About St. John the Evangelist [Historic Church] · Indianapolis, Indiana
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church is the oldest Catholic parish in Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana, founded in 1837 as Holy Cross parish and renamed St. John the Evangelist in 1850. Located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis at 126 W. Georgia Street across from the Indiana Convention Center, it served as the pro-cathedral of the diocese from 1878 to 1906 and housed the diocesan chancery until 1968 and the Metropolitan Tribunal until 1982. Today it is a vibrant, diverse urban parish designated by the Archbishop as the hub for young adult ministry, with a strong campus ministry serving IUPUI students and a renowned outreach to homeless neighbors through its Emmaus Ministry, while also serving as the perpetual adoration chapel for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress held in 2024.
- Established
- 1837
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Very Rev. Timothy M. Wyciskalla (effective July 2, 2025)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. John's offers something rare: a historic downtown landmark parish where you can pray before the Blessed Sacrament in extended adoration (more than 40 hours per week), serve homeless neighbors three meals a day through the Emmaus Ministry, walk alongside a thriving community of young adults and IUPUI students (about half the parish is aged 18–35), and join small-group faith formation or RCIA—all in the same cruciform French Gothic church that has been the spiritual heartbeat of Indianapolis Catholicism since 1837.
Mass times at St. John the Evangelist [Historic Church]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (prior to 12:10 PM daily Mass)
Adoration times
- Monday 11:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday 11:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday 11:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday 11:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Friday 11:30 AM – 7:00 PM (with Holy Hour of Adoration 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Sunday 11:30 AM – 7:00 PM (following the 10:30 AM Mass)
History of St. John the Evangelist
St. John the Evangelist is the oldest Catholic parish in Indianapolis and Marion County, tracing its origins to 1837 when Father Vincent Bacquelin celebrated the first regularly scheduled Mass in the city. Originally called Holy Cross parish, it was renamed St. John the Evangelist in 1850 after Father Bacquelin's patron saint when a new brick church was built on Georgia Street. The present cruciform French Gothic church, designed by Diedrich A. Bohlen of D.A. Bohlen and Son, was begun in April 1867 and the main structure completed in 1871; the twin spires were not added until 1893 by Bohlen's son Oscar. The parish served as the pro-cathedral of the diocese from 1878 to 1906, and the adjoining rectory housed the bishop's residence and chancery until 1892. The church and rectory were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, and St. John's again served as pro-cathedral in 1985 when SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral was renovated.
- 1837 – Father Bacquelin founds Holy Cross parish; first Mass at a local tavern
- 1840 – Chapel of the Holy Cross completed (40 by 24 feet), first Mass Oct. 11, 1840
- 1846 – Bishop de la Hailandière purchases three lots on Georgia Street for $2,300
- 1850 – 80-by-40-foot brick church built; parish renamed St. John the Evangelist
- 1859 – St. John's Academy opens, first Catholic school in Indianapolis (Sisters of Providence)
- 1863 – New rectory built adjacent to the church
- 1867 – Construction begins on the present church; three-story brick school for boys built (Brothers of the Sacred Heart until 1929)
- 1871 – Main church building completed
- 1874 – First ordination of priests in Indianapolis held at St. John's
- 1878 – Bishop Chatard establishes residence; church becomes proto-cathedral
- 1893 – Twin spires added by Oscar Bohlen
- 1900 – First episcopal consecration in the diocese
- 1903 – Bishop Chatard's Silver Episcopal Jubilee celebrated at St. John's
- 1906 – SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral opens; proto-cathedral role ends
- 1971 – Restoration for centennial
- 1980 – Placed on the National Register of Historic Places
- 1985 – Again serves as proto-cathedral during cathedral renovation
- 2009 – Named parish hub for young adult ministry by Archbishop Buechlein; Fr. Rick Nagel appointed
- 2024 – Hosts the perpetual adoration chapel for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress
- 2025 – Fr. Rick Nagel reassigned; Very Rev. Timothy M. Wyciskalla appointed pastor effective July 2, 2025
Architecture & Historic Landmark Status
St. John's is a French Gothic Revival church of cruciform plan with a relatively simple red brick and limestone exterior, designed by Diedrich A. Bohlen, principal and founder of D.A. Bohlen and Son—one of Indianapolis's most prominent architectural firms. The red brick walls are laid in a Flemish variation of common bond above a rock-faced limestone foundation; white limestone corner buttresses form visually strong vertical elements. The three-story gabled center section contains the main entrance with ornate wooden doors ornamented by floriated iron work, flanked by limestone Corinthian columns supporting a compound Gothic arch. The tympanum features a life-sized stone carving of St. John writing the Gospel, with a gabled parapet, blind trefoil, and cross at its apex. The adjoining Rectory consists of two joined structures: the 1863 rectory to the east and the 1879 former chancery added for Bishop Chatard. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980.
