St. Mary's Catholic Church, Indianapolis

Saint Mary Catholic Church, located at the corner of New Jersey and Vermont Streets in Indianapolis, is a historic Roman Catholic parish within the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Founded in 1858 to serve the city’s burgeoning German Catholic community, the parish boasts a rich heritage and a landmark church completed in 1912. Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, the church is a testament to late Gothic Revival architecture, inspired by the grandeur of Cologne Cathedral in Germany.

The parish began in 1856 when Reverend Peter Leonard Brandt arrived to serve Indianapolis's German-speaking Catholics. Under Reverend Simon Siegrist, its first church was built on East Maryland Street in 1858, offering services in Latin and German. In the early 20th century, the parish relocated to New Jersey and Vermont Streets, constructing the current church that honors its Germanic heritage.

Designed by Cologne-born architect Hermann J. Gaul, Saint Mary’s features a cruciform plan with a narthex and semi-octagonal apse. The stone façade is divided into three sections: a gabled central portion with a trefoil motif, a finial, and Virgin Mary statue, and flanking towers crowned with spires. Tympana depicts the Crucifixion, Birth of Christ, and Ascension. Buttresses, vaulted arches, and gargoyles add to its Gothic charm.

The interior features a vaulted ceiling, a semi-octagonal apse, and numerous statues, skylights, and stained-glass windows. Among the notable stained-glass depictions are Saint Boniface, credited with converting the Germans to Christianity, and Saint Henry of Uppsala, honored as a "church builder." The sanctuary’s intricate art glass windows and ornate details create a serene and spiritually uplifting atmosphere.

Saint Mary Catholic Church remains a cherished landmark in Indianapolis, celebrated for its architectural splendor and enduring legacy as a vibrant center of faith and community.