St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Indianapolis

Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, located in downtown Indianapolis, is a historic and architectural treasure of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Founded in 1837 as Holy Cross Parish, it was renamed in 1850 and is the oldest Catholic parish in both Indianapolis and Marion County. Often referred to as the "mother" of Catholic parishes in the city, Saint John’s played a pivotal role in the establishment and growth of the Catholic Church in the region.

Between 1878 and 1906, Saint John’s functioned as the diocese's pro-cathedral. Its rectory served dual roles as the bishop’s residence and the diocesan chancery during that period. In 1900, the church hosted the first episcopal consecration held in Indianapolis, further solidifying its place in local ecclesiastical history. Despite its unofficial status as a cathedral, Saint John’s served many diocesan purposes until Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral was completed in 1906.

The parish’s influence extended well into the 20th century, with its rectory housing the diocesan chancery until 1968 and serving as the metropolitan tribunal until 1982. Both the church and rectory were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

The current Saint John’s Church, the parish's third structure, occupies a prominent position at the corner of Georgia Street and Capitol Avenue. Designed by Diedrich A. Bohlen, a prominent Indianapolis architect, the red-brick building was constructed between 1867 and 1871. Bohlen also designed the rectory (1863) and its later addition (1878). His son, Oscar Bohlen, designed the church’s twin spires, completed in 1893.

Architecturally, the church is an eclectic masterpiece combining elements of French Gothic Revival and American Romanesque Revival styles. Its sanctuary, with a seating capacity of 3,000, was the largest in Indiana when the cornerstone was laid in 1867. The church was officially dedicated on July 2, 1871. Whether as a place of worship or a monument to the city's Catholic roots, Saint John’s continues to inspire awe and devotion.