The oldest Catholic parish in Indianapolis, housed since 1871 in a French Gothic Revival church that once served as the city’s de facto cathedral.
At a glance
The parish was founded in 1837 as Holy Cross and renamed Saint John the Evangelist in 1850. Its present church, built between 1867 and 1871 on Georgia Street, seats 3,000 people. For decades it functioned as the pro-cathedral of the diocese, hosting major episcopal events.
History
Holy Cross parish was established in 1837, making it the oldest Catholic parish in Indianapolis and Marion County. It was renamed Saint John the Evangelist in 1850. From 1878 until 1906 the church served as the pro-cathedral of the diocese, while its rectory housed the bishop’s residence and chancery until 1892. In 1900 it hosted the first episcopal consecration held in Indianapolis.
Though many considered Saint John’s the diocesan cathedral, it was never officially named as such. Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral in Vincennes remained the official cathedral until 1898, when the episcopal see moved to Indianapolis and became the Diocese of Indianapolis. Diocesan functions continued at Saint John’s until Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral was completed in 1906.
What you see
The present church is the parish’s third building and the second on the Georgia Street site, located at the southwest corner of Georgia Street and Capitol Avenue. It is the main structure in a group of parish buildings that includes the rectory and an addition.
Diedrich A. Bohlen, founder of the Indianapolis firm D. A. Bohlen and Son, designed the rectory in 1863, the church between 1867 and 1871, and a rectory addition in 1878. His son Oscar designed the twin spires and supervised their construction in 1893. The red-brick building combines French Gothic Revival and American Romanesque Revival elements. When the cornerstone was laid in 1867, it was the largest church in Indiana.
Cultural significance
Saint John’s is considered the mother of the Catholic parishes in Indianapolis. It played an important role in the development of the Catholic Church in the city. The church and rectory were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The rectory continued to house the diocesan chancery until 1968 and served as the metropolitan tribunal until 1982.
Key facts
- Country: United States
- City: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Coordinates: 39.7644, -86.1614
- National Register of Historic Places: 1980
Practical information & getting there
The church stands at the southwest corner of Georgia Street and Capitol Avenue in downtown Indianapolis. It is an active parish of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
Sources & resources
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