About St. Luke · Indianapolis, Indiana
St. Luke Catholic Church (formally St. Luke the Evangelist Parish) is a Roman Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, located in the Meridian Hills area on the north side of Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1961 after a notable two-year legal battle with local zoning authorities, the parish has grown from 230 founding families to roughly 1,755 families today and is one of the largest parishes in the archdiocese. The parish campus includes a K-8 elementary school, a preschool, a permanent church, and a 24/7 Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel (the Magnificat Chapel), all serving an active community on Holliday Drive East.
- Established
- 1961
- Patron
- St. Luke the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph (Fr. Joe) Moriarty
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Luke offers the full sacramental life of a large, established Catholic community: daily and weekend Mass, a 24-hour Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel (the Magnificat Chapel), weekly confession before every Mass, and a full sacramental schedule. Families can hand off faith formation, school, and youth ministry in one place — with a K-8 elementary school (524 students), a preschool (66 students), Sunday Morning Religious Education, OCIA/OCIC, youth ministry (Life Teen) for high schoolers, and young adult ministry. A wide range of lay ministries — from Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent de Paul to Christian Social Action, prayer groups, music ministry, and community events like the Fall Festival — gives newcomers many ways to plug in and belong.
Mass times at St. Luke
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 4:30 pm
- Sunday: 11:00 am (before 11:30 am Mass)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Magnificat Chapel — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Parish History & Foundation
St. Luke the Evangelist Parish was canonically established on September 2, 1961, by Archbishop Paul C. Schulte and officially dedicated on October 22, 1961. Its origin lies in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis's 1948 purchase of land in the Town of Meridian Hills on Indianapolis's far north side. The founding was preceded by a two-year legal fight with the Meridian Hills zoning board that went all the way to the Indiana Supreme Court, which ruled unanimously in favor of the archdiocese in February 1961.
- 1948: Archdiocese of Indianapolis purchases land in Meridian Hills
- February 1959: Meridian Hills zoning board denies the archdiocese's petition
- September 1959: Indiana Superior Court judge overrules the zoning board
- February 1961: Indiana Supreme Court unanimously rules in favor of the archdiocese
- September 2, 1961: Parish canonically established by Archbishop Paul C. Schulte
- October 22, 1961: Official dedication, with 230 charter families and 180 children in school
Worship & Sacramental Schedule
St. Luke offers a full schedule of weekend and weekday Masses in English, a daily Communion Service Monday through Saturday at 7:30 am, and confessions before every Mass. The parish is distinguished by its 24/7 Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Magnificat Chapel, a quiet devotion that parishioners can visit any hour of the day or night.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00 pm
- Sunday Masses: 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am
- Saturday morning Mass: 8:15 am
- Weekday Masses Monday–Friday at 11:30 am and 5:30 pm, plus Tuesday and Thursday at 8:15 am
- Communion Service Monday–Saturday at 7:30 am
- Confessions Mon–Fri 5:00 pm, Sat 4:30 pm, Sun 11:00 am
- 24/7 Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Magnificat Chapel
Sacraments & Sacramental Preparation
St. Luke prepares parishioners for all the major sacraments through age-appropriate programs: Baptismal Preparation for parents, First Eucharist and First Reconciliation for children, Children's Confirmation, Adult Confirmation, and Marriage Preparation. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) and OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation of Children) welcome those entering the Catholic Church. The parish also offers ongoing marriage enrichment.
- Baptismal Preparation
- First Eucharist & First Reconciliation
- Children's Confirmation and Adult Confirmation
- Marriage Preparation and Marriage Enrichment
- OCIA — Tuesdays 6:30–7:50 pm in the Father Courtney Reception Room
- OCIC — Sunday mornings
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Directed by Director of Religious Education Evelyn Burton, the parish runs a broad catechetical program for all ages. Children attend Sunday Morning Religious Education (SMRE); younger children experience the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd; children with special needs are served through SPREAD. Adults can grow through Adult Faith Formation, That Man is You, Small Faith-Sharing Groups, and Formed.org study materials.
- Sunday Morning Religious Education (SMRE)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- SPREAD (Special Religious Education and Discipleship)
- Children's Religious Education and Confirmation prep
- Adult Faith Formation / Adult Confirmation
- That Man is You (TMIY) and Small Faith-Sharing Groups
- Formed.org digital resources
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
St. Luke's youth ministry, led by Leighann Chisholm/Eckrich (Administrator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry), provides spiritual, social, and service opportunities for junior high and high school teens, centered on the Eucharist and accompanied by the intercession of St. John Paul II and St. Joan of Arc. Life Teen gathers high schoolers Sunday evenings from 7–9 pm in the youth room, with dinner provided. A separate Young Adult Group continues formation beyond high school.
