About Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception - A Pastorate of The Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana · Lafayette, Indiana
The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana, located at 1207 Columbia Street in Lafayette, Indiana. It is the diocesan cathedral — the seat (cathedra) of Bishop Timothy L. Doherty — and operates in pastorate union with St. Ann Church and Shrine under the diocese's "Uniting in Heart" initiative. The Gothic Revival brick-and-concrete church, dedicated August 15, 1866, with its 170-foot central tower, is a contributing property to the St. Mary Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Beyond its Sunday and daily Mass schedule, the cathedral runs a historic Irish-American parish that also hosts the Matthew 25 Care & Share Soup Kitchen and Lafayette Catholic School System ministries.
- Established
- 1843
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of her Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Very Reverend Theodore C. Dudzinski, J.C.L.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
Why belong here
The cathedral is the heart of Catholic life in Greater Lafayette — home of the bishop's cathedra, multiple daily Masses, and one of the most extensive sacramental and outreach programs in the diocese. Whether you are drawn by the historic Gothic interior and stained glass, the weekday Confession schedule, the Monday night Serra Club Holy Hour and Eucharistic Adoration in the cathedral chapel, or the Matthew 25 Care & Share Soup Kitchen that feeds the hungry in Jesus' name, the pastorate offers a place to grow in faith through OCIA, youth ministry (CTEC), family formation, Catholic school education through the Lafayette Catholic School System, and vibrant parish life. Joining St. Mary's means becoming part of a parish family that has worshipped on Columbia Street since 1866 and now serves the wider community together with St. Ann Church.
Mass times at Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception - A Pastorate of The Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday — 6:00 PM
- Thursday — 6:00 PM
- Saturday — 8:30 AM
- By appointment — call the Pastorate Office at (765) 742-4440
Adoration times
- Monday — 7:00 PM Holy Hour, hosted by the Serra Club (St. Mary Cathedral Chapel)
- Saturday — 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM (St. Mary Cathedral Chapel)
- First Saturday of the Month — 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (St. Mary Cathedral Chapel)
- Sunday — 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM (St. Ann Church)
History of the Cathedral
Founded in 1843 by Irish Catholic families in Lafayette and built on Columbia Street starting in 1860, the parish became the diocesan cathedral in 1945 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 as part of the St. Mary Historic District. The Gothic Revival building, with its 170-foot central tower, is built of brick covered with concrete to imitate cut stone, and its interior was enriched with stained glass and frescos in 1887.
- Parish founded 1843
- Land on Columbia Street donated by Lawrence Stockton in 1860
- Groundbreaking 1861, halted by the Civil War, resumed 1865
- Dedicated August 15, 1866 (Feast of the Assumption)
- Frescos and stained glass installed 1887
- Bell tower/steeple completed 1897
- Exterior faced with concrete (1904) and light stone (1928)
- Designated cathedral for the new Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana (1945)
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, June 14, 2001
Pastoral Leadership and Staff
The pastorate is led by Very Reverend Theodore C. Dudzinski, J.C.L., who also serves as Vicar General, Chancellor, and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana. He is assisted by three parochial vicars, a deacon, and a full lay staff including directors of operations, music and liturgy, evangelization, family/youth formation, communications, and the Matthew 25 Soup Kitchen.
- Bishop Most Rev. Timothy L. Doherty, STL, PhD
- Rector/Pastor: Very Rev. Theodore C. Dudzinski, J.C.L.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Joshua M. Janko, D. Min.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Matthew J. Jakupco
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Christopher Omotosho
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. William Summerlin
- Deacon Jim Rush
- Director of Music & Liturgy: Dr. Wendy Yuen
- Director of Evangelization, Parish Life & Pastoral Ministries: Rachel Witt
- Director of Operations: Chris Alter
- Coordinator of Family and Youth Formation: Angela Simmons
- Coordinator of Communications: Joni Bratcher
- Coordinators of Youth Ministry: Bill & Sue Bayley
- Coordinator of OCIA: Kent Leckrone
- Facilities Manager: Rusty Warwick
- Principal (LCSS): Katie Christopher
- St. Mary Cemetery / Sexton: Matt Emery
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is coordinated by Kent Leckrone and supported by the pastorate's Director of Evangelization, Rachel Witt. The parish welcomes inquirers seeking baptism, communion, or confirmation, and currently has a growing team of catechists, sponsors, and meal-providers.
- OCIA Coordinator: Kent Leckrone
- Contact: Rachel Witt, x39120
- Open to catechumens, candidates, and sponsors
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Faith formation is offered for every age through the pastorate. Middle School (grades 7–8) and High School (grades 9–12) gather Wednesday evenings 6:30–8:00 PM for catechesis, service, and fellowship rooted in the four pillars of the Catechism. CTEC (Catholic Teens Encountering Christ) is the high-school youth ministry program, and Bill & Sue Bayley coordinate the Annual Antioch Retreat held on the Cathedral grounds.
