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Greenfield Today
By the People, for the People
Ash Wednesday Services Open Lent Across Hancock County
Local faith communities gather for prayer, penance, and fasting to mark the start of the 40-day Lenten season.
Published on Feb. 21, 2026
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Worshippers across Hancock County, Indiana gathered at churches on Ash Wednesday to open the Lenten season with special services that included the imposition of ashes, prayers, communion, and other rituals to prepare for Easter. Several local congregations are also hosting additional Lenten programs, fish fries, and events in the lead-up to the holy day.
Why it matters
Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season are important observances for many Christian denominations, marking a period of spiritual reflection, repentance, and anticipation of Easter. The gathering of local faith communities for these services highlights the role of religion and tradition in the lives of Hancock County residents.
The details
Ash Wednesday services were held at several churches across Hancock County, including St. Michael and St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic churches, Zion Lutheran Church, Faith Lutheran Church, Mohawk United Methodist Church, and Trinity Park Church. The services included prayers, recitations, communion, and the imposition of ashes on worshippers' foreheads in the shape of a cross, symbolizing repentance and mortality. Many local congregations are also hosting additional Lenten programs, such as weekly soup suppers and prayer services, as well as fish fry fundraisers and book studies to observe the season.
- Ash Wednesday services were held on February 21, 2026, marking the start of the 40-day Lenten season.
- Easter Sunday will be celebrated on April 5, 2026.
The players
St. Michael Catholic Church
A Catholic church in Greenfield, Indiana that held Ash Wednesday services and is hosting Lenten fish fries to benefit local charities.
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church
A Catholic church in Fortville, Indiana that held Ash Wednesday services and is hosting a six-week Lenten program on the consecration of St. Joseph.
Zion Lutheran Church
A Lutheran church in New Palestine, Indiana that held Ash Wednesday services and is hosting weekly Lenten meals and services.
Faith Lutheran Church
A Lutheran church in Greenfield, Indiana that held Ash Wednesday services and is hosting weekly Lenten soup suppers and prayer services.
Mohawk United Methodist Church
A United Methodist church that held Ash Wednesday services in Hancock County, Indiana.
What’s next
Several local churches are hosting additional Lenten programs, services, and events in the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday on April 5, 2026.
The takeaway
Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season remain an important part of religious observance and community life in Hancock County, Indiana, as evidenced by the many local congregations that gathered their faithful for prayer, penance, and spiritual preparation for Easter.