- Life Teen — High School Ministry, Sundays 7–9 pm in the St. Luke youth room
- Junior High Youth Ministry
- Young Adult Group
- Intercessory Saints: St. John Paul II and St. Joan of Arc
St. Luke Catholic School & Preschool
St. Luke Catholic School serves about 524 K-8 students on the same campus as the parish, with Mark Paras currently serving as Interim School Principal. The school is dedicated to teaching Catholic doctrine and practice with a strong academic curriculum. A separate St. Luke Preschool (PK), directed by Jamie Ruff, has 66 students; a 2016 renovation of a donated neighboring residence created on-site childcare and preschool space for staff and parish families.
- K-8 school with approximately 524 students
- Interim Principal: Mark Paras ([email protected])
- Preschool (PK) — 66 students, Director Jamie Ruff
- Athletics: CYO, SLAC, Adult Basketball; Athletic Director Jay Snyder
- Providence 2021 campaign: significant school expansion funded by parishioners
Music & Liturgical Arts
Music ministry, directed by Tom Nichols, supports the parish's weekend Masses, funerals, holy days, and seasonal celebrations. Opportunities exist for singers and instrumentalists across every age group, from a Children's Choir through a Youth Choir and a full Parish Choir, alongside cantors and a Funeral Choir.
- Parish Choir
- Youth Choir and Children's Choir
- Cantors and Instrumentalists
- Funeral Choir
Outreach, Evangelization & Stewardship
Director of Evangelization and Stewardship Therese Hartley oversees three commissions: Christian Social Action (which includes the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Beggars for the Poor, the Christmas Store, First Sunday Sharing, the Holy Family Shelter, the Pro-Life Committee, Care for Creation, the Indiana Catholic Conference, and Thanksgiving Sharing); Evangelization (Cursillo, First Saturday Devotion, Millions of Monicas, Prayer Chain, St. Peregrine Prayer Group); and Stewardship (Coffee 'n' Doughnuts, the Fall Festival, Hot Dog Nights, Trivia Nights, and a Welcoming Committee). The Knights of Columbus is also active at the parish under the pastor's oversight.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Beggars for the Poor, Christmas Store, First Sunday Sharing, Thanksgiving Sharing
- Holy Family Shelter support
- Pro-Life Committee and Care for Creation
- Cursillo, First Saturday Devotion, Millions of Monicas
- Prayer Chain and St. Peregrine Prayer Group
- Fall Festival, Coffee 'n' Doughnuts, Hot Dog Nights, Trivia Nights, Welcoming Committee
- Knights of Columbus
Parish Staff & Operations
Day-to-day parish operations are led by Director of Parish Operations & CFO Terra Fox, with administrative support from parish secretaries Mary Ann Atkins and Ronni Miller, Finance Director Sue Reynolds, and Financial Associate Ashley Dirks. Brenden Kudla directs communications and technology, including the bulletin, social media, and parish marketing. Mark Paras oversees facilities and Jay Snyder serves as Athletic Director and Assistant Facilities Manager. Parish office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm and Friday 8:30 am – 12:00 pm, closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 pm.
- Pastor: Fr. Joseph Moriarty (ext. 214, [email protected])
- Associate Pastor: Fr. Anthony Armbruster (ext. 230, [email protected])
- Director of Spiritual Life & Formation: Erin Jeffries (ext. 218)
- Director of Music: Tom Nichols (ext. 227)
- Director of Religious Education: Evelyn Burton (ext. 256)
- Director of Evangelization and Stewardship: Therese Hartley (ext. 248)
- Director of Parish Operations & CFO: Terra Fox (ext. 211)
- Facilities Manager: Mark Paras (ext. 263)
- Athletic Director / Asst. Facilities Manager: Jay Snyder (ext. 226)
- Director of Communications & Technology: Brenden Kudla (ext. 232)
- Administrator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry: Leighann Chisholm (ext. 244)
- Director of Finance: Sue Reynolds (ext. 217)
- Senior Financial Associate: Ashley Dirks (ext. 246)
- Parish Secretaries: Mary Ann Atkins and Ronni Miller (ext. 210)
Visit, Contact & Directions
St. Luke Catholic Church is located at 7575 Holliday Drive East, Indianapolis, IN 46260, in the Meridian Hills area on the city's north side. The parish phone number is (317) 259-4373 and the fax is (317) 254-3210; the school can be reached at (317) 255-3912. A staff directory with direct extensions and email addresses is published on the parish website.
- Address: 7575 Holliday Drive East, Indianapolis, IN 46260
- Parish Phone: (317) 259-4373
- School Phone: (317) 255-3912
- Fax: (317) 254-3210
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Fri 8:30 am – 12:00 pm (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 pm)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Paul Courtney1961–1984
Founding pastor; served as pastor or co-pastor until 1984 — nearly half of the parish's history to that point.
- Msgr. Joseph Schaedelnamed July 2011
Pastor as of the parish's 50th anniversary in 2011.