- Architect: Diedrich A. Bohlen of D.A. Bohlen and Son
- Construction: begun April 1867, main building completed 1871
- Twin spires added 1893 by Oscar Bohlen
- Style: French Gothic Revival, cruciform plan
- Exterior: red brick in Flemish bond, white limestone buttresses, rock-faced limestone foundation
- Capacity: 816 (Archdiocesan directory) / 956 (parish listings)
- Tympanum carving: life-sized St. John writing the Gospel
- Rectory: 1863 east wing + 1879 west (former chancery) addition
Clergy & Parish Staff
The current pastor (effective July 2, 2025) is Very Rev. Timothy M. Wyciskalla, who also serves as chaplain of Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University Indianapolis while remaining vicar for clergy, vice chancellor, and Adjunct Judicial Vicar in the Metropolitan Tribunal. Sacramental ministers include Rev. C. Ryan McCarthy and Very Rev. Andrew Syberg. Deacon David Bartolowits assists at the parish. The wider staff includes a Music Director, Director of Adult Catechesis and Women's Discipleship, Director of Men's Discipleship, Director of Communication and Special Events, Wedding and Special Events Coordinator, Director of Finance, Director of Facilities, and an Administrative Assistant.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Timothy M. Wyciskalla
- Sacramental Minister: Rev. C. Ryan McCarthy
- Sacramental Minister: Very Rev. Andrew Syberg
- Deacon: David Bartolowits
- Music Director: Kateri Andress
- Director of Adult Catechesis and Women's Discipleship: Bri Campbell
- Director of Men's Discipleship: Brian Bibb
- Director of Communication and Special Events: Megan Fish
- Wedding & Special Events Coordinator: Jessica Inabnitt
- Director of Finance: David Heinekamp
- Director of Facilities: Mark Bedwell
- Administrative Assistant: Cassie Roby
Faith Formation & RCIA
St. John's runs a robust Faith Formation program with opportunities for parishioners of all ages. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) meets twice per month on Sundays from September through May and is directed by Bri Campbell, the Director of Adult Catechesis and Women's Discipleship. RCIA is described on the parish website as a 'modern form of the ancient process used in the first centuries of Christianity' with total formation: doctrinal, practical, liturgical, and apostolic. Adult Faith Formation includes weekly small-group Bible studies and book studies meeting on various days, times, and locations around downtown. There is also a Youth Faith Formation program.
- RCIA (Sept–May, twice monthly on Sundays)
- Adult Faith Formation small groups
- Youth Faith Formation
- Director of Adult Catechesis: Bri Campbell
- Contact: [email protected], 317-635-2021
Young Adult & College Campus Ministry
In 2009, Archbishop Daniel Buechlein named St. John's as the parish hub for young adult ministry in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The parish is also the parish home of IUPUI (Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis), with the pastor serving as campus chaplain. Approximately 50% of the parish's 2,500+ parishioners are between the ages of 18 and 35. The young adult community gathers for monthly Sunday Socials after the 7 PM Mass, monthly 'Before We Adore' fellowship nights, and an annual retreat to the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Shrine in the foothills of Golden, Colorado, featuring Mass, talks, small groups, and hiking.
- Parish hub for young adult ministry (ages 18–35)
- IUPUI campus ministry / chaplaincy
- Monthly Sunday Socials after 7 PM Mass
- Monthly 'Before We Adore' nights
- Annual Young Adult Retreat to Colorado (Cabrini Shrine)
- Esto Vir men's group
Emmaus Ministry (Homeless Outreach)
St. John's Emmaus Ministry—formerly the Garden Door Ministry—is the parish's signature outreach to people experiencing homelessness in downtown Indianapolis. The ministry has partnered with Cathedral Kitchen to serve approximately 275 meals daily to homeless neighbors in the heart of downtown: breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday through Friday, plus a Saturday lunch. A custom-built food trailer, completed in early September 2022 as part of a parish capital campaign, is equipped with a freezer, oven, sinks, grill, food warmers, a six-burner stove, double-door refrigerator, and storage for socks, towels, and toiletries. Volunteers also make sandwiches and cook casseroles, soups, and stews off-site. The ministry is named after the disciples on the road to Emmaus, reflecting its emphasis on walking alongside neighbors and forming relationships.
