About St. Rita · Indianapolis, Indiana
St. Rita Catholic Church is a historic African-American parish in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood on the near-northeast side of Indianapolis, founded on August 3, 1919 by Bishop Joseph Chartrand as the first designated Black Catholic parish in Indianapolis and Indiana. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and sits at 1733 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Avenue (formerly Martindale Avenue), in a Modernist sanctuary completed and dedicated on May 17, 1959 with a detached 72-foot bell tower. Today it is served by an Administrator Pro Tem, Rev. Benjamin Syberg, and Deacon Oliver Jackson, with a small but active congregation of roughly 260 families committed to faith formation, Catholic social teaching, and neighborhood outreach.
- Established
- 1919
- Patron
- St. Rita of Cascia
- Rector
- Rev. Benjamin D. Syberg (Administrator Pro Tem)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Rita is a historically African-American parish with more than a century of witness in Indianapolis's Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood and a living legacy of Catholic social teaching in action. Visitors will find a tight-knit community of about 260 families, a pastor (Administrator Pro Tem) and deacon committed to walking with parishioners, active faith formation for youth and adults through OCIA (RCIA) and Religious Education, an engaged St. Vincent de Paul conference serving neighbors in need, liturgical ministries for every age, and a mission statement that calls everyone to celebrate and witness the presence of the risen Lord.
Mass times at St. Rita
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monthly Penance Service (see parish events calendar for date/time)
Adoration times
- Holy Thursday Adoration Vigil, 8:00 PM – 11:45 PM in St. Joseph's Chapel (annual; see events calendar)
Parish History
St. Rita was founded on August 3, 1919 by Bishop Joseph Chartrand as the first African-American Catholic parish in Indianapolis, growing out of St. Bridget Catholic Church. The original chapel was moved from Fort Benjamin Harrison to 19th and Arsenal Avenue. Under Father Bernard L. Strange (1935–1973), the parish became a hub of civil-rights activism, Catholic education, and youth programming. The current Modernist sanctuary on Dr. Andrew J. Brown Avenue (formerly Martindale Avenue) was completed and dedicated on May 17, 1959. After demographic shifts in the inner city, the parish joined the Urban Parish Cooperative in 1984 and the parish school was consolidated into the St. Andrew-St. Rita Catholic Academy in 2003, which itself closed at the end of the 2010 school year.
- Founded August 3, 1919 by Bishop Joseph Chartrand
- First African-American parish in Indianapolis (and Indiana)
- 70 families at founding; peaked near 1,500 members mid-century
- Current Modernist sanctuary dedicated May 17, 1959
- Urban Parish Cooperative member since 1984
- Recognized by The Criterion in 2023 as a 'hidden jewel'
Father Bernard L. Strange — A Parish-Defining Pastor
Father Bernard L. Strange, a white priest from Bramble, Indiana, was the formative leader of St. Rita. He served as administrator from 1935 to 1947 and then pastor from 1947 to 1973 — nearly four decades of continuous ministry. In the 1930s he began fighting for the desegregation of Catholic schools, and in the 1940s he became active in the Indianapolis NAACP. He launched the parish's youth sports leagues (boxing and basketball), founded a 1947 summer youth center to combat juvenile delinquency, and a 1949 summer camp for underprivileged African-American boys. He was reassigned to St. Francis de Sales in 1973, retired in 1976, and died in 1987.
- Administrator 1935–1947; Pastor 1947–1973
- Fought for Catholic-school desegregation in the 1930s
- Active in the Indianapolis chapter of the NAACP
- Founded summer youth center (1947) and summer camp (1949)
- Developed parish sports leagues (boxing, basketball)
Architecture & Sacred Spaces
The 1959 church was designed around the spiritual theme of religious sacrifice, reflecting St. Rita of Cascia's devotion to Christ's Sacred Passion on Calvary. The sanctuary is Modernist in style but incorporates traditional Catholic elements including wall mosaics, stained-glass windows, and religious altars. A detached 72-foot-tall bell tower stands outside the building. The cornerstone was laid on September 14, 1958 by Archbishop Paul C. Schulte. A smaller St. Joseph's Chapel inside the church hosts events such as the Holy Thursday Adoration Vigil.
- Theme: religious sacrifice (echoing St. Rita's devotion to the Passion)
- Modernist style with traditional Catholic furnishings
- Wall mosaics, stained-glass windows, religious altars
- Detached 72-foot bell tower
- St. Joseph's Chapel used for devotions such as Holy Thursday Adoration Vigil
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's religious-education program is led by Anita Bardo, Director of Religious Education (DRE). Children not yet baptized who are at the age of reason (typically 7–17) prepare through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC), a minimum two-year process that includes parent formation and culminates in the reception of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil. Adult inquirers — whether unbaptized, baptized in another tradition, or returning Catholics who never received Confirmation — are welcomed through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults). To begin, contact the parish office at 317-632-9349.
- RCIC for unbaptized children ages 7–17 (two-year minimum)
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults — Catechumens, Candidates, and Inquirers
- Director of Religious Education: Anita Bardo
- Sacramental preparation culminates at the Easter Vigil
- Contact: 317-632-9349
Youth Ministry — Y.U.P. I'm Catholic!
St. Rita's youth ministry, called Y.U.P. — Young and Unified with a Purpose, encourages young parishioners to make Christian choices by instilling the values and vision of Catholic doctrine through spiritual and social outreach programs. Its goals include helping youth grow spiritually, navigate college and vocational choices, strengthen family and social relationships, appreciate and share their gifts, and participate as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, choir members, and in spiritual dance.
- Program name: Y.U.P. (Young and Unified with a Purpose)
- Spiritual growth, college/vocation discernment, leadership
- Service opportunities: lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, choir, spiritual dance
- Retreats and leadership workshops
- Scholarship opportunity available through the program
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve at the altar and in liturgical roles through several ministries coordinated with the parish staff and Deacon Oliver Jackson (Sacristan). Training is provided for altar servers, and adult men and women are welcomed to assist. The liturgical ministries also serve weddings, funerals, and other special liturgical functions throughout the year.
- Altar Servers (training available; adults welcome)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Sacristan (Deacon Oliver Jackson)
- Spirituality Committee
- Assistance for weddings, funerals, and special liturgical functions
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The St. Rita Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an active lay Catholic charity inspired by Gospel values and founded in the tradition of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and patron St. Vincent de Paul. The local conference meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month, conducts home visits to neighbors in need, assists with utility bills, volunteers at the Client's Choice Food Pantry and Mission 27 Warehouse, and supports the Changing Lives Forever (CLF) program. As of early 2025 the conference's president was Rosie Hebert.
- St. Rita Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Home visits and utility assistance for neighbors in need
- Volunteers at Client's Choice Food Pantry and Mission 27 Warehouse
- Supports Changing Lives Forever (CLF) program
- President (2025): Rosie Hebert
- Meets 1st and 3rd Sundays each month
Service to Community & Social Justice
Service to the wider Indianapolis community is woven into St. Rita's identity. The parish sponsors a wide range of outreach activities that go beyond its walls into the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood and beyond. This continues a tradition stretching back to the 1947 summer youth center, the 1949 summer camp for underprivileged African-American boys, the 1967 founding of the Martindale Area Citizens Service (MACS), and ongoing participation in the Urban Parish Cooperative since 1984.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference service activities
- Neighborhood outreach in Martindale-Brightwood
- Urban Parish Cooperative member since 1984
- Continuing legacy of the 1967 MACS anti-poverty coalition
Parish Staff & Leadership
St. Rita is led by an Administrator Pro Tem, supported by a deacon, an active Parish Council and Finance Council, and a dedicated lay staff responsible for religious education, music, finances, communications, hospitality, and facilities.
- Administrator Pro Tem / Pastoral Associate: Rev. Benjamin D. Syberg (BA, MDiv; also Administrator Pro Tem of the Church of the Holy Angels Parish, 2025; Advocate in the Metropolitan Tribunal)
- Deacon: Oliver Jackson (Sacristan; Spirituality Committee)
- Parish Council Chair: Greg Smith
- Finance Council Chair: Sharon Edwards
- Director of Religious Education (DRE) / RCIA & RCIC / Youth Minister: Anita Bardo
- Music Director: Gayle Jones
- Activity Coordinator: Vivian Hill
- Building & Grounds: Marty Ray
- Parish Secretary: Denise Gavia-Currin
- Bookkeeper: Johnette Grant
- Website / Social Media: Susan Hines
- Hospitality Chair: Mary Choctaw
- Stewardship: Jane Cooley
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Father Ben is available by appointment on Thursdays. The church is located at 1733 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46202, just north of downtown Indianapolis in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood.
- Address: 1733 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202-1910
- Phone: 317-632-9349
- Fax: 317-687-0973
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Father Ben available by appointment on Thursdays
- Archdiocese listing: Parish #039, 260 families, 400-seat church capacity
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph M. Bryan1919–1935
Founding priest; white priest who led the new parish as it grew from 70 families out of St. Bridget.
- Father Bernard L. Strange1935–1973
Administrator 1935–1947, then pastor 1947–1973; civil-rights leader, fought for desegregation of Catholic schools in the 1930s, NAACP activist, organized youth sports leagues, summer camp (1949) and summer youth center (1947), opened the first Catholic-school kindergarten in Indianapolis; reassigned to St. Francis de Sales 1973; retired 1976, died 1987.