A Franciscan Anchor on the Old South Side
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish stands at 1530 Union Street on the Old South Side of Indianapolis, a few blocks south of downtown and within sight of Lucas Oil Stadium. Founded in 1875 by German-speaking Franciscan friars, the parish is one of the oldest Catholic communities in the city and the spiritual home of about 65 original families that grew into a thriving German-speaking neighborhood a mile wide. The current church, a tall twin-towered brick edifice with twin bells blessed in 1891, still anchors the same block where the first friars took up residence in the summer of 1875.
For 150 years the parish has been staffed by the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), first from the Holy Cross Province in Saxony, Germany, and today by friars of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province. That Franciscan identity shapes everything from the daily Mass schedule to the way the parish talks about rebuilding itself, deliberately echoing the words of Christ to St. Francis: "Rebuild my church, which as you see is in ruins."
A Parish Born from German Exile
Sacred Heart is the daughter parish of St. Mary's German-Speaking Church, once located on the south side of Maryland Street between Pennsylvania and Delaware. In 1875 it was the only German-speaking parish in downtown Indianapolis. The Franciscans who staffed it had been exiled from Germany during the Kulturkampf, the cultural struggle between Chancellor Otto von Bismarck's government and the Roman Catholic Church over education and ecclesiastical appointments. In 1875 and 1876, ninety-nine friars and twenty-two candidates arrived in America during that expulsion.
On July 14, 1875, the Franciscan Chapter decided to send friars to Indianapolis. By the end of that month, five friars had taken up residence and begun parish work. They originally served about 65 families, but by 1892 at least 350 German families lived around the church, and by 1900 there were 650. The entire area was effectively German-speaking for about a one-mile radius, and even German-Jewish families settled nearby.
Building the Church in Three Phases
The entire northwest block of Union and Palmer Streets was purchased in 1875, and the church complex was built in three sections, all designed and supervised by Brother Adrian Wewer, OFM. The first section was the Monastery, with classrooms on the main floor, a chapel on the second, and the friars' residence on the third; the cornerstone was laid in August 1875 and the building was finished by Christmas.
The Main Church was built in three parts: the Transept, with cornerstone laid in 1883 and finished by late 1884; the Nave, completed in 1885; and the two front towers and bells, added from 1890 to 1891. The final phase was the School, started in 1894 and dedicated in 1895. By 1895 the mortgage was burned and the church was solemnly consecrated; the side altars and a larger main altar were added between 1898 and 1902, and the organ and steam heat arrived in 1899, in time for the parish's silver jubilee.
The 2001 Fire and Restoration
A tragic electrical fire in 2001 destroyed the main altar and left smoke damage throughout the building. Artisans reconstructed and repainted the ceiling, the pews were removed and refinished, and the main altar was entirely rebuilt. Air conditioning and a bathroom were added during the repair. The work was paid for by insurance and was completed eighteen months after the fire. Professor James J. Divita has documented that recovery in his booklet "Return to Splendor," companion to his larger history "Splendor of the Southside (1875-2000)," both of which are still available for purchase through the parish office.
Sunday Worship and the First Saturday Devotion
Sunday at Sacred Heart begins before dawn. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held at 8:00 a.m., followed by Reconciliation from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. and the Rosary at 8:10 a.m. The Sunday Mass follows at 9:00 a.m. and is the central liturgy of the parish. Mass is livestreamed on the parish Facebook page when a technician is available, and funerals and weddings are also streamed when announced.
Weekday Mass is celebrated on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. On the first Saturday of every month at 8:30 a.m., the parish gathers for Mass followed by Devotion to the Sacred Heart. The parish describes its worship style simply as Catholic and Franciscan: traditional in form, centered on the Eucharist, and rooted in the rhythms of the liturgical year.
Sacraments and Pastoral Care
Sacred Heart prepares parishioners for the full sacramental life of the Church. Reconciliation is offered each Sunday before Mass or by appointment with Fr. Tim. The Anointing of the Sick is available by contacting the parish office, with the pastor emphasizing personal outreach to infirm parishioners. Baptism is scheduled after preparation through the parish office, and the OCIA process (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) welcomes new Catholics and those seeking to complete their initiation.
Weddings are normally scheduled at 5:00 p.m. on Fridays and 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays, with other times available by arrangement. The parish maintains a Wedding and Music Policy document that couples can download, and Bibiana Romero-Blythe serves as the parish Wedding Minister, guiding couples through planning and rehearsal. A virtual tour of the church is available online so engaged couples can see the space in advance.
The Secular Franciscans and the OFM Friars
The Franciscan charism is the parish's living inheritance. The friars in residence today include Fr. Tim DeCrane, pastor, along with Fr. Duc Pham, OFM, Fr. Rogelio Martinez, OFM, Fr. Jesus Aguirrre, OFM, and Brother Kevin Lenihan, OFM. After many years of friars living on site, the community recently moved to St. Patrick's, a transition the friars marked with an emotional farewell message of thanks to parishioners for their generosity.
The Sacred Heart Secular Franciscan Fraternity, the third order created by St. Francis for lay men and women, single and married, gathers at 2:00 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month at Good Shepherd Catholic Church (2905 Carson Avenue, Indianapolis, 46203). The parish also maintains a vocation discernment page that links readers to the Secular Franciscans, the diocesan priesthood and diaconate, and the broader Order of Friars Minor.
Saint Vincent de Paul and the South Side Mission
Sacred Heart's Saint Vincent de Paul Conference is one of the most active works of mercy in the parish. Members help individuals and families meet basic needs and move toward self-sufficiency by providing food, clothing, and assistance with rent, utilities, and spiritual support. They also take on occasional special works: nursing home visits, toiletries for the homeless, free dinners, blanket and food drives, and informational street fairs. The parish's annual fall fellowship is a fundraiser for this committee.
The Indianapolis Council of Saint Vincent de Paul, of which the Sacred Heart conference is a part, operates a food pantry serving over 3,000 families weekly, along with the Mission 27 warehouse and thrift store, a Homeless Ministry, the Beggars of the Poor outreach, and the Changing Lives Program.
Rebuild My Church: A Parish-Wide Restoration
Following the spirit of St. Francis, the parish has launched a "Rebuild My Church" capital campaign aimed at repairing the roof, brick and mortar, windows, doors, and other essential structures of the 150-year-old building. An engineering report from Arsee Engineering, presented by parish member Eric Atkins, outlines the phases of repair. Donations are accepted through the parish's Realm giving platform, and gifts may be designated to the Rebuild My Church fund, the general parish fund, the Stewardship Tithing fund for registered parishioners, or the long-term endowment for maintenance of the church and friary, which is professionally managed by the Archdiocese and kept untouched in perpetuity.
The 150th Jubilee Year
The parish has been marking its sesquicentennial throughout 2025 and into 2026. The Jubilee Year opened on September 21, 2025 with a 9:00 a.m. Mass featuring a representative of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province, followed by a Jubilee brunch in the parish hall. A pilgrimage to Assisi followed in October 2025 for the friars and parishioners. The Jubilee Committee, chaired by Michael Coney, has coordinated commemorative apparel, Christmas ornaments, and a closing Mass and celebration in September 2026 marking the end of the jubilee year.
Partners in Ministry
Several organizations work alongside Sacred Heart to evangelize and serve the neighborhood. The Knights of Columbus Council 437 is a community of faith-filled men who serve both parish and city. The Secular Franciscans live out a Franciscan