Holy Cross

The Holy Cross Church Is Safe — For Now

How Landmark Status, Neighborhood Voices & Preservation Groups Stopped the Wrecking Ball

Last spring, fears swirled through Indy’s near-east side: the iconic Church of the Holy Cross — the spiritual and architectural anchor of its namesake neighborhood — would soon be razed. But in a victory for preservationists and community advocates, the city moved to protect it from demolition.

Here’s how that played out — and why, despite wounds and uncertainty, Holy Cross stands today.

Why the Push to Save Holy Cross

1. Historic and architectural significance
Holy Cross is more than a neighborhood church. It’s a striking example of Italian Renaissance Revival architecture, crowned by a 136-foot bell tower. Mirror Indy+3Axios+3huniindy.org+3 Over the years, it’s become a visual and cultural landmark for the area. The community sees it as part of their identity and heritage. huniindy.org+3wthr.com+3huniindy.org+3

2. Community mobilization
When news broke that the Archdiocese planned to demolish the building and its rectory, neighbors and local groups rallied. A petition gained signatures; residents showed up to public hearings; and neighborhood associations made their voices heard. huniindy.org+5huniindy.org+5wishtv.com+5

3. Support from preservation organizations
Groups like Indiana Landmarks — which puts endangered historic structures into the spotlight — threw in their weight. They proposed reuse and redevelopment options and pressed for protective designations. huniindy.org+6Axios+6Indianapolis Business Journal+6 These groups have experience rescuing difficult properties, which helped frame the argument that Holy Cross was redeemable, not doomed.

4. Municipal intervention: historic designation
The turning point came April 17, 2024, when the Metropolitan Development Commission voted to designate Holy Cross as a historic site. That move cemented an earlier emergency protection from the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission (IHPC) and effectively blocks demolition of the structure itself. huniindy.org+5wthr.com+5WRTV Indianapolis+5

With that vote, the church building and rectory gain protection — even though the Archdiocese had signaled intentions to tear them down. huniindy.org+5WRTV Indianapolis+5Indianapolis Business Journal+5

Who Wanted to Demolish — and Why

The Archdiocese / St. Philip Neri Parish
Since Holy Cross was merged into St. Philip Neri Parish (in 2014), the building has been unused, falling into disrepair. wishtv.com+5wthr.com+5WRTV Indianapolis+5 In statements and in filings, the church leadership argued:

The cost to restore and maintain it is prohibitive (some estimates peg it at $7–8 million). WRTV Indianapolis+3IndyStar+3Indianapolis Business Journal+3
They say the proposals they’ve received for reuse “do not live up to the inherent dignity” required by Catholic teaching — i.e. they reject any use that could contradict the building’s sacred nature. WRTV Indianapolis+2wishtv.com+2
Some in the church argue that imposing historic restrictions violates religious freedom, preventing them from making decisions about their own property. wthr.com+3CatholicVote org+3wishtv.com+3

In short: they see demolition (or partial demolition) as financially simpler and as giving them control over what happens with the land. CatholicVote org+5Indianapolis Business Journal+5WRTV Indianapolis+5

Why It’s Not Being Torn Down (Yet)

Thanks to that historic designation, the Archdiocese cannot demolish the church building or its rectory (unless it wins legal challenges) — those protections are now in place. wthr.com+3WRTV Indianapolis+3wthr.com+3 The IHPC’s 22-page preservation plan and emergency resolutions gave the city legal footing to block demolition. Indianapolis Business Journal+3wishtv.com+3huniindy.org+3

What’s more, local groups continue to propose adaptive reuse paths (e.g. community space, arts venue, mixed use) and are pushing for transparency and collaboration from church leaders. Axios+5huniindy.org+5huniindy.org+5

Finally, the building now carries symbolic weight: letting it vanish would be a blow to community memory and morale — something the city and preservationists have leaned into in public hearings and advocacy. huniindy.org+3wthr.com+3Indianapolis Business Journal+3

What’s Next — Still Unclear

Holy Cross’s future isn’t guaranteed. Some current issues to watch:

Ongoing legal & constitutional debate: The parish continues to challenge historic restrictions on religious grounds. wthr.com+3CatholicVote org+3wishtv.com+3
Funding & reuse: Even with protections, someone has to pay for maintenance and renovation. If no viable buyer or partner steps up, it may languish. Axios+6IndyStar+6huniindy.org+6
Selective demolition: While the main sanctuary is protected, other parts — like nonhistoric wings or the school/gym buildings — might still be vulnerable. Indianapolis Business Journal+2WRTV Indianapolis+2
Community involvement: Continued pressure, creative visioning, and collaboration will matter. Groups like HUNI (Historic Urban Neighborhoods of Indianapolis) have recently reaffirmed their commitment to preservation and adaptive reuse. huniindy.org