Holy Trinity Oratory Status Changes On March 1

On Jan. 27, Bishop Charles C. Thompson issued a decree relegating Holy Trinity Oratory in Evansville to profane but not sordid use, effective March 1. The full text of the decree appears elsewhere on this page. Effective March 1, Holy Trinity loses its holy status and may no longer be used for divine worship.

Bishop Thompson has taken this action at the requests of Sts. Mary and John Parish, in whose territory Holy Trinity is located, and Father Chris Forler, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Daylight, who currently serves as overseer of Holy Trinity.

They expressed concern over significant deterioration of Holy Trinity Oratory and buildings associated with it, which are in need of significant repairs and upgrades. Bishop Thompson issued the decree after thoroughly reviewing a number of factors, and consulting with Sts. Mary and John Parish, Father Forler and the Diocesan Council of Priests.

When relegated to the status of Oratory in April 2015, all of the sacramental records, assets and liabilities associated with Holy Trinity were transferred to St. John the Evangelist Parish in Daylight, and the pastor of St. John the Evangelist was designated as overseer of Holy Trinity. The Jan. 27 decree directs that those sacramental records, assets and liabilities be transferred to Sts. Mary and John Parish, effective March 1.

At this time, no other action involving the property is taking place. The appropriate consultative bodies of Sts. Mary and John will work with Pastor Father Gordon Mann to develop the most effective plan for the property moving forward.

The decree notes the deterioration of the Oratory to the point where major repairs are necessary. Such repairs would be the responsibility of Sts. Mary and John Parish, which already is responsible for maintaining St. Mary and St. John the Apostle churches in downtown Evansville.

Since its relegation to Oratory, midday Masses have been celebrated at Holy Trinity on weekdays. Also, the Extraordinary Form of the Liturgy has been celebrated there on Sundays.

Father Mann tells The Message that weekday Masses will be celebrated at St. Mary Church at 12:05 p.m. CT, Tuesdays through Fridays. He also said that plans are being finalized for St. Mary Church to host Sunday celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Liturgy.

The Message will update information on that Sunday Mass as it becomes available.