About SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral · Indianapolis, Indiana
SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral is the mother church and seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis, located at Fourteenth and Meridian Streets in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1892 by Bishop Francis Silas Chatard, the parish and cathedral complex were built in stages between 1891 and 1907 in a Classical Revival style designed by the firm of Renwick, Aspinwall & Russell (with William Whetten Renwick, nephew of James Renwick Jr., completing the final design in 1903). As a small urban parish of about 134 registered families seated in a church with capacity for roughly 900–1,000 worshippers, it serves as the site of the archdiocese's most important liturgical events — Chrism Mass, ordinations, Confirmations, and archdiocesan celebrations — while running the city's Cathedral Kitchen and Food Pantry ministry to feed the homeless and food-insecure in central Indianapolis.
- Established
- 1892
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul (Apostles)
- Rector
- Very Rev. James M. Brockmeier, VF, MDiv (Rector)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
SS. Peter and Paul is a small but unusually active downtown parish that sits at the heart of Catholic life in central and southern Indiana — visitors who join a Sunday congregation actually worship in the same chair-filled nave where the archbishop celebrates the Chrism Mass, ordinations, and archdiocesan Confirmations. The parish is known for its commitment to the homeless and hungry through the long-running Cathedral Kitchen and Food Pantry (serving meals seven days a week) and a hands-on St. Vincent de Paul Society that helps neighbors move out of generational poverty. Welcoming liturgy in English and a monthly Filipino Mass, a strong sacred-music program led by the archdiocese's own Director of Liturgical Music, and a tight-knit list of ministries — Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver, OCIA, young adult ministry, bible study, intercessory prayer, and a Creation Care committee rooted in Laudato Si' — make it a genuinely diverse, service-oriented spiritual home for downtown Indianapolis.
Mass times at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: immediately following the 5:15 P.M. Mass
- Sunday: once per month following the 10:00 A.M. Mass (check parish calendar)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Weekly Eucharistic adoration on Fridays from morning until evening (historical tradition re-established during Bishop Chartrand's tenure)
Welcome & Parish Identity
SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral is the parish of the Mother Church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis — the church that contains the cathedra (seat) of the archbishop. Its mission statement reads: 'As the parish of the Mother Church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis, and the church and cathedra of its archbishop, we embrace hospitality, compassion, and evangelization as our special calling.' The parish consciously identifies itself as both a worshipping community for its 134 registered families and a welcoming spiritual home for visitors, inquirers, the poor, the homeless, the oppressed, the ill, and pilgrims from other parishes, dioceses, and faith communities. Core values listed by the parish include the sanctity of human life, diversity, liturgical excellence, sacred music, stewardship, and evangelization.
- Positioning: 'A living tradition and promise hope as we celebrate within our sacred space the sacraments and provide beyond our doors services to all.'
- Welcomes inquirers, the poor, the homeless, the oppressed and the ill
- Listings as Archdiocese of Indianapolis Parish #001
History of the Cathedral
The cathedral's story begins with the Diocese of Vincennes (est. 1834) and Bishop Francis Silas Chatard's plan to relocate the Indiana episcopal see to Indianapolis. After buying land at Meridian and 14th in 1890, Chatard built a chapel and rectory in 1892, which became the nucleus of Saints Peter and Paul Parish. The cathedral proper was designed by James Renwick Jr., redesigned by his nephew William W. Renwick after 1903, and built 1905–1907, with the high altar privately dedicated on December 21, 1906, for use at Christmas Mass. Major renovations followed in 1936 (permanent limestone façade, Christ the King mosaic, red-and-gold ceiling) and again in 1985–1986 (post-Vatican II reordering under architect Edward Sovik, rededicated May 14, 1986). The parish absorbed the closing St. Bridget Parish in 1994 and celebrated its centennial in 2006.
- 1834 — Diocese of Vincennes formed
- 1890 — Bishop Chatard buys lots at 14th & Meridian for $32,500
- 1891–1892 — Chapel and rectory built; chapel dedicated March 25, 1892
- March 28, 1898 — Diocese of Indianapolis erected; SS. Peter & Paul becomes cathedral parish
- 1903 — William Whetten Renwick redesigns cathedral
- August 1905 — Cathedral construction begins
- December 21, 1906 — Private dedication of high altar for Christmas Masses
- 1936 — Permanent limestone façade completed; Christ the King mosaic installed
- 1967 — Cathedral grade school closes
- 1985–1986 — Major post-Vatican II renovation under architect Edward Sovik
- May 14, 1986 — Rededication
- 1994 — St. Bridget Parish members welcomed into cathedral parish
- 2006 — Parish centennial celebrated
Architecture & Sacred Art
The cathedral is a Classical Revival limestone-and-brick church modeled on several historic Roman churches, particularly St. John Lateran. Its 1936 mosaic of Christ the King flanked by Saints Peter and Paul dominates the apse, and the nave ceiling was painted in red and gold as part of the same 1936 renovation. The 1986 renovation by Edward A. Sovik of Northfield, Minnesota replaced fixed pews with movable chairs, installed a new oak altar with a marble top, an oak cathedra, a new ambo, and a baptismal font that incorporates pieces of the original marble communion rail. The marble pulpit, communion rail, side altars, stations of the cross, and side-chapel altars were removed during the post-Vatican II reordering. A handicap-accessible entrance and elevator were added at the northwest corner.
