Serra Club of Indianapolis - Our Origin Story

1950

The Serra Club of Indianapolis arrived in the Hoosier capital by way of Louisville, where the Hoosier Serrans were later to help charter a club. It all began in the fall of 1950 when John LaRosa, then head of a produce marketing association, was asked by a friend from Louisville if he had ever heard of Serra Club. LaRosa had not, but when he was told it had headquarters in Chicago, he wrote there and eventually there came a reply from Harry O'Haire, executive secretary.

O'Haire's reply was both an explanation of Serra - What it was and also an invitation to attempt to form a Serra Club in Indianapolis. LaRosa took on the responsibility of interesting a number of Catholic layman in the project. After two or three preliminary meetings with potential members, LaRosa invited O'Haire to a meeting at the Lincoln Hotel. Among those attending were Robert Langenskamp, John Rocap, and Patrick Fisher.

Several more meetings followed in the ensuing months, until the required 30 interested laymen were obtained so that a Serra Club charter could be obtained.

1951

The Charter dinner was held on December 27, 1951, at the Indianapolis Athletic Club. The Club became Club No. 71 in Serra International, and third in Indiana (South Bend and Calumet area are older).

John LaRosa became the first president.
The first chaplain was Father Richard Mueller, who served until 1955 when Msgr. James Galvin was appointed chaplain.