Posted in: Historic Miscellania The Devil in the Old Northside

The first official home of the People’s Temple led by the notorious Reverend Jim Jones at 1502 N. New Jersey St. – Photo: Ryan Hamlett As time passes, any city of size will accumulate ghosts...

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Posted in: Penny Post Penny Post: 515 Churches

Cadle Tabernacle, Indianapolis, IND. Have you ever heard the Rime of the Ancient Mariner? “Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.” The image of thirsty sailors surrounded by vast bodies of water may come...

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Posted in: Friday Favorites Friday Favorite: Fall Creek Cemetery and Ebenezer Lutheran Church

It’s a Small (After)world…* Fall Creek Cemetery, a true Indiana pioneer graveyard, can be found at approximately 4100 Millersville Road, just east of Keystone Avenue — tucked between an aging urban business district and the contrasting beauty...

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Posted in: WTH WTH Weds: Vinyl Vision

Some of the most beautiful and detailed architecture in the world has been built for religious purposes. This is not one of them. Would be interesting to know what other purposes this building served in...

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Posted in: Historic Miscellania Former First Friends Church, Old Northside

Former Friends Church, 1249 N. Alabama – Photo by Ryan Hamlett The former Friends Church building at 13th and Alabama in the Old North Side has had a busy year so far. The nearly 120-year-old...

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Posted in: Sunday Prayers Sunday Prayers: 143 W. 40th (Capitol Avenue Christian Church)

Dedicated in 1922 as Capitol Avenue Christian Church, 143 W. 40th St. is also a former Masonic Lodge. (photo by Dawn Olsen) They stared up at me, dressed in their Sunday best. They, the old...

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Posted in: A Room with a View Room With A View – Irvington United Methodist Church

Irvington United Methodist Church Happy New Year! Checking out Irvington on Indianapolis’ east side with a view of the Tudor-style Irvington United Methodist Chuch from an undisclosed coffee house. What is your favorite coffee house view?...

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Posted in: Friday Favorites Friday Favorite: St. Mary’s Catholic Church

No matter your religion, surely you marvel at many of the ecclesiastical structures throughout Indianapolis–especially the historic ones. This one is a touchstone for many who pick up groceries at what is now a Marsh grocery...

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Posted in: Building Language Building Language: Steeple

Steeple. The architectural term steeple refers to the entire tower and spire as found on religious architecture. The steeple will rise above the roofline of the building and can vary in height. The tower is...

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Posted in: Friday Favorites Friday Favorite: 6 Trivia Bits, Scottish Rite Cathedral

* This is the largest Scottish Rite cathedral in the world. * It was designed by George F. Schreiber, architect and member, 1926. * The Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral cost $2.5 Million to build. *...

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Posted in: WTH WTH Weds: Have Mercy on this Building

This little gem is located *correction* WITHIN the boundaries of the Chatham Arch Historic District.  Pretty much all of the architectural details are hidden by the aluminum(?) siding, but you can still (somewhat) imagine what...

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Posted in: Building Language Building Language: Cornerstone

Cornerstone. The cornerstone is one of the great features of any historic building. The cornerstone, typically literal in its presentation, is a major stone placed near the bottom corner of a structure. You may hear...

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Posted in: Friday Favorites Friday Favorite: Scottish Rite Cathedral

Scottish Rite Cathedral is one of everyone’s favorites, isn’t it? Visitors to the city who make their way to the 600 block of North Meridian will inevitably inquire about this gorgeous limestone structure. Or, I...

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Posted in: WTH WTH Weds: Praise the Roof

3400 block of College – Wondering what this was in it’s previous life…? Update 7/8/2012- This building evidently collapsed today.  ...

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Posted in: Building Language Building Language: Finial

Finial. Standing on top of the apex of a roof or spire is the piece of architectural ornament known as a finial. As a reminder, a spire is a tall, pyramidal structure that rises above...

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Posted in: Sunday Prayers Sunday Prayers: 22nd & Broadway – Stop the Insanity!

This got a lot of attention this week on facebook, and the outrage was justifiably robust. This lovely limestone structure at the corner of 22nd & Broadway has been home to Broadway Methodist Episcopal, First...

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Posted in: Historic Miscellania Preservation Denied: Board of Trade Building

If you are a faithful reader of our site, you may recall our interview with Indiana Landmarks President, Marsh Davis, cited the Board of Trade building as one of the bigger losses to preservation in...

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