- Style: Classical Revival (inspired by Roman churches, esp. St. John Lateran)
- Architects: Renwick, Aspinwall & Russell (initial design); William Whetten Renwick (1903 redesign)
- 1985–1986 renovation architect: Edward A. Sovik (Sovik, Mathre, Sathrum, Quanbeck, Northfield, MN)
- Materials: Limestone and brick
- Capacity: 900 (archdiocesan directory) – 1,000 (parish/Wikipedia)
- Christ the King mosaic in the apse (1936)
- Red-and-gold nave ceiling
Mass & Sacramental Schedule
Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 5:15 P.M., with the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) heard immediately afterward. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 10:00 A.M. in English, and a Filipino (Tagalog) Mass is offered at 3:30 P.M. on the fourth Sunday of each month. Sunday Mass is livestreamed from the cathedral via ssppc.org/streaming and recordings are archived on the IndianaCatholic YouTube channel.
- Weekday Mass: Monday–Friday 5:15 P.M.
- Sunday Mass: 10:00 A.M.
- Filipino Mass: 4th Sunday of the month, 3:30 P.M.
- Confessions: Mon–Fri after 5:15 P.M. Mass; monthly after Sunday Mass; by appointment
- Livestream: ssppc.org/streaming and youtube.com/@IndianaCatholic
Sacraments
The cathedral celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptism is offered for infants, older children, and adults through OCIA/RCIC; First Holy Communion and Confirmation are offered to youth and adults (the latter via OCIA); Reconciliation is heard after every weekday Mass and monthly on Sunday; Anointing of the Sick is celebrated communally each year and individually on request; Weddings are a major part of the cathedral's ministry, drawing couples from across the archdiocese; and Funerals are scheduled through the parish office. In sacramental emergencies, the parish can be reached at 317-634-4519 (option 3 outside business hours).
- Baptism — baptism request form emailed to [email protected]
- First Holy Communion
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Anointing of the Sick — communal annual and on request
- Matrimony (Weddings)
- Funerals — by arrangement with the parish office
Staff
The day-to-day life of the parish is led by Rector Very Rev. James M. Brockmeier, VF, MDiv, assisted by Rev. Benjamin Syberg (Priest in Residence), and a small professional staff that also serves the archdiocese. Andrew Motyka is the Director of Archdiocesan and Cathedral Liturgical Music, Emily Colmenar is Director of Operations, Keri Carroll is Executive Assistant, Terrence Toon manages the Cathedral Kitchen, and Erica Grunden serves as housekeeper.
- Rector: Very Rev. James M. Brockmeier, VF, MDiv — [email protected]
- Priest in Residence: Rev. Benjamin Syberg, BA, MDiv
- Director of Operations: Emily Colmenar — [email protected]
- Director of Archdiocesan and Cathedral Liturgical Music: Andrew Motyka — [email protected]
- Executive Assistant: Keri Carroll — [email protected]
- Cathedral Kitchen Manager: Terrence Toon — [email protected]
- Housekeeper: Erica Grunden
Ministries & Outreach
Despite its small size, the parish runs an unusually wide range of ministries. Liturgical ministries (altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, sacristans, ushers, greeters, arts & environment) support the Masses, while the Music Ministry (choir and cantors) is led by the archdiocese's own Director of Liturgical Music. Outreach is anchored by the Cathedral Kitchen and Food Pantry, which serves hot meals and groceries to the homeless and food-insecure seven days a week, and by the St. Vincent de Paul Society's Changing Lives Forever program that helps families break out of generational poverty. The parish also hosts the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver, OCIA inquiry classes each autumn, bible study, young adult ministry, an Intercessory Prayer email ministry ([email protected]), and a Creation Care virtual committee rooted in Pope Francis's Laudato Si'.
- Liturgical Ministries (altar servers, lectors, EMHC, sacristans, ushers, greeters, arts & environment)
- Music Ministry — Cathedral Choir and cantors
- Cathedral Kitchen & Food Pantry — Sun 12:00–1:00 p.m.; weekdays 8:30–10:00 a.m.; 1350 N. Pennsylvania St.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — Changing Lives Forever program; contact Andreas Sashegyi 317-532-7414
- Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary — contact Frank Loyd, Jr. or Debra Cooper
- OCIA / RCIA — inquiry sessions in late summer, classes beginning in fall
- Bible Study
- Young Adult Ministry
- Intercessory Prayer Ministry — [email protected]
- Creation Care virtual Committee (Laudato Si') — contact Joe Shierling
- Spiritual Direction — referrals through the archdiocesan spiritual direction office
Cathedral Kitchen & Food Pantry
The Cathedral Kitchen and Food Pantry is the primary charitable outreach of the parish, located in the basement of 1350 N. Pennsylvania St. It serves the homeless and those in need on Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Donations of food and money are always needed, and volunteers help with shopping, cooking, serving, and preparing food pantry bags. The kitchen shares its building with the former cathedral grade school, which also housed the Damien Center from 1987 to 2006.
