Fr. Ben Muhlenkamp was born in Coldwater, OH in 1982 and attended St. Mary of the Presentation Church in Geneva, IN with his family. Growing up, he had hopes of taking over his parent's dairy farm but decided to go to college to find a wife instead!
While attending Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, he was an active presence at Saint Vincent de Paul Parish in Fort Wayne. During his junior year of college, Fr. Ben began to help out with Life Teen Youth Ministry. That incredible experience helped him hear God's call to religious life.
He entered the seminary in Fall 2006 and studied at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, OH for six years. After completing his formation and ordination to the diaconate, Bishop Rhoades called Fr. Ben to be ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 2012.
Fr. Ben served at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Fort Wayne for three years as Parochial Vicar. In 2015 he was assigned to serve as pastor of Saint Louis Besancon Parish outside of New Haven, IN, where he shepherded faithfully until June 2020. During his eight years in Fort Wayne, Fr. Ben also served as Chaplain at Bishop Luers High School.
Fr. Ben was assigned to St. Anthony on June 23, 2020 and is delighted to be the pastor of this parish community.