Mass Excursions
Be ‘greeted at the door’ at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Cambridge City
Historic St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Cambridge City has been the worship home of the 170-year-old parish for 142 years. (Photo courtesy of Archdiocese of Indianapolis Archives)
By Natalie Hoefer
When construction on the Whitewater Canal began in west central Indiana in 1836, it was intended to be the quickest and most modern form of transportation.
It was already outdated when it was completed in 1847. But its construction and the construction of the more modern train system that replaced the canal brought Irish Catholic workers to the region. By 1842, enough Catholics had settled around Cambridge City to be served by traveling priests.
Ten years later, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish was established in Cambridge City.
‘You’ll be greeted at the door’
For 170 years, the Connersville Deanery parish has served Catholics and the surrounding community.
“The church is an historic building,” says pastor Father John Hall of the parish’s place of worship, dedicated in 1880. “You can see the steeple from Highway 40.”
Parishioners are “very enthusiastic about their parish,” he says. “And they’re supportive financially of the three Catholic schools in the deanery.”
The parish contributes to the local community particularly through its annual Thanksgiving meal, held on a Sunday a few weeks before the national holiday.
“It’s open to all the community,” says Father Hall. “We supply the turkey, and parishioners bring in the other dishes and desserts. We ask for freewill offerings, and the money collected goes to Meals on Wheels or the Western Wayne [County] Senior Center food services.
“We always have a great turnout. It’s looked forward to by people in the community, and the parish looks forward to providing for it,” he says.
The parish also provides a booth at the Cambridge City Canal Days festival, held annually on the weekend after Labor Day.
“We sell sausage sandwiches and pork chops with onions and green and red peppers,” he says. “It’s a hit with the community, and the money helps with our parish budget.”
When visiting at other times of the year, Father Hall recommends stopping by the No. 9 Grill for lunch or dinner.
“People from all over the area come for the hamburgers and tenderloins,” he says.
Father Hall says those who come for Mass at St. Elizabeth of Hungary will find a warm welcome.
“You’ll be greeted at the door,” he says. “The people are very welcoming. They would love to have people come by and show them warm hospitality and a welcome to parish.”
Antiques, pottery, candles and trails
As Father Hall mentioned, visiting Cambridge City for their weekend-after-Labor-Day festival or partaking in the parish’s pre-Thanksgiving dinner are perfect opportunities to worship at Mass at with the parish community. For Mass times, go to st-eliz.org or call 765-475-3242.
But the area offers plenty of reasons to visit year-round.
Just a half mile west of the town on U.S. Highway 40 is the Overbeck Pottery Museum, located in the Cambridge City library. The collection features clay works made between 1911-1955 by the six Overbeck sisters who lived in the town. Overbeck pottery has received “national recognition” as an important part of American art history, according to www.ccitypl.org/overbeck-museum. Visit the site for more information on the Overbeck sisters, their famous pottery and library hours.
Highway 40 in Cambridge City also offers the fun noun-made-verb known as “antiquing.” Visitindiana.com lists Cambridge City as one of two “Antique Alley” trails along Highway 40. The site notes that Cambridge City offers “quality antique shops/malls within a two-block area.”
Trails of another kind are available at Cope Environmental Center in nearby Centerville a few miles east of Cambridge City. The center offers hiking trails, full moon night hikes, programs for toddlers and families, and a sustainability lecture series with topics ranging from native landscaping to climate resiliency. Go to copeenvironmental.org for more information.
Abutting I-70 just a few miles north of Centerville is the Warm Glow Candle Company’s outlet shop. The candles are all handmade in Indiana. The outlet also features locally made arts, crafts, jewelry, oils, décor and wine. Warm Glow offers three events a year: the weekend before Mother’s Day, the last weekend in September and the first weekend in December. For more information, go to warmglow.com.
No matter the recreational destination, make Christ a central part of the experience by worshiping at Mass with the members of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish.
(Mass Excursions is a monthly feature highlighting an archdiocesan parish and local attractions, encouraging a trip to the area that includes Mass with the members of that parish. Each month will highlight a parish in a different deanery to showcase faith communities throughout central and southern Indiana.) †
