About St. Mary [Historic Church] · Indianapolis, Indiana
St. Mary Catholic Church (St. Marienkirche) is a historic Roman Catholic parish in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Founded in 1858 as Indianapolis's second Catholic parish to serve the city's growing German immigrant population, the parish is best known for its monumental Gothic Revival church at 317 N. New Jersey Street, completed in 1912 and designed by Cologne-born architect Hermann J. Gaul in the manner of the Cologne Cathedral. Today it serves as a bilingual English/Spanish parish with multiple weekend Masses, daily noon Masses, a Hispanic Ministry center for the Archdiocese, perpetual Thursday adoration, and extensive faith formation, music, and outreach programs.
- Established
- 1858
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (parish formally known as Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception)
- Rector
- Rev. Jeffrey L. Dufresne (Pastor); Fr. José Aragón Briñez (Administrator as of 2024)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Mary's offers downtown Indianapolis Catholics a rare combination: a National Register-listed landmark church in the German Gothic Revival style, an unusually full schedule of Masses in both English and Spanish (including a bilingual Sunday Mass and three additional Sunday Masses), daily noon Masses, and Confession before nearly every service. It functions as the Archdiocese of Indianapolis's Hispanic Ministry hub and welcomes a diverse mix of downtown residents, families, single adults, and immigrants. Add weekly Thursday adoration in the chapel, a children's faith formation program, OCIA, sacramental prep, a youth and young adult group, a quinceañera and wedding ministry, and ongoing capital care of a 110-year-old limestone landmark — and St. Mary's becomes both a historic pilgrimage stop and a living bilingual parish home.
Mass times at St. Mary [Historic Church]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday & Friday: 6:20 p.m.
- Saturday: 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m.
Adoration times
- Thursdays: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Chapel)
About St. Mary Parish
St. Mary Catholic Church (St. Marienkirche) is a Roman Catholic parish in downtown Indianapolis, part of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The parish's mission statement reads: 'St. Mary Parish, Indianapolis, is a welcoming Catholic Community of faith that embraces our diversity. Inspired by Word and Sacrament, we proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in service to all.' As of the Archdiocesan directory the parish has 931 registered families and a church capacity of 500. It serves a diverse downtown and near-eastside population of single adults, families, immigrants, and economically and socially marginalized neighbors, and it functions as the hub of Hispanic Ministry for the Archdiocese.
- Founded 1858 as Indianapolis's second Catholic parish
- 931 registered families; church capacity 500
- Part of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis
- Located at 325 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis, IN 46204
History
Founded in 1858 for the German Catholic immigrants of Indianapolis, St. Mary grew from its original home at 117 East Maryland Street — a modified Gothic Revival church dedicated August 30, 1857 with the first Mass on August 15, 1858 — into one of the city's most architecturally significant congregations. By the early twentieth century the parish, under the long pastorate of Rev. Anthony Richard Schiedeler (1874–1918), had outgrown its commercializing Maryland Street neighborhood. In 1910 it broke ground on New Jersey Street and in 1912 dedicated its present German Gothic Revival church, designed by Cologne-born architect Hermann J. Gaul in the style of the Cologne Cathedral. World War I destroyed the parish's ability to maintain German language and culture, and on July 1, 1949 St. Mary was reclassified from a national to a territorial parish. From the 1960s onward the parish shifted again, pioneering migrant farm-worker ministry and, by 1970, becoming the first Catholic parish in Indianapolis to offer Mass in Spanish. Under Fr. Mauro Rodas (pastor 1981–1998) and his successors, St. Mary has served as the center of the Archdiocesan Hispanic Apostolate. Twenty-first-century pastors have included Fr. Michael E. O'Mara, Fr. Carlton J. Beever (2013–2020), Very Rev. Patrick J. Beidelman (2020–2023), and Fr. Jeffrey L. Dufresne (2023–present), with Fr. José Aragón Briñez serving as administrator as of 2024.
- 1856 – Rev. Leonard Brandt sent from Vincennes to organize a German-speaking parish
- 1857 – Bishop de St. Palais of Vincennes dedicates the first church (Maryland St.)