- Hours: Sun 12:00–1:00 p.m.; weekdays 8:30–10:00 a.m.
- Location: Basement of 1350 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis
- Information: 317-632-4360
- Manager: Terrence Toon ([email protected])
Music & Liturgy
The parish teaches that 'sacred music holds a primary place among the arts,' and at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral music is treated as an essential and integral component of the Sacred Liturgy. The music program is led by Andrew Motyka, who serves both as Director of Archdiocesan Liturgical Music and as Cathedral Director of Music, ensuring that cathedral celebrations model best practice for the wider archdiocese. Opportunities exist for adults to serve as choir members or cantors.
- Cathedral Choir — open to adult volunteers
- Cantor program
- Liturgical ensemble supporting Sunday, weekday, and archdiocesan celebrations
Archdiocesan Role
Because the cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Indianapolis (currently Archbishop Charles C. Thompson), it is the customary setting for the most significant liturgical events of the 39-county archdiocese: the annual Chrism Mass during Holy Week, when the holy oils are blessed and distributed; ordinations to the priesthood and diaconate; the celebration of Confirmation for large groups; archdiocesan jubilee Masses; and special celebrations with visiting clergy. The cathedral is also a popular site for weddings from across central Indiana.
- Chrism Mass during Holy Week
- Ordinations to the priesthood and diaconate
- Archdiocesan Confirmations
- Archdiocesan jubilee and special Masses
- Weddings from across the archdiocese
Cathedral Campus
The cathedral occupies a city block bounded roughly by Meridian, Pennsylvania, 13th, and 14th Streets. In addition to the cathedral itself, the campus includes the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, the bishop's rectory, the former Cathedral High School building (renovated in 1982 into the Catholic Center that now houses most archdiocesan offices), the former Cathedral grade school (now home to the Cathedral Kitchen and Food Pantry and formerly the Damien Center), and the former St. Agnes Academy building (converted to apartments).
- Cathedral (capacity 900–1,000)
- Blessed Sacrament Chapel and bishop's rectory (both renovated 1992)
- Catholic Center (former Cathedral High School, 1982)
- Cathedral Kitchen / Food Pantry (former grade school)
- St. Agnes Academy apartments
Getting Involved, Visiting & Giving
Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed at all scheduled Masses; weekday confession is heard immediately after the 5:15 P.M. Mass. The parish livestreams Sunday Mass and archives recordings online for the homebound and traveling faithful. Online giving is available through a new Abundant donation portal at abundant.co/saintspeterandpaulca/give (the prior Acceptiva portal was retired at the end of June 2024) and by texting SSPPCGIVING to 73256. To become a registered parishioner or to volunteer with a specific ministry, contact the parish office at 317-634-4519 or [email protected].
- Online giving portal: abundant.co/saintspeterandpaulca/give
- Text-to-give: SSPPCGIVING to 73256
- Livestream: ssppc.org/streaming
- Parish office: 317-634-4519
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. August Bessonies1892–1901
First rector, moved into the chapel rectory in April 1892; pioneer priest of the Diocese of Vincennes, born in France 1815, died in Indianapolis Feb. 22, 1901.
- Rev. Joseph ChartrandAppointed rector December 26, 1905
Ordained at Saints Peter & Paul Chapel on September 24, 1892; named coadjutor bishop of Indianapolis and consecrated at the cathedral on September 15, 1910; succeeded Bishop Chatard upon his death on September 7, 1918.
- Rev. Joseph Elmer RitterNamed rector August 25, 1925
Consecrated auxiliary bishop at the cathedral in 1933; appointed Bishop of Indianapolis March 26, 1934; became first Archbishop of Indianapolis when the diocese was elevated to an archdiocese on November 17, 1944.
- Very Rev. Daniel M. Buechlein, OSBPastor 1983 (approx.)
Served as pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral Parish before being named fourth Bishop of Evansville on March 8, 1989; later Archbishop of Indianapolis 1989–1992.
- Very Rev. Patrick J. Beidelman, S.T.L.2005–2014
Pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral from 2005 and director of liturgy, Office of Worship; graduate studies at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome 2007–2009; became rector in 2014 while continuing as executive director, Secretariat for Spiritual Life and Worship.
- Very Rev. James M. Brockmeier2019–present
Priest moderator pro tem of Holy Angels and St. Rita parishes from 2019 in addition to serving as rector of the cathedral and executive director, Secretariat for Spiritual Life and Worship; still serving as rector as of 2024.