- Partnered with Cathedral Kitchen
- ~275 meals served daily (Mon–Fri) plus Saturday lunch
- Custom-built food trailer opened September 2022
- Volunteer shifts: 7:30–9:30 AM (sandwich makers), 8:00–10:30 AM (serving), 12:30–2:30 PM (sandwich making)
- Sign up: signupgenius.com/go/IndyCathedralKitchen
- Director: Danielle Heitkamp (former); current Cathedral Kitchen Manager: Terrence Toon
National Eucharistic Congress (July 2024)
From July 17–21, 2024, St. John's served as the perpetual adoration chapel for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress—the first such congress in the United States in more than 80 years—held across the street at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. The church remained open for adoration from Wednesday morning until the closing Mass on Sunday, with hospitality volunteers welcoming people at the doors and the men's group Esto Vir providing overnight security. Religious sisters from orders across the country invited passersby off the street into the church, while outside the parish organized a 'Eucharistic Village' hospitality center offering food, drink, and a place to rest. The parish is described as the spiritual center of the congress, with Father Nagel called 'in some ways, the local pastor of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress' by CEO Tim Glemkowski.
- Perpetual adoration chapel for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress
- Eucharistic Village hospitality center
- Esto Vir men's group overnight security
- Religious sisters from across the country evangelizing on the street
- $2.7M new parish center completed in time for the congress
Music & Liturgy
Music at St. John's is led by Music Director Kateri Andress. The parish offers three Sunday Masses (8 AM, 10:30 AM, and 7 PM) and a daily 12:10 PM Mass Monday through Friday, with the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass livestreamed online via Facebook and the parish website. The sanctuary of the cruciform-plan Gothic church—once used for ordinations, episcopal consecrations, and a pontifical Silver Jubilee Mass—continues to host the regular liturgy of the parish.
- Music Director: Kateri Andress
- Three Sunday Masses plus daily 12:10 PM Mass
- 10:30 AM Sunday Mass livestreamed
Sacraments
St. John's celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments. Reconciliation is offered every weekday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM before daily Mass. Baptisms, First Communion and Confirmation (through Faith Formation and RCIA), Weddings (coordinated by Jessica Inabnitt/Bridget McClellan), and Anointing of the Sick are arranged through the parish office.
- Reconciliation: Mon–Fri 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Baptism – contact parish office
- First Communion & Confirmation – through Faith Formation / RCIA
- Marriage / Weddings – Wedding Coordinator
- Anointing of the Sick – contact parish office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Vincent Bacquelin1837–c.1846
Itinerant priest who celebrated the first regular Mass in Indianapolis in 1837 at a local tavern; founded Holy Cross parish (predecessor to St. John the Evangelist). Patron was St. John the Evangelist.
- Rev. John Guéguenc.1846–1857
Parish pastor who oversaw construction of the 1850 brick church on Georgia Street and renamed the parish St. John the Evangelist after Father Bacquelin's patron saint.
- Rev. Augustus (John Francis August) Bessonies1857–1890
Born in France 1815, came to the U.S. in 1839. Built the current church (begun 1867), the rectory (1863), St. John's Academy (1859), arranged purchase of the Catholic cemetery, established the first Catholic hospital in the city. Prominent in the temperance movement and agent for the Orphans' Asylum. Vicar general of the Diocese of Vincennes after 1872, administrator of the Diocese of Vincennes June 1877–August 1878, designated a monsignor in 1884. After retiring from St. John's, served as pastor at SS. Peter and Paul Parish from 1892 until his death in 1901; remains interred in the Sacred Heart Chapel at St. John's.
- Msgr. Francis H. Gavisk1890–1932
Bessonies's successor; became vicar general for the Diocese of Indianapolis; continued work to complete the church in 1893 (the twin spires). On May 12, 1903, Bishop Chatard celebrated his Silver Episcopal Jubilee with a Pontifical High Mass at St. John's during his pastorate.
- (intermediate pastors, 1932–2009)1932–2009
Sources do not enumerate individual pastors in this span; succession in this period has not been verified from published sources.
- Fr. Rick Nagel2009–July 2025
Appointed by Archbishop Daniel Buechlein in 2009 as pastor and IUPUI campus chaplain; led St. John's as parish hub for young adult ministry; oversaw 2020 capital campaign and construction of the new parish center ahead of the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress; grew the parish to over 2,500 members with roughly 50% aged 18–35. Reassigned July 2, 2025 to pastor of Prince of Peace (Madison) and Most Sorrowful Mother of God (Vevay), and chaplain of Father Michael Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School in Madison.
- Very Rev. Timothy M. WyciskallaEffective July 2, 2025–present
Previously vicar for clergy, religious and parish life coordinators, vice chancellor, and Adjunct Judicial Vicar in the Metropolitan Tribunal; remains in those roles while serving as pastor and chaplain of Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University Indianapolis.