- 1858 – First Mass celebrated August 15; school opened; Sisters of Providence arrive 1860
- 1874–1918 – Rev. Anthony Richard Schiedeler serves as pastor and leads relocation effort
- 1910 – Ground broken May 1 at New Jersey and Vermont Streets
- 1912 – Present church completed in the German Gothic Revival style
- 1911 – Holy Rosary Catholic Church established, taking over Italian ministry
- 1949 – St. Mary reclassified from national to territorial parish
- 1960s – Parish team begins migrant farm-worker ministry
- 1970 – First Catholic parish in Indianapolis to offer Mass in Spanish
- 1975–1998 – Fr. Mauro Rodas serves as associate pastor, then pastor; directs Hispanic Apostolate 1978–1998
- 1998 – Fr. Michael E. O'Mara assigned as pastor
- 2013 – Fr. Carlton J. Beever becomes pastor
- 2020 – Fr. Patrick J. Beidelman assigned pastor (effective Sept. 9)
- 2023 – Fr. Jeffrey L. Dufresne appointed pastor (effective July 5)
- 2024 – Fr. José Aragón Briñez listed as administrator; major west-end limestone renovation in progress
Architecture
The 1912 church is a cruciform-plan, German Gothic Revival limestone structure designed by Hermann J. Gaul, a native of Cologne who modeled the building on the great Cologne Cathedral. Its symmetrical façade is divided into three sections, with a gabled two-story center containing a trefoil motif and finial and a bracketed niche holding a statue of the Virgin Mary; the central tympanum is filled with a relief of the Crucifixion, framed by a frieze of blind arches. Twin four-story towers — three square stories and one octagonal story — flank the entrance and are capped with spires; the north tower tympanum depicts the Nativity of Christ and the south depicts the Ascension. Broad steps lead to the narthex, and gargoyles decorate the entry portal and towers. Inside, the vaulted ceiling, semi-octagonal apse, multiple statues, and skylights are complemented by stained-glass windows — most notably a north-side window of St. Boniface (the Apostle of the Germans) and a south-side window of St. Henry of Uppsala, the 'church builder.' Stone walls include buttresses with a vaulted arch over each bay, and the transept gables hold niches with statues of St. Henry (south) and St. Boniface (north). The 1912 building is widely regarded as the best example of the German Gothic Revival style in Indianapolis and Indiana.
- Architect: Hermann J. Gaul (Cologne-born)
- Style: German Gothic Revival, modeled on Cologne Cathedral
- Plan: Cruciform with narthex and semi-octagonal apse
- Exterior: limestone walls, buttresses, gargoyles, twin four-story towers with spires
- Interior: vaulted ceiling, stained glass, statues, skylights
- Capacity: 500
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Mary is bilingual and family-oriented, serving children and adults in the downtown community. Children's Faith Formation is coordinated by Flor De Los Santos, who also serves as Parish Secretary. Sacramental Preparation prepares children and adults for First Communion, Confirmation, and other sacraments. The parish also runs a Youth Group (Pastoral Juvenil) and a Young Adult Group, hosts OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those entering the Church, and offers special formation opportunities including Bienvenidos Women & Men retreats and Adult Catechesis events. The parish provides a parish subscription to Formed for on-demand faith content, and participates in Archdiocesan retreats.
- Children's Faith Formation (Flor De Los Santos)
- Sacramental Preparation (Sacramental Prep)
- Youth Group (Pastoral Juvenil)
- Young Adult Group
- OCIA — Becoming Catholic
- Bienvenidos Women & Men
- Formed (parish subscription)
- Quinceañera Preparation
- Adult Catechesis Events
- Arch-Dio Retreats
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at St. Mary is directed by Susan Powell, Director of Music & Liturgy, supported by an Audio-Visual Communications Coordinator (Eli Mestas). The parish celebrates a rich bilingual liturgy, with a director coordinating Spanish- and English-language music for the weekend and weekday Masses, and the building's notable stained glass and statues — including St. Boniface and St. Henry of Uppsala — framing the worship space.
- Director of Music & Liturgy: Susan Powell
- Audio-Visual Communications Coordinator: Eli Mestas
- Mass livestreamed from the parish
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) liturgies
Hispanic Ministry & Outreach
Since 1970 St. Mary has been a pioneer in Hispanic ministry in Indianapolis, becoming the first Catholic parish — and possibly the first Christian church in the city — to offer Mass in Spanish. The parish has hosted the Archdiocesan Hispanic Apostolate since 1978 (restructured as a Multi-Cultural Office in 1998). Today the parish hosts three of its four Sunday Masses in Spanish or bilingually, plus several weekday Spanish Masses, a Wedding and Quinceañera ministry coordinated by Adela Perez, and ongoing outreach to downtown and immigrant communities.
- First Spanish Mass offered 1970
- Hosted Archdiocesan Hispanic Apostolate 1978–1998
- Bilingual and Spanish Masses every Sunday and most weekdays
- Wedding & Quinceañera coordination (Adela Perez)
- Migrant farm-worker ministry dating to the 1960s
Sacraments & Sacramental Prep
St. Mary prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments. Preparation for First Communion, Confirmation, and other sacraments is offered through the parish's Sacramental Prep program; adults seeking baptism or full communion join the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). Weddings and quinceañeras are coordinated by Adela Perez, and the Anointing of the Sick is available by appointment through the parish office.
- Baptism
- First Communion & Confirmation (Sacramental Prep)
- Marriage / Wedding coordination
- Quinceañera coordination
- Anointing of the Sick (by appointment)
- OCIA (Becoming Catholic)
Parish Staff
The parish is served by a bilingual clergy and lay staff team. The pastor is Rev. Jeffrey L. Dufresne (who also pastors St. Philip Neri Parish); the parochial vicar is Rev. Oscar Rivas. Fr. José Aragón Briñez is listed as administrator on the parish history page. Lay staff include coordinators for faith formation, music and liturgy, accounting, weddings and quinceañeras, audio-visual communications, and facilities.
- Rev. Jeffrey L. Dufresne — Pastor
- Rev. Oscar Rivas — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. José Aragón Briñez — Administrator (2024)
- Flor De Los Santos — Coordinator of Children's Faith Formation / Parish Secretary
- Gladys Tarter — Administrative Assistant
- Suzanne McLaughlin — Accountant
- Susan Powell — Director of Music & Liturgy
- Eli Mestas — Audio-Visual Communications Coordinator
- Adela Perez — Wedding & Quinceañeras Coordinator
- Francisco Ruiz — Facilities Manager (317-627-9349)
Facilities, Preservation & Visiting
The 1912 church at New Jersey and Vermont Streets has been kept open to the public on a daily noontime basis for prayer since the day it opened — a tradition that continues today. In recent years the parish has undertaken a large renovation of the exterior west portion of the church to preserve the integrity of the limestone, replaced aging boiler pipes, and rebuilt the south wall of the Marian Center. Ongoing repairs include interior ceiling acoustic tiles in the church and continuing masonry work as the budget allows. The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and recognized with a William G. Pomeroy Foundation historic marker.
- Open daily at noon for prayer since 1912
- Major west-end limestone exterior renovation in progress
- Boiler pipes replaced; Marian Center south wall rebuilt
- Ongoing ceiling-tile and masonry repairs planned
- National Register of Historic Places listing
- William G. Pomeroy Foundation historic marker on site
Getting Involved
St. Mary invites newcomers to join the parish through its 'Join Our Parish' registration and to participate in a wide range of ministries — from liturgical music and faith formation to Hispanic outreach, youth and young adult ministry, sacramental preparation, the OCIA journey, and facilities care. Online giving, bulletin, calendar, livestream, and contact information are all available on the parish website.
- Join Our Parish (registration)
- Online Giving
- Bulletin
- Calendar / News
- Livestream of Masses
- Contact the parish office at 317-637-3983 or [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Leonard (Peter Leonard) Brandt1856 (organizer)
Sent from Vincennes in 1856 to organize the German-speaking congregation; began the parish but did not remain as its permanent pastor.
- Rev. Simon Siegrist1858 (first permanent pastor)
First permanent pastor; celebrated the first Mass in the original Maryland Street church on August 15, 1858.
- Rev. Anthony Richard Schiedeler1874–1918
Native of Borgholz, Germany; served 44 years as pastor; led the move to the New Jersey Street location, broke ground May 1, 1910 and oversaw construction of the present church completed in 1912.
- Monsignor Goosens1960s (team)
Served on parish team that began ministry to migrant farm workers in Central Indiana.
- Fr. Stephen Hay1960s (team)
Served on parish team ministering to migrant farm workers with Msgr. Goosens and Fr. Mauro Rodas.
- Fr. Mauro RodasAssociate pastor 1975–1981; Pastor 1981–1998
Native of Quito, Ecuador; led St. Mary to become the first Catholic parish in Indianapolis to offer Mass in Spanish (1970); Director of the Archdiocesan Hispanic Apostolate hosted at St. Mary 1978–1998.
- Fr. Michael E. O'Mara1998 (assigned as pastor)
Assigned pastor in 1998; led the parish into the third millennium with Sr. Theresa Wente, O.S.F. and Teresa Aguayo.
- Fr. Carlton J. Beever2013–September 2020 (retired)
Previously associate at St. Philip Neri (1974), associate at St. Mary Greensburg (1977), pastor of St. Joseph Hill (1981), co-pastor at American Martyrs/St. Francis Xavier/Our Lady of Providence/St. Mary Mitchell/St. Patrick Salem (1982), pastor of St. Bernadette Indianapolis (1983–1994), HIV/AIDS ministry for the Archdiocese (1996–), pastor of St. Philip Neri (1999–2013); assigned pastor of St. Mary Indianapolis 2013; retired September 2020.
- Very Rev. Patrick J. Beidelman, VF, STLSeptember 9, 2020 – July 5, 2023
Appointed pastor of St. Mary while remaining rector of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral and executive director of the Secretariat for Worship and Evangelization; reassigned pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish effective July 5, 2023.
- Rev. Jeffrey L. DufresneJuly 5, 2023 – present
Appointed pastor of St. Mary Parish while remaining pastor of St. Philip Neri Parish.
- Fr. José Aragón BriñezAdministrator as of 2024
Listed as administrator on the parish history page (2024).