About St. Matthew · Indianapolis, Indiana
St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Meridian Kessler / Allisonville area of north Indianapolis, Indiana, founded in 1958 and one of the younger parishes of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The parish serves approximately 1,037 families and includes a parish school (PK–8) of around 376 students on the same 56th Street campus. It is led by Rev. Msgr. William F. Stumpf and offers a full sacramental life: weekend and daily Mass, Saturday reconciliation, weekly Eucharistic adoration, faith formation for children and adults, RCIA, and active outreach through a St. Vincent de Paul conference and a parish Men's Club. The parish's identity is built around a strong Catholic school, a long line of founding Sisters of Providence school principals, and a loyal multi-generational congregation on the city's north side.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- St. Matthew the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. William F. Stumpf, VG
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Matthew combines a strong parish school (PK–8, 'A'-rated, 18:1 student-teacher ratio, 1:1 devices) with a full sacramental and devotional life — daily and weekend Mass, weekly Wednesday evening adoration, Saturday reconciliation, and ministries for every age. The parish actively welcomes new Catholics through RCIA (and an RCIA adapted for children/teens), runs a parish-based St. Vincent de Paul conference and Men's Club for outreach, and offers a Family Faith Formation program (Faith Rock), Vacation Bible School, sacramental prep, Sponsor Couples for engaged couples, and a walking-together adult series called 'Upon This Rock.' It is a long-established north-side Indianapolis community of about 1,000 families with deep roots in the Archdiocese since 1958.
Mass times at St. Matthew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Adoration times
- Wednesday evenings following the 6:00 p.m. Mass, 7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
History of St. Matthew Parish
St. Matthew the Apostle Parish is a 1958 foundation of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, born on Indianapolis's growing north side in the late 1950s. Ground was broken for the church and school on March 23, 1958; the cornerstone was laid May 4, 1958; the rectory was completed in August 1958; and the first Mass was celebrated on Sunday, July 6, 1958. The parish was officially dedicated on October 5, 1958. The school opened the same fall, with its first First Communion class on November 1, 1958 and its first graduating class in June 1959.
- Founding pastor: Rev. Albert Diezeman (July 6, 1958 – July 5, 1973)
- 1965: Convent enlarged
- September 1966: New school addition (9 classrooms, library, principal's office)
- 1969: Original bus garage constructed
- Late 1970s: Sanctuary renovated
- 1985: New gymnasium (Moriarty Hall) built
- June 21, 1986: Current church dedicated
- Spring 2011: Parish Life Center addition opened
Parish Leadership and Staff
St. Matthew is pastored by Rev. Msgr. William F. Stumpf, VG, supported by Deacon Mike Braun and a lay staff team serving worship, formation, school, and operations. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m.–1 p.m., and an after-hours emergency line is available through the main number.
- Pastor — Rev. Msgr. William F. Stumpf, VG (317-257-4297 ext. 2100)
- Deacon — Mike Braun
- Pastoral Associate — Ann Tully (ext. 2211)
- Director of Faith Formation & Coordinator of Youth Ministry — Pam Fleming (ext. 2215; cell 317-519-1448)
- Director of Music Ministry — Debbie Ward (ext. 2213)
- Business Manager — Greg Chiles (ext. 2212)
- Operations Manager — David Smock
- Communications Administrator — Stephen Sulka (ext. 2216)
- Administrative Assistant — Judy Quackenbush
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The Faith Formation Commission coordinates sacramental preparation and ongoing formation for children, youth, and adults. Pam Fleming serves as Director of Faith Formation and Coordinator of Youth Ministry. The parish also offers the 'Upon This Rock' adult catechetical series (October–April, monthly) for parishioners who want to be refreshed in Catholic teaching.
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
- RCIA Adapted for Children/Teens (ages 7+)
- Faith Rock Religious Education Program (PK–8th grade)
- Sunday Morning Family Faith Formation
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist Preparation
- Confirmation Preparation
- Sponsor Couples for Engaged Couples (marriage prep)
- Infant Baptism Preparation (one-to-one parent session)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Vacation Bible School (VBS)
St. Matthew Catholic School (PK–8)
St. Matthew Catholic School is a ministry of St. Matthew Catholic Church, offering a faith-filled Catholic education for preschool through 8th grade. The school is rated 'A' by the Indiana Department of Education, maintains an 18:1 student-teacher ratio, and provides 1:1 devices for students. The school shares the 56th Street campus with the church, gymnasium, and Parish Life Center.
- Principal: Cara Swinefurth (2023–present)
- Total Students: 376 (PK–8)
- Phone: 317-251-3997 (ext. 3913)
- Website: www.saintmatt.org/school
- Mission: 'a faith-filled Catholic education that fosters the growth of the whole child'
- Past principals include David Smock (2011–2023), Martin Erlenbaugh (2002–2011), Vince Barnes (1999–2002), Rita Parsons (1993–1999), and Sisters of Providence who led the school from 1958 to 1993
Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry at St. Matthew is coordinated by Pam Fleming, the parish's Director of Faith Formation. The parish supports high-school students in attending the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) — the 2025 conference was held in Indianapolis — and offers BLAZE, a parish-based middle-school girls' Bible study program from 'Walking with Purpose' for 7th and 8th graders, meeting every other week in the evening from September through April/May.
- BLAZE Bible study for middle-school girls (Walking with Purpose; 20-week program, $50 materials fee)
- NCYC 2025 participation (Nov. 20–22, 2025, Indianapolis)
- Coordinator: Pam Fleming (cell 317-519-1448)
Music and Liturgy
Music Ministry at St. Matthew is led by Debbie Ward, Director of Music Ministry. The parish celebrates Mass in English across four weekend liturgies (Saturday 5:00 p.m.; Sunday 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 a.m.) and a daily schedule, with full sung liturgy and choir support for the parish school and broader parish community.
- Director of Music Ministry: Debbie Ward (ext. 2213)
Outreach and Parish Groups
St. Matthew parishioners serve the broader Indianapolis community through a parish-level St. Vincent de Paul conference and the Men's Club, a social and outreach organization that assists with church and school needs. The parish also promotes Safe Parish Training for all volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference (parish)
- Men's Club — fellowship, service, parish and school support
- Safe Parish Training (for volunteers)
- Communion to the Homebound ministry
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for and celebrates all seven sacraments. Infant Baptism begins with a one-to-one parent session with Ann Tully; First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are coordinated through Pam Fleming; Confirmation preparation is also led by Pam Fleming; and marriage preparation is supported by Sponsor Couples (trained married couples who walk with each engaged couple). The RCIA process welcomes new adult members, with an adapted process for children and teens ages 7 and older. Communion to the Homebound and Anointing of the Sick are arranged by calling the parish office.
- Baptism — Ann Tully (ext. 2211)
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist — Pam Fleming (317-519-1448)
- Confirmation — Pam Fleming (317-519-1448)
- Marriage / Sponsor Couples — Ann Tully (ext. 2211)
- RCIA (adults) and RCIA Adapted for Children/Teens — Pam Fleming
- Communion to the Homebound / Anointing — parish office (317-257-4297)
Communications, Digital Resources, and Visiting
The parish keeps parishioners connected through a weekly e-newsletter (via Constant Contact), the MyParishApp, and a Facebook page (StMatthewIndy). Parishioners have free access to FORMED On Demand Catholic video and study resources at saintmatt.formed.org. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; the after-hours emergency line is reached through the main parish number.
- E-Newsletter: weekly via Constant Contact
- MyParishApp: available for download
- Facebook: facebook.com/StMatthewIndy
- FORMED: free for parishioners at saintmatt.formed.org
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Fri 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Address: 4100 E. 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46220-5599
- Phone: 317-257-4297
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. William F. StumpfJuly 7, 2021–present
Current pastor
- Father J. Nicholas DantJuly 2, 2014 – July 7, 2021
- Father Paul ShikanyJan. 12, 2005 – July 2, 2014
- Father Dan DonohooJuly 2, 2001 – Jan. 12, 2005
- Father Donald SchmidlinApril 14, 1993 – July 2, 2001
- Father Joe WadeJuly 10, 1985 – Jan. 10, 1993
- Father James MoriartyJuly 9, 1974 – July 10, 1984
Gymnasium named Moriarty Hall in his honor
- Monsignor Joseph BrokhageJuly 5, 1973 – July 9, 1974
- Father Albert DiezemanJuly 6, 1958 – July 5, 1973
Founding pastor