HUNI continues to urge preservation, adaptive reuse of Holy Cross Church

The steeple of the Church of the Holy Cross, aka Holy Cross Church, in Indianapolis, IN.

If it seems like only last year that HUNI joined others, including the Holy Cross Neighborhood, in advocating for the protection of the namesake Church of the Holy Cross ("Holy Cross Church"), you're not alone.

In April 2024, the Holy Cross Church was designated as a historic site by the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission, thus sparing it from the wrecking ball.

In the nearly 18 months that have passed, HUNI would have hoped to see dialogue between preservation supporters and the Indianapolis archdiocese, who currently owns the property, but instead: nothing.

Worse still, rather than engage the communuity in meaningful conversation, it seems that the archdiocese has spent the time scrounging for deeper legal arguments that favor only the church's destruction.

To that end, HUNI has drafted the following position, which it has sent to IHPC. HUNI also encourages others to:

  • Attend the Oct 1, 2025 IHPC hearing and voice support for preserving the church
     
  • Write to IHPC prior to the hearing so your voice may be included in their file
     
  • Write to your local elected officials, asking them to at least take notice of the importance of preserving significant historic structures like Holy Cross Church


HUNI's letter to the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission
 

September 22, 2025

Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission
200 East Washington Street
Suite 1842
Indianapolis, IN 46204

RE: 2025-COA-351(HC)

Dear Commissioners:

HUNI stands firm in joining the Holy Cross Neighborhood in opposing the demolition of the Church of the Holy Cross complex (a.k.a. “Holy Cross Church”), located at 125 N. Oriental Street. We support the decision made by the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission (later upheld and adopted by the Metropolitan Planning Commission) that determined the Church, Rectory, Gymnasium, and School Building to be of historic and architectural significance and designated them as historic areas.

HUNI respects the time and effort the archdiocese has spent investigating the needs of the building. We simply disagree that its salvation is impossible. Moreover, the lack of transparency or engagement with either the surrounding neighborhoods or groups like Indiana Landmarks, who work tirelessly to find creative solutions to these situations, is disappointing.

One needn’t look far—within one mile, Indianapolis is home to several creative adaptive reuses of churches,
including:

  • The former Holiness Church at 719 E. St. Clair St. is now home to IF Theatre, a preeminent performing arts organization and producer of the annual IndyFringe Festival.
  • The former Fletcher Place United Methodist Church, a grand brick Gothic Revival built in 1874, has been fully restored inside and out and now houses several condominiums.
  • The former Trinity Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, a once-anchor and partial namesake for the Holy Rosary-Danish Church Historic District built in 1872, will soon be reopened and reimagined into the Lille Bønne, a self-described “community living room”—aiming to bring about a truly unique space centered around community.
  • The former St. Joseph Church at 540 N. College Ave., a Catholic church and another brick Gothic Revival constructed in 1880, serves as a successful restaurant. Even after the congregation officially shut its doors, this church served various community needs.

The point is clear and simple: preserving historically significant structures—even dilapidated ones—is far from impossible. Designers and developers, when inspired and challenged, can achieve amazing results.

We dispute the archdiocese’s claims that, were preservation possible, they would have pursued it. They have demonstrated an absolute reluctance to allow any reuse of the property as-is. The truth appears, that it’s not that a buyer or developer can’t be found, it’s that they simply don’t want to find one.

Instead, HUNI urges the preservation of these historic structures so they may live to tell their stories to future generations.

You may also download a PDF copy of this letter.

Share