Bishop Kevin C. Joseph , Wabash , Wells , and Whitley. The Indiana area was part of the French colony of New France during the 17th century and the first half of the 18th century.
It was explored by French fur traders and missionaries under the Bishop of Quebec. It became British territory after the French Indian War ended in ; however, the British government refused to allow American colonists to enter the region.
John Francis served as vicar-general in the west from until his death in Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, as its first bishop. Ruff from Metz in France was assigned to St. Mary's Church in Fort Wayne. Ruff was fluent in English, French, and German. Vincent de Paul in Logansport and St. Charles Borromeo in Peru. Sorin arrived in South Bend in November , and began the school using Badin's old log chapel.
This was the start of the University of Notre Dame. Benoit routinely covered over a dozen mission stations by canal boat or horseback. Luers founded St. Patrick's Parish in Chesterton in , as well as St. Paul's Parish in Valparaiso. In , Luers held a synod of priests at the University of Notre Dame in which he established the laws and constitution for the diocese. He established an orphanage in Rensselaer for children who had lost their parents during the American Civil War.
Luers died in Dwenger was a zealous promoter of the parochial school system. Rademacher died in At Alerding's request, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth came to the diocese in to work in the parochial schools. The Sisters of St. Francis of Maryville arrived in ; they had charge of the Wabash Railway hospital at Peru, known as St. Ann's Hospital. John F. During the Great Depression , Noll reorganized the system of Catholic charities.
