Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 500 E. Seventh Street, Auburn, IN 46706 US - Our Parish History

Current church interior. circa 1960

Immaculate Conception Parish has grown steadily since its humble beginnings in 1871. Our parish started with eight families and has continued to grow to well over five hundred families today. Fr. August Young, in the home of Englebert Ashley offered the first Mass in Auburn. Mass was celebrated in this manner until land could be acquired for a new church. The first church, built in 1874 and known as St. Mary's, was located at Fourth and Railroad Streets. It was dedicated on October 18, 1874. Fr. Young served as the first pastor. With steady growth of the church, land was purchased on East Seventh Street as a future building site. By 1955 the parish had 235 families and Fr. Matthew Lange served as its pastor. Ground was broken in 1957 for a new church building, school and parish hall. Bishop Leo Pursley dedicated the church on september 21, 1958. The school opened in the fall of 1958 and was staffed by the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart. The school remained open until 1971, when it was closed. More later.........

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