About Holy Name of Jesus · Beech Grove, Indiana
Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church (formally the Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus) is a Roman Catholic parish in Beech Grove, Indiana, in Marion County on the south side of Indianapolis. Founded in 1908 by Father Peter J. Killian as Blessed Sacrament Parish and renamed to its present title in 1918, it has served generations of railroad families and now welcomes about 738 families. The parish operates Holy Name Catholic School (PK-8), runs an active St. Vincent de Paul Society, and gathers the community around traditional liturgy, organ music, and year-round parish festivals.
- Established
- 1908
- Patron
- The Most Holy Name of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Robert Robeson
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis (Metropolitan Archdiocese)
Why belong here
Holy Name of Jesus is a stable, multi-generational parish on the Indianapolis southside where 'there's a great love for the Catholic faith and a desire to live the Catholic faith,' in the words of its pastor. Families who join can send their children to the parish's PK-8 school (founded 1922), participate in a full Sacramental life (daily Mass, generous confession hours, weekly Eucharistic Adoration with Monday evening and all-day Thursday Holy Hours), serve neighbors in need through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and gather around beloved parish traditions such as the annual Christmas Concert and Oktoberfest. With 738 registered families and a clergy team of a pastor, parochial vicar, and deacon, the parish is large enough to offer real programs and small enough to know you by name.
Mass times at Holy Name of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM (No confessions on holidays)
- Tuesday 7:30 AM – 7:50 AM
- Wednesday 6:15 PM – 7:00 PM (after 5:45 PM Mass)
- Thursday 7:30 AM – 7:50 AM
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (No confessions on Christmas Day)
Adoration times
- Monday 6:15 PM – 9:00 PM (following the 5:45 PM Mass; no adoration on holidays)
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (following the 8:00 AM Mass, concluding with Benediction at 9:00 PM; no adoration on Thursday, December 26)
Parish History
Holy Name of Jesus Parish was founded in 1908 by Father Peter J. Killian, who first celebrated Mass in the upstairs of his own home as Blessed Sacrament Parish. The community was renamed Holy Name of Jesus in 1918. The parish grew hand in hand with the railroad town of Beech Grove, which had been incorporated in late 1906 and boomed with the completion of the Big Four Railroad (now Amtrak) locomotive repair shops in 1908. The current church was built in 1954 in Art Deco style, and the parish school was added in 1922 — both anchor institutions of the Beech Grove southside Catholic community for generations.
- Founded 1908 by Father Peter J. Killian
- Originally Blessed Sacrament Parish; renamed Holy Name of Jesus in 1918
- Current church built in 1954; Art Deco exterior, stone and marble interior
- Tied historically to the Big Four / Amtrak railroad shops
Church Building & Architecture
The worship space was built in 1954 and is described by the pastor as a classic example of Art Deco architecture. Inside, the sanctuary is finished in stone and marble and features a huge white marble corpus over the altar. The Stations of the Cross line the nave and are walked by parishioners throughout the day. The building seats 600 and is accessible via the parking-lot door from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Built 1954, Art Deco exterior
- Stone and marble interior with white marble corpus over the altar
- Stations of the Cross walked throughout the day
- Capacity 600; parking-lot door open 6:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
Mass & Liturgy
The parish offers a generous weekly Mass schedule, with a Saturday vigil and two Sunday Masses, plus a daily Mass Monday through Saturday at varying times. All Masses are celebrated in English. The parish is well known for its traditional organ music, and the annual Christmas Concert — featuring the organ along with the adult and youth choirs — is a beloved tradition now more than 60 years old.
- Saturday vigil 5:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM
- Daily Mass Mon/Wed 5:45 PM; Tue/Thu 8:00 AM; Fri/Sat 8:15 AM
- All Masses in English
- Traditional organ music; annual Christmas Concert (organ + adult and youth choirs)
Holy Name Catholic School
A ministry of the parish since 1922, Holy Name Catholic School serves students in Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade and is housed at 21 N. 17th Ave., directly adjacent to the church. The school is described by the parish as pairing a rich teaching tradition with new initiatives for 21st-century learners, and as the parish's oldest and largest ministry. Most teachers are members of the parish and 'take very seriously their role as ministers.' Total enrollment is about 270 students.
- Founded 1922 (celebrated 100th anniversary in 2022)
- PK-8, located at 21 N. 17th Ave., Beech Grove, IN 46107
- Principal: Amy Wright ([email protected])
- School phone: 317-784-9078; Fax: 317-788-3616
- Website: www.school.holyname.cc
- Total enrollment ~270 students
Religious Education & Sacraments
The parish runs a Religious Education program using the Faith and Life Series for students from Pre-Kindergarten through 7th grade. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is offered in the 2nd grade year. Registration is modest ($20 for one child, $30 for two, $40 for three or more; no child is refused for lack of funds) and accepts cash, check, or credit card.
- Faith and Life Series curriculum
- PreK through 7th grade
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist prepared in 2nd grade
- Confirmation preparation offered
- Fees: $20 / $30 / $40 for 1 / 2 / 3+ children
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Holy Name is anchored by long-running lay organizations that fundraise, feed, and care for both parish and town. The St. Vincent de Paul Society helps local families with rent, utilities, food, and basic needs on a case-by-case basis. The Men's Club runs events and fundraisers, and the Altar Society hosts the popular summer rummage sales and the November Christmas Bazaar.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (meets 2nd Monday, 7:00 PM in the Franciscan Room)
- Men's Club (events and fundraisers)
- Altar Society (rummage sales, Christmas Bazaar)
- Parish Council (chaired by David Caito)
- Liturgical Ministries: Ushers, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Lectors
- Adult Choir and Youth Choir
Parish Festivals & Community Life
Beyond Sunday Mass, Holy Name has a strong community life built around beloved annual events and town partnerships. The parish is 'very integrated with the Beech Grove community,' according to Father Robeson, including school- and parish-organized cleanup activities done in conjunction with city efforts.
- Annual Oktoberfest (first weekend of October, with authentic German food)
- Annual Christmas Concert in December (organ + adult and youth choirs)
- School and parish cleanup days with the city
- Photo with Father Robeson for school classes after 10:30 AM Sunday Mass
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently led by Pastor Rev. Robert Robeson, with Parochial Vicar Rev. Isaac Siefker and Deacon Gary Blackwell assisting. A lay staff supports administration, evangelization, and facilities.
- Pastor: Rev. Robert Robeson
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Isaac Siefker
- Deacon: Gary Blackwell
- Pastoral Associate: Joseph Chrisman
- Coordinator of Evangelization: John Watson
- Parish Council Chair: David Caito
- Director of Building and Grounds: Mike Hemmelgarn
- Business Manager: Matthew Sierp
- Administrative Assistants: Sr. Sheila Fitzpatrick; Zahyra Arenas
Visit, Contact & Practical Info
The parish welcomes visitors and is open for personal prayer via the parking-lot door from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The parish office can be reached by phone, email, or in person.
- Address: 89 N. 17th Ave., Beech Grove, IN 46107-1531
- Phone: 317-784-5454; Fax: 317-784-1834
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.holyname.cc
- Parking-lot door access 6:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
- About five or six blocks from Beech Grove's Main Street corridor