Skip to main content

Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis parish registers

 Collection
Identifier: L462

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of a volume of transcribed registers from Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis, Indiana, ranging from 1837 to 1922, containing baptisms, confirmations, communions, marriages, and burials. There are also photocopies of the original registers.

Dates

  • 1837-1922

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.

Historical Note

In June 1837, Indianapolis Episcopalians decided to purchase a lot on Monument Circle to build a church. On July 13th of that year, thirty people organized the Parish Church of Christ. The congregation held several fundraising drives to acquire the money to build the first Gothic-style church that was completed in November 1838. In 1856, it was decided that a new church should be built. A church-appointed committee chose architect William Tinsley to design the new building. The new church held its first service on May 22, 1859. The building still stands in Monument Circle as of 2025.

Since its founding, Christ Church has conducted an active community ministry. It was the mother church for several missions and congregations including St. Luke's in 1863 and St. Phillip's in 1888. Under the leadership of Paul Moore, Jr. in the 1960s, the church received recognition for its urban ministry programs. In 1993, Christ Church claimed 750 members and it continues to serve as cathedral for the diocese, parish to its members, and as a church to downtown Indianapolis.

Source:

Bodenhammer, David J. and Robert G. Barrows, eds. The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Bloomington, IN: Indiana UP, 1994.

Wikipedia. "Christ Church Cathedral (Indianapolis)." Wikipedia.org. Accessed July 14, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_Church_Cathedral_(Indianapolis).

Extent

0.3 Cubic Feet (1 manuscript box)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically and by subject.

Custodial History

This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation.

Accruals

No further additions are expected.

Processing Information

Collection processing completed in 2003 by Elizabeth M. Wilkinson. Finding aid created in 2003 by Elizabeth M. Wilkinson. EAD finding aid updated 2015/11/13 by Edythe Huffman. Collection reprocessing completed 2025/07/14 by Brittany Kropf. EAD finding aid revised 2025/07/14 by Brittany Kropf.
Title
Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis parish registers
Status
Under Revision
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671