St. Mary’s Catholic Church 🇺🇸

If you appreciate historic architecture and sacred design, a visit to St. Mary's Catholic Church (St. Marienkirche) in Indianapolis belongs on your itinerary. Originally founded in 1858 to serve a growing German population, this Roman Catholic parish listed on the National Register of Historic Places offers a fascinating look into the city's changing cultural heritage. Completed in 1912 at the corner of New Jersey and Vermont streets, the present church was designed by architect Hermann J.

Gaul. Gaul, a Cologne native, crafted the late Gothic Revival structure using a cruciform plan modeled after the famous Cologne Cathedral in Germany. Outside, you can admire stone-dressed walls, gargoyles decorating the entry portal and towers, twin four-story spired towers, and stone statues of the Virgin Mary, Saint Henry, and Saint Boniface. The façade also features detailed relief sculptures, including the Crucifixion in the central tympanum. Step inside to explore the vaulted ceiling, semi-octagonal apse, and a sanctuary illuminated by skylights and vibrant art glass windows.

Notable stained-glass windows honor St. Boniface and St. Henry of Uppsala, offering a peaceful space to reflect on Old World traditions and craftsmanship right in downtown Indianapolis.

What to see at St. Mary's Catholic Church

• Modeled after the famous Cologne Cathedral in Germany by architect Hermann J. Gaul
• Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Features exterior gargoyles, twin spired towers, and a relief sculpture of the Crucifixion
• Beautiful interior with a vaulted ceiling, skylights, and historic art glass windows

Visiting tips

Take time to examine the exterior tympanums above each tower, which depict the birth of Christ on the north tower and the Ascension of Jesus on the south tower.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Early morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

St. Mary's Catholic Church is easy to reach on Indianapolis’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Indianapolis Zoo and Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Indianapolis travel guide.