- Coordinator of Family and Youth Formation: Angela Simmons
- Youth Ministry Coordinators: Bill & Sue Bayley
- Middle School Faith Formation (7th–8th grade)
- High School Faith Formation (9th–12th grade)
- CTEC — Catholic Teens Encountering Christ
- Annual Antioch Retreat weekend for teens (held at St. Mary Cathedral)
- Confirmation preparation
Music and Liturgy
Music and liturgical ministries are directed by Dr. Wendy Yuen, Director of Music and Liturgy. The cathedral's 11:00 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed, and the music program supports the parish's wide range of Masses and the Serra Club's Monday Holy Hour.
- Director of Music and Liturgy: Dr. Wendy Yuen
- Livestream Mass ministry (Sunday 11:00 AM)
- Holy Hour music (Serra Club, Monday evenings)
Catholic Schools (Lafayette Catholic School System)
The Cathedral pastorate is one of the founding parishes of the Lafayette Catholic School System (LCSS). The parish's rector, Fr. Theodore C. Dudzinski (LCSS Class of '83), serves as a Missionary Pastor on the LCSS Board of Directors and on its Mission Advancement committee. The parish has its own school principal on staff (Katie Christopher).
- Affiliated with Lafayette Catholic School System (LCSS)
- Annual Report published each year by LCSS
- Principal: Katie Christopher
- Pastorate representation on LCSS Board
Matthew 25 Care & Share Soup Kitchen
One of the most visible ministries of the pastorate is the Matthew 25 Care & Share Soup Kitchen at 612 Wabash Avenue (the St. Ann campus). It serves hot meals Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 AM and accepts food donations and volunteers, ages 18 and older.
- Manager: Paula Strong — (765) 742-2704 / kitchen (765) 767-4140
- Service Window: Monday–Friday 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
- Delivery Dock: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Food donations accepted Wednesday–Friday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Monetary gifts: checks to Matthew 25 Care & Share Soup Kitchen, 612 Wabash Ave., Lafayette, IN 47905
- AmazonSmile and online donations supported
- Closes on Lafayette School Corporation holidays and major holy days
Homebound, Eucharistic, and Pastoral Care
Pastoral care of the sick, homebound, and those in nursing homes is coordinated by the parish with Deacon Jim Rush and Fr. Joshua Janko. A Sacramental Emergency line is staffed outside office hours.
- Homebound/Nursing Home Ministry volunteers
- Communion visits to the homebound
- Sacramental Emergency Line: (765) 767-4136
- Anointing of the Sick on request
Knights of the Holy Temple and Serra Club
Two affiliated societies meet at the Cathedral: the Knights of the Holy Temple (a Catholic fraternal organization for boys and young men) and the Serra Club (an international lay apostolate for priestly vocations, which hosts the Monday 7:00 PM Holy Hour at the Cathedral).
- Knights of the Holy Temple
- Serra Club — Monday 7:00 PM Holy Hour at St. Mary Cathedral Chapel
Matrimony and Family Life
Marriage preparation, enrichment opportunities, and information about the annulment process are coordinated through the Pastorate Office.
- Wedding preparation and liturgy planning
- Marriage enrichment programs
- Annulment information and referrals
Get Involved and Volunteer
The pastorate actively recruits volunteers for hospitality, OCIA catechesis, Sunday Mass livestream operation, Soup Kitchen service, social-teaching series, parish social events, and a weekly Catholic doggie-play-date at St. Ann's green space. Contact Rachel Witt, Director of Evangelization.
- Hospitality / welcoming team
- OCIA team — catechists, sponsors, meal-providers
- Soup Kitchen volunteers (ages 18+)
- Liturgical / livestream volunteers
- Parish social and formation events (e.g., Exploration Acres gathering)
- Catholic doggie play-date at St. Ann green space
- Social Teaching Series (summer)
Contact, Office, and Visiting
The Pastorate Office is at 1212 South Street and is open Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Sacramental Emergency line and the Soup Kitchen each have their own dedicated numbers listed below.
- Pastorate Office: 1212 South Street, Lafayette, IN 47901
- Phone: (765) 742-4440
- Fax: (765) 742-8933
- Sacramental Emergency: (765) 767-4136
- Matthew 25 Soup Kitchen: (765) 767-4140
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu, 9:00 AM–4:30 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael Clarke1840s
Early pastor who met the small Irish Catholic community in a room behind a North Fourth Street bookstore and oversaw the building of the first Church of Saints Mary and Martha on Fifth and Brown Streets, completed 1846.
- Rev. Edmund Kilroy1860
Received the Columbia Street land donated by parishioner Lawrence Stockton in 1860 and began grading work for the new church in 1861; construction halted with the start of the Civil War.
- Rev. George Hamilton1865–1866+
Replaced Father Kilroy as pastor and oversaw completion of the Gothic Revival church, which was dedicated August 15, 1866.
