The construction of the Big Four Railroad, then known as the "Bee Line" in Hancock County, was indirectly responsible for the establishment of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Fortville.

The railroad was completed in 1850 by laborers of Irish descent. In 1866, one of the first priests to take a deep interest in the new congregation was the Reverend Father Bessonies, pastor of St. John's Parish in Indianapolis .

When the possibility of building a church arose, several suggestions were made that it be built in Woodbury, but it was eventually decided that Fortville showed more possibilities of growth.

Ground for the church was donated by James E. Merrill in 1868 on the site of which the present church stands. In 1869, a frame church was built under the supervision of Reverend Father Denis McMullen of St. John's , Indianapolis , and completed and dedicated by Father Crowley of St. Mary's Church, Anderson.

Records of parishioners at this time show names like Kelly, Boucher, McMahan, Tobin, Corey, List, McCord, McColley, Durack, Busey, Dugan, and Callahan.

For a few years, there was no resident pastor at St Thomas , at that time called St. John . Services were conducted by visiting priests from St. John's , Indianapolis , and St. Mary's, Anderson.

In 1877, the Franciscan monastery in Indianapolis was given charge of the congregation. The first Franciscan pastor was Fr. Arsenius Fahle.

There was a Ladies' Altar Society, organized after the building of the church. Its purpose was to help with the purchase of altar linens, vestments and the cleaning and upkeep of the altar and the church.

There was also a League of the Sacred Heart, organized in 1913, with the aim to encourage a greater devotion to, and love of, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, furthering a closer union in prayer.

In 1916, the parish, consisting of about 60 members, undertook the building of the present brick structure. Leaders of the parish, who also composed the building committee, were James Ganley, Lawrence Durrack, P.J. Kelly and Thomas Tobin. Local builder, Frank Crouch, built the new church and Brother Christopher superintended the construction. The cost of building the church was $7,113.67.

The stained glass windows were also donated by parishioners. They were made by hand at the Emil Frie Glass Works in St. Louis . It is said that all the windows were bought for $500. Each of the windows has near its top a richly colored piece of artistry symbolizing one of the cherished truths or traditions of the Catholic Faith.

St. Thomas remained a Franciscan mission until 1934. Some of the early Franciscan priests were Fr. Pete, Fr. Tom, Fr. Theodore, Fr. Ethelbert and Fr. Herbert. In 1934, a pastor was appointed by Bishop and later Cardinal Joseph Ritter for Fortville and Greenfield , with his residence in Greenfield .

Fr. John Reidenger was appointed pastor from 1934-1938. He was followed by Fr. Thomas Kilfoil, Fr. Dennis Spalding from 1938-1947, and Fr. Dennis Nolan from 1947-1951.

The regular Religious Education Program began in February 1953. The first lay teachers in the program were Emma Rader, Irene Mosele, Gladys Alfonte, Mary Bednarski, Mary Weir and Loretta Copeland, who all taught preschool and elementary instruction. Cpt. Gallagher, from Ft. Benjamin Harrison, taught secondary lessons.

Still a mission of St. Lawrence, the parish was served by Fr. John Stahl and Fr. Ralph Stasshelm from 1953-1961. In 1960, the parish bought the rectory in preparation for our first resident pastor, for about $6200. Designated an independent parish in 1961, the first resident pastor was Fr. Joseph Koster. 1961 marked the first time in the parish's history that two Sunday masses and weekday masses were celebrated.

In 1966, Fr. Matthew Herold came to St. Thomas as pastor. In March 1967, the new front altar was dedicated. The altar and new carpeting in the church were donated by the Women's Club. 1971 brought another new pastor, Fr. Francis Touhy. Fr. Paul Utz became pastor in 1974.

In 1982, Fr. Joseph Kos became our new pastor. He was instrumental in organizing our new Parish Council and committees that fall under its realm. Another group was also organized called The Friends of St. Thomas . This group was committed to raising funds for various needs of the church. This group started a bingo, along with the Fortville Optimist Club. The games were held at St. Thomas , but were closed down in 1984 because the state police raided the games one night. They arrested Fr. Kos and the past president of the Optimist Club. Fr. Kos decided to close the bingo to stop further controversy.

In July of 1989, Fr. Albert Ajamie became our pastor. In 1991, Fr. Ajamie had the communion rail sent to Weberding's Carving Shop, Inc. to be made into the present front altar, lectern, and screen for the new Reconciliation Room. The cost of this project was $4,977.73. Also during that year, the parish began

two new ministries: the Nursing Home Ministry and the Parents Day Out Program. The handicap ramp was built and the front steps and landing were reconstructed in 1992, for the cost of $10,000. By 1993, the Parents Day Out Program expanded into The Little Lamb's Preschool.

Father Roger Gaudet became pastor at St. Thomas in 1994.

In 1995, the cry room was built by enclosing the back left corner of the church. The CYO was reorganized and became Youth Ministry in 1996. The parish purchased property across Garden Street in1996 and again in 2000, which is used for overflow parking. In 1998, the Little Lamb's Preschool was closed. The existing garage was beginning to deteriorate, so the parish undertook the building of a new garage in 1999, under the leadership of Paul Nobbe.

In July of 2002, Fr. Joseph Pesola became the administrator of St. Thomas .