy Orders
Anointing of the Sick confers a special grace on a Christian experiencing the difficulties of grave illness or old age. Its focus is the Church's continued work of healing and salvation in the power of the Holy Spirit.
For a Catholic marriage, at least one person must be a registered member of the parish, and at least one must participate in the sacramental life of the Church. The couple meets with the pastor to discuss the sacrament and its requirements, then collaborates with parish liturgical ministers in preparing the wedding liturgy. Parish arrangements are required at least five months in advance.
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which some members are called to serve in the name and person of Christ. The parish connects this vocation with the wider Church's vocation ministry, teaching that Baptism shares in the common priesthood of the faithful and that ordained service is directed toward the mission of Christ.
RCIA and the Second Vocation
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults welcomes unbaptized people, those baptized into another Christian tradition, and baptized Catholics who have received only one or two of the sacraments of initiation. Weekly sessions begin in late summer and culminate with the celebration of the initiation sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Classes address Scripture, the Trinity, Salvation History, the sacraments, morality and other aspects of Catholic teaching.
Anyone may attend RCIA classes for instruction, whether or not the person intends to complete the full program. Children over the canonical age of seven also participate, while continuing to attend grade-appropriate religious education classes. The parish offers this process as a way to grow in faith through study, prayer, community and sacramental life.
Preschool, Grade Eight and the Youth Years
Religious education for preschool through grade eight is offered throughout the regular school year. Classes meet on Sundays from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m., and students must be registered before attending. The curriculum provides progressive instruction in prayer, sacraments, Scripture, liturgy, Catholic tradition, service and social justice.
Mary Queen of Peace places particular emphasis on the family's role. Parents are the primary source of transportation and support for children, and regular attendance is especially important during preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation. The parish also welcomes anyone interested in serving as a catechist and sharing the faith with children.
Following Archdiocesan guidelines, students in second grade are prepared to receive First Reconciliation and First Communion. The preparation emphasizes family participation so that parents can understand and support what their children are learning. Children beyond second grade who are preparing to receive these sacraments may do so through the Rite of Children's Initiation.
Youth ministry serves students in grades 6 through 12 through worship, relationships, instruction and service. The program includes a broad range of ministry and service projects, along with events involving the Archdiocese and the local West deanery. A core team helps plan and carry out the ministry's activities.
The parish's confirmation program is likewise built around family and community. Sponsors or parents may attend any of the sessions offered, and candidates take part in instruction, sharing sessions, prayer, liturgical ministries and service throughout the two-year program.
Serving at the Altar, at the Door and at Home
Spiritual Life ministries make it possible for parishioners to take active roles in worship and care for one another:
- Altar servers: Girls and boys may participate beginning in fourth grade. Servers must receive First Communion, complete training, and commit to their assigned times.
- Readers: Readers proclaim the Word by reading clearly and speaking distinctly. They are trained and commissioned by the pastor and commit to their assignments.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Communion: These ministers serve at Mass and may also bring Communion to homebound parishioners and Catholics in local healthcare centers.
- Ministers of Hospitality: Men and women welcome people at the church door and continue that hospitality throughout weekend Masses.
- Art and Environment: This ministry prepares the worship environment for prayer and celebration. Members make a one-year commitment beginning in the Easter season and ending after the following Pentecost.
The Music Ministry welcomes cantors, choir members and instrumentalists who want to share their talents in worship. Formal musical training is not required; the parish asks for willingness, dedication and commitment to meaningful liturgical music. Rehearsals take place in the church on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Some cantors serve alone or in groups of two or three, with rehearsal and Mass schedules adapted to their availability.
Mary Queen of Peace also has a Consolation Ministry for people dealing with grief before and after a death. The ministry draws on the support of the Church family so that those who are grieving do not face that period alone.
Friends of St. Anthony and the Parish at Work
Friends of St. Anthony is the parish's principal social outreach group. It responds to people in need with assistance such as food, clothing, gas and shelter. Its Christmas Giving Tree Project collects gifts for children who need them. A Home Visitation Committee also focuses on homebound parishioners, helping them remain connected with the community through visits.
The Pro-Life Committee works to educate parishioners about the Church's teaching on abortion, contraceptives, marriage and natural family planning, reproductive technology, stem cells and cloning, assisted suicide and euthanasia, and capital punishment. It also publicizes pro-life events sponsored by the Archdiocese, the parish and the surrounding area.
Family Promise of Hendricks County, which began in 2015, has helped families find jobs and permanent housing. Mary Queen of Peace maintains a connection with this local effort, extending its mission of service into the surrounding community.
The Knights of Columbus welcome Catholic men into Council 11896. The council meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., organizes and staffs the monthly Sunday breakfast, and plans service projects for the parish and community. Its annual Tootsie Roll Drive supports Special Olympics. In months with a fifth Sunday, Knights also serve as ushers and greeters, lectors and Eucharistic ministers at Mass.
The Women's Club meets socially at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, with the meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. Its mission is to serve God, the parish and the pastor. The group plans fundraisers, supplies baptismal candles and bibs, provides Bibles for religious education, supports funeral dinners and assists other parish needs. It is an affiliate of the National Council of Catholic Women.
Forever Young gives parish seniors a monthly rhythm of fellowship. The group meets in the Parish Hall on the second Tuesday for a pitch-in luncheon with activities and social time.
Shared Responsibility, Stewardship and the Parish Team
The parish organizes its work through five commissions: Faith Formation, Spiritual Life, Stewardship, Parish Life and Social Concerns. One parish goal is to increase participation in these ministries so that the community can respond more effectively to the needs of parishioners and one another.
The Parish Pastoral Council works with the pastor through shared responsibility. It serves as a consultative body, encourages constructive dialogue, discerns the needs of the parish and identifies the gifts of its members. The council also helps formulate goals and policies consistent with faith and morals, civil and Church law, and Archdiocesan policy, while encouraging the apostolic activity of the community.
Stewardship is described as a way of life expressed in action. Christian stewards acknowledge God as the owner and giver of all things and recognize a responsibility for both material and spiritual blessings. The Stewardship commissions support this approach through work in archives, communications, finance and property and facilities. The finance committee assists the pastor with a sound financial plan, while the property committee promotes care of the parish grounds and buildings. Parish giving is available through online giving.
The pastoral team includes Pastor Rev. Robert Hausladen and Associate Pastor Rev. Suresh Ganta, HGN. Beth Clark serves as Youth Minister, Michelle Howard leads Faith Formation, and Gina Aguilar directs the choir. Their work is joined by the many parishioners who teach, sing, read, serve at the altar, visit the sick and homebound, welcome visitors, organize fundraisers and care for the parish campus.
An Eight-Acre Parish on US 36
Mary Queen of Peace now brings together three generations of parish buildings on its eight-acre campus at Mackey Road and US 36: the church dedicated in 1990, the 1954 building now used for religious education and the Wilson home that houses parish offices. Directions to the parish place it at 1005 West Main Street in Danville, and the parish office can be reached at 317-745-4284.
From the first living-room Mass to the present worship and ministry center, Mary Queen of Peace continues to hold together prayer, Catholic formation, sacramental life, shared stewardship and service to others. That continuing rhythm is the life of Mary Queen of Peace in Danville.