Having closed the large gap in the bell tower, the church remained in use until 1949, when after eight long years of waiting, plans for the new structure were completed. The eight year delay was due to the need of all available materials in defense of our country during World War II. After the old church building was torn down in June of 1949 construction of the new one began in August of 1949, with the cornerstone being laid in September of that same year. The new church building was being constructed of St. Meinrad sandstone with an Indiana limestone trim. Shortly after construction started, tragedy struck. The scaffold holding the stone masons tumbled to the ground, killing one worker and injuring two others. *(A typed newspaper account of this incident follows this article.)
During the building process, church services were held in the upstairs hall of the school building, located across from the building site. Sunday afternoon, on December 24, 1950, saw the culmination of the new church as the Blessed Sacrament was moved to this beautiful sandstone church. Later that night, the customary Christmas Midnight Mass was celebrated, the first Mass in the new church building. Dedication of the church was held April 22, 1951, with Bishop Henry Grimmelsman, bishop of the Evansville Diocese, presiding.
Mr. Herbert Jogerst, a German native and artist, designed the interior decorations for this new church. Mr. Jogerst had been a soldier in the German Army during World War II, and was captured in North Africa by the U.S. Forces. As a prisoner, he was sent to the "prisoner of war compound" at Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky, where he came into contact with Father Peter Behrman, OSB, a Catholic Chaplain from St. Meinrad, Indiana. Father Peter befriended the German prisoner, and they eventually became close friends. Realizing the talent of Mr. Jogerst and his artistic ability, Father Peter persuaded Mr. Jogerst to help design altars and churches in the Owensboro, Kentucky, diocese. At the end of the war, Mr. Jogerst returned to his native country. However, after some time, he returned to the United States, and was again involved in artistry at the St. Meinrad Abbey. It was here in early 1950 that Father Lindauer was able to ask Mr. Jogerst to do the design and arrangement of our new altar. Agreeing on this, we can indeed feel fortunate to have someone of Mr. Jogerst's talents to finish this work on the "baldachio" above the altar.
Reverend Lindauer was appointed Domestic Prelate with the title "Monsignor" in September of 1967. This energetic priest was to serve the people of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish for over forty years, and then served as "Resident Chaplain" of St. John's Home in Evansville until his death on August 31, 2002.
Upon the completion of "Holy Cross Church" in Fort Branch in 1947, most of that town's Catholic population discontinued their membership in Sts. Peter & Paul Parish here in Haubstadt.
In 1959 a new rectory was built, replacing the original brick one built in 1877. Like the 1950 church building, St. Meinrad sandstone and Indiana limestone was used for this structure. No more building projects have taken place since.
Among the pastors that have served the parish since Reverend C.J. Lindauer retired in 1981, are Reverend Robert Deig, Reverend Lowell Will, and the present pastor, Reverend Francis Schroering. Reverend Eugene Schmitt is Assistant Pastor.
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