About St. Joan of Arc · Indianapolis, Indiana
St. Joan of Arc Parish is a Catholic parish in the historic Meridian Street / Central Avenue corridor on the north side of Indianapolis, Indiana, founded in 1921 and now part of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The parish serves roughly 906 registered families from its Roman basilica-style church at 4217 Central Avenue, a striking Bedford-stone building with a 140-foot campanile designed in 1928–29 by Chicago architect Henry J. Schlacks. The community gathers for daily and Sunday Mass in English, runs a PK-8 grade school (also named St. Joan of Arc), and is widely known across Indianapolis for its annual French Market festival, voted Indianapolis Monthly's Best Church Festival in 2025.
- Established
- 1921
- Patron
- St. Joan of Arc
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas Schliessmann
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Joan of Arc offers the rare combination of a landmark Roman basilica church, an in-house PK-8 school, and a tight-knit, multicultural community on Indianapolis's historic northside. Daily and Sunday Mass in English, weekly Eucharistic Adoration multiple days a week, a vibrant Music Ministry, OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults, and robust faith formation for children and youth give newcomers multiple ways to be formed and to serve. The parish's famous French Market festival — voted Best Church Festival in the Indianapolis Monthly Readers' Choice Awards — is both a fundraiser for the school and ministries and an open invitation for the wider neighborhood to gather at the parish.
Mass times at St. Joan of Arc
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- See parish website / call parish office for the current confession schedule (the parish publishes Confession as a regular service but specific days/times were not listed on the pages reviewed).
Adoration times
- Tuesday 6:00–7:00 a.m. (parish considering expansion to 6:00–8:00 a.m.)
- Wednesday 7:00–8:00 a.m.
- Thursday 6:00–7:00 a.m. (parish considering expansion to 6:00–8:00 a.m.)
- Thursday 8:00–10:00 p.m.
- Friday 3:00–4:00 p.m.
- First Friday 12:00–5:00 p.m.
- Every Friday during Lent 12:00–6:00 p.m.
Parish History & Centennial Story
St. Joan of Arc Parish was founded in 1921, the year after Joan of Arc was canonized, with Fr. Alphonse Smith as its first pastor. The parish grew quickly on Indianapolis's developing northside, outgrowing its original Mission Revival church within seven years. The present Roman basilica was dedicated in 1929 and celebrated its centennial in 2021 with a major restoration funded in part by a $250,000 matching grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places. A new terrazzo floor, a new Altar of Sacrifice with Italian-made mosaics, restored wall paintings, restored Stations of the Cross, new air conditioning, an updated heating system, and an accessible restroom were all part of the centennial restoration.
- Founded 1921 by Bishop Joseph Chartrand; first pastor Fr. Alphonse Smith (1883–1935)
- First church (Mission Revival, architect John Hagel) dedicated July 17, 1921 at Ruckle and Park Avenue
- Present Roman basilica designed by Chicago architect Henry J. Schlacks, ground broken Nov. 6, 1928, dedicated Dec. 15, 1929
- Msgr. Maurice O'Connor (1844–1929) commissioned the present church
- Centennial restoration completed in 2021 with new Altar of Sacrifice by Mazzolini Artcraft
Art & Architecture of the Church
The church is a Roman basilica deliberately chosen by Msgr. O'Connor to distinguish the parish from the Gothic-style Protestant churches nearby. Chicago architect Henry J. Schlacks, founder of the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture, modeled the campanile and portal on the ancient Church of Santa Pudenziana and the façade and interior on the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. The exterior is sheathed in 1,100,000 common brick faced with Bedford stone, topped by a massive green tile roof, and dominated by a 140-foot campanile.
- Exterior: 1,100,000 common brick faced with Bedford stone
- 140-foot campanile (bell tower)
- Dimensions: 95 ft along Central Ave, 200 ft along 42nd St, 75 ft to tile roof
- Interior includes mosaics, Stations of the Cross paintings, ceiling paintings (1950)
- Bronze sanctuary gates and a centenary fleur-de-lis in the new terrazzo floor
Lenten Devotions & Holy Week
On Fridays during Lent the parish gathers for Rosary at 6:00 p.m., Mass at 6:30 p.m., and Stations of the Cross with Benediction at 7:00 p.m. Adoration runs noon to 6:00 p.m. on those Fridays. The parish also participates in CRS Rice Bowl, collects canned corn for the North Deanery Easter meal effort, and joins the 40 Days for Life spring campaign with prayer vigils at the local Planned Parenthood.
- Friday Lenten Rosary, Mass, and Stations of the Cross with Benediction
- CRS Rice Bowl participation
- North Deanery canned-corn collection for Easter meals
- 40 Days for Life vigil (Tuesdays 4:00–7:00 p.m.)
St. Joan of Arc School
The parish school has educated Indianapolis children since 1921, when it was built at Park and 42nd Street. It is now a PK-8 school at 500 E. 42nd St., adjacent to the church, with about 248 students. The school was built in three phases — 1921 (designed by the local firm D.A. Bohlen and Son), 1928, and 1954 — and a 2001 project added a gymnasium/multi-function room, school offices, and kitchen, replacing the original mission church that had long served as a classroom annex.
- PK-8, about 248 students
- Principal: Nancy Kmiecik ([email protected])
- Address: 500 E. 42nd St., Indianapolis, IN 46205
- Phone: 317-283-1518
- Three construction phases: 1921 (D.A. Bohlen and Son), 1928, 1954
- PTO supports the school via fundraising
Faith Formation, OCIA & Youth
Catechists teach parish youth the faith, and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) introduces adults interested in the Catholic faith to Church teaching and to the St. Joan of Arc community. The parish also runs a dedicated Youth Ministry for teens and tweens and a Young Adult Leadership Team for young adults.
- Catechists (youth faith formation)
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Youth Ministry (teens and tweens)
- Young Adult Leadership Team
- Altar Server Program (grades 3–12)
Music & Liturgical Ministries
The Music Ministry, directed by Lee Barlow, supports parish liturgies through cantors, choir, and instrumentalists. A Mass Livestream Team records and broadcasts Mass for those unable to attend in person, and Art & Environment volunteers decorate the worship space throughout the liturgical year. Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, and the Altar Society round out the parish's liturgical life.
- Music Director: Lee Barlow
- Cantor, choir, and instrumentalist opportunities
- Mass Livestream Team
- Art & Environment
- Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Altar Society
Outreach, Charity & Respect Life
The parish runs an active outreach program through the Care Packages, Communion to the Sick, Bereavement, Food/Meal Ministry, Angel Tree (gifts for children of prisoners at Christmas), and Community Garden ministries. The Respect Life committee advocates for the dignity of life at every stage and joins the 40 Days for Life campaign locally.
- Care Packages for bereaved, homebound, and seniors
- Communion to the Sick (Deacon Mark Henry)
- Bereavement Ministry
- Food/Meal Ministry for parishioners after surgery or new baby
- Angel Tree (Christmas gifts for children of prisoners)
- Community Garden
- Respect Life committee
The French Market Festival
The St. Joan of Arc French Market is a one-day, free-admission outdoor festival that responsibly celebrates the feast day of the parish's patron and supports the parish school. It features authentic French dishes prepared on-site, French wine, live music all day, an artisan craft fair, a raffle, a children's area, and a Mass said in French in the 100-year-old church at 5:30 p.m. It began around 30 years ago as a small Sunday-afternoon family picnic and has grown into a major neighborhood street fair, with more than 600 volunteer opportunities. It was voted Best Church Festival in the 2025 Indianapolis Monthly Readers' Choice Awards. The parish recommends riding IndyGo's Red Line to the 42nd Street station for the event.
- Free-admission outdoor festival with French food, wine, live music, and artisan booths
- Mass in French at 5:30 p.m. in the church
- Major fundraiser for the parish school
- Voted 2025 Best Church Festival, Indianapolis Monthly Readers' Choice Awards
- IndyGo Red Line (42nd Street station) recommended for getting there
Parish Life, Fellowship & Welcoming Newcomers
Parish Companions welcome and mentor new parishioners, helping them become fully engaged in parish life. Other fellowship and service groups include the Men's Club, Women's Ministry, Knights of Columbus, Marriage Ministry, Babies & Bagels / Tots & Tea, Gardening & Grounds, and the Finance and Pastoral Councils.
- Parish Companions (new parishioner welcome/mentor ministry)
- Men's Club Ministry
- Women's Ministry
- Knights of Columbus
- Marriage Ministry
- Babies & Bagels / Tots & Tea
- Evangelization Team
Staff & Parish Leadership
St. Joan of Arc is led by Pastor Rev. Thomas Schliessmann with Deacon Mark Henry. The parish staff includes a Pastoral Associate, Business Manager, Finance Director, Music Director, Parish Secretary, Bookkeeper, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, and Coordinator of Religious Education.
- Pastor: Rev. Thomas Schliessmann ([email protected])
- Deacon: Mark Henry ([email protected])
- Pastoral Associate: Melinda Rivelli ([email protected])
- Business Manager: Meghan Archer ([email protected])
- Finance Director: Karen Tearman ([email protected])
- Music Director: Lee Barlow ([email protected])
- Parish Secretary: Adele Kirk ([email protected])
- Coordinator of Youth Ministry: Erich Wiitala ([email protected])
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Stephanie Engelman ([email protected])
- Bookkeeper: Audrey Nollet ([email protected])
- School Principal: Nancy Kmiecik ([email protected])
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Alphonse Smith1921–c.1935
Founding pastor (1883–1935); led the parish through its first decade and the construction of the original mission church and school.
- Msgr. Maurice O'Connorserved through 1929 (d. 1929)
Pastor who commissioned the present Roman basilica church, deliberately choosing a non-Gothic Catholic landmark to distinguish it from nearby Protestant churches.
- Fr. Guy Robertsassociate 2006; pastor 2009–2021
Served as associate pastor from 2006 and as pastor from 2009; preached the homily at the parish's 100th anniversary Mass on July 17, 2021, just weeks before being assigned to St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis.
- Fr. Joseph Newtonc. 2021
Referenced in the archdiocesan Criterion as the parish's new pastor in 2021 at the time of the centennial.
- Rev. Thomas Schliessmanncurrent
Current pastor per the Archdiocese of Indianapolis parish directory and parish website.