During Rev. Gabriel’s pastorate, the Sisters of St. Francis left.  Lay teachers continued the work of the sisters for some time.

In 1898 the Diocese of Vincennes was transferred to Indianapolis.

In 1909, Fr. Gabriel invited the Benedictine sisters to staff the school.  Srs. Justina Pohl, Aquina Ziliak, Andrea Biever, Fidelia Kreilein, and Salesia Godecker were the first sisters.

In 1900 New Providence was renamed Borden.

In 1898 the Spanish-American War broke out.

1901 Strawberry production in the area helped the local economy prosper.

1905 Rural free mail delivery began in the area.

1903 St. Augustine Church in Jeffersonville burned to the ground.  It was rebuilt in 1905.

The church owned a livery stable which was built on the southern corner of the parish property.  School children and church goers had a place for their horses.  The long row of cedar trees that lined the front hill to the church property were also used to hitch the horses and provided branches for Palm Sunday processions. 

Fr. Joseph Sennefield became pastor in June.  Fr. Sennefield remodeled the spire, and put in the first steam plant, and the basement of the school building was dug by several parishioners. 

 

The frescos on the walls of church were done during this time.  One ceiling fresco depicts St. Joseph and the church and grounds at St. Joe as they were in 1918.

Fr. James Ziegenfuss, O.S.B. served as pastor for a few months.

The painting was signed “Mann - 1918”.

1917 The United States enters World War I.

1920 Prohibition begins.

Fr. Joseph

Sennefield