Over a period of 29 years, Between 1853 and 1882, St. Joseph Hill recorded 818 baptisms,  267 deaths, and 87 marriages.

 

There were 100 families in the congregation at the time the church was built.

The trustees at that time who assisted with having the church built were Mathias Renn, Jacob Strobel, Lorenz Weidner, Joseph Zipf, Max Zahner, and J.C. Schmidt, all well-to-do farmers.  Mathias Renn also turned chair rounds and Max Zahner was the owner of the largest vineyard in the county, having more than 25 varieties of grapes.

John and Margaret Kraemer were the first couple to be married in the new church.

The church measured 114’ x 52’ with a 130’ spire constructed as a tower within a tower. The magnificent spire is crowned by a gilded cross of gold.

 

The beautiful new church was dedicated on November 20, 1881, by Bishop Chatard.  assisted by Fr. Joseph Dickmann, pastor; Rev. J. Stremler, D.D. of St. Mary's; Rev. J.P. Gillig of St. Johns (Starlight); Rev. Ubaldus, O.S.F. of Louisville; and Rev. J. Klein, of New Albany.