St. Mary's Catholic Church (Indianapolis, Indiana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Mary's Catholic Church
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Front of the church
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 Location in Indianapolis
Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 317 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis, Indiana |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1910 |
| Architect | Hermann Gaul |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000020 |
| Added to NRHP | November 9, 1977 |
St. Mary Catholic Church, also known as St. Marienkirche, is a Catholic church in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is part of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
The church was started in 1858 for the many German families living in the city. The church building you see today was finished in 1912. It was designed by architect Hermann J. Gaul. The style is called Gothic Revival, which looks like old European cathedrals. The church's shape is like a cross, similar to the famous Cologne Cathedral in Germany. This church is so special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
History of St. Mary's Church
In 1856, Reverend Peter Leonard Brandt came to Indianapolis. He wanted to create a church for German-speaking Catholics. Reverend Simon Siegrist became the first permanent pastor.
St. Mary's parish built its first church in 1858. It was located on East Maryland Street. Services were held in Latin and German. The church kept many old traditions from Europe.
For a while, St. Mary's also served Italian immigrants. But in 1911, a new church, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, was built just for them.
Around 1900, the area around the first church became more commercial. So, the parish bought land at New Jersey and Vermont streets. They built the current church there between 1910 and 1912.
Over the years, St. Mary's has changed with its neighborhood. In 1967, as more Spanish-speaking families moved in, the church began offering Sunday services in Spanish. German-language services are no longer held.
Church Architecture
Architect Hermann J. Gaul designed the church. He was from Cologne, Germany, and loved the Cologne Cathedral. He designed St. Mary's in the late Gothic Revival style.
St. Mary's church has a cross-shaped plan. It includes a narthex (entrance area) and a semi-octagonal apse (rounded end of the church). The walls are made of cut stone.
Outside the Church
The front of the church, called the façade, has three parts. The middle part has a pointed roof, called a gable. It is two stories tall. On each side are tall, matching towers.
The top of the central gable has a three-leaf design and a small decoration called a finial. There is also a statue of the Virgin Mary in a special spot.
The main entrance, or portal, is between strong supports called buttresses. Above the doorway, a carved stone panel, called a tympanum, shows the Crucifixion. A decorative band of fake arches runs along the doorway. Wide steps lead up to the entrance.
You can see gargoyles decorating the front of the church near the entrance and on the towers. The first three levels of the two four-story towers are square. The fourth level is eight-sided. Each tower has a tall, pointed roof called a spire. The carved panel on the north tower shows the birth of Christ. The panel on the south tower shows the Ascension of Jesus.
Stone walls on each side of the church have buttresses. These supports have a curved arch over each section. The end wall of each transept (the arms of the cross shape) has arched windows. The gable on the south transept has a statue of Saint Henry. The north transept has a statue of Saint Boniface.
Inside the Church
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The inside of the church has a high, arched ceiling. The apse at the front is semi-octagonal. The main area, called the sanctuary, has many statues. It also has several skylights and beautiful art glass windows.
On the north side, a stained glass window shows St. Boniface. He was a saint who helped convert Germans to Christianity. On the south side, another window shows St. Henry of Uppsala. He is known as a "church builder."
Church Services
As of 2019, St. Mary's parish is still part of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Mass is held on:
- Sundays: 8 a.m. (English and Spanish), 10:30 a.m. (English), and 1:15 p.m. (Spanish).
- Saturdays: 5 p.m. (English).
- Weekdays: Monday to Friday, 12 p.m.
- Holy Days: 12 p.m. (English) and 7 p.m. (Spanish).
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Santa María (Indianápolis) para niños
