1347 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral
The cathedral of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, a compact but dignified Romanesque Revival church in the heart of the city that has served as the bishop's seat since 1907.
Indianapolis has a cathedral that does not try to be bigger than it is, and that is part of its appeal. Saints Peter and Paul was built in 1906 and designed in a restrained Romanesque Revival style — round arches, a square bell tower, and walls of brown brick that blend into the surrounding downtown blocks. The interior is warm and simple: an open nave with wooden pews, a coffered ceiling, and a sanctuary anchored by a marble altar. The stained glass windows are American-made and tell stories from the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, with a particular emphasis on the lives of Peter and Paul. A renovation in the early 2000s updated the mechanical systems and cleaned the interior without altering its character. The cathedral sits on Meridian Street, the city's historic central axis, surrounded by government buildings, hotels, and the bustle of a state capital. Archbishop Joseph Tobin, later Cardinal Tobin, served here before moving to Newark, and the parish maintains a reputation for solid preaching and active lay involvement. It is a cathedral that earns its keep by being a good parish church first.
Diocese: Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Style: Romanesque Revival
What to See
The stained glass windows are the best reason to linger — they are clear, well-drawn, and readable without a guidebook. The sanctuary is simple and focused, with a marble altar that draws the eye forward. The bell tower is handsome from outside, especially seen from Meridian Street looking north. The overall impression is of a church built for use rather than display.
Pilgrim Notes
The cathedral is on North Meridian Street, walkable from downtown hotels and the convention center. Street parking is available. Mass is offered daily. If you are in Indianapolis, consider visiting the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at the cathedral and the historic St. John the Evangelist Church, the oldest Catholic parish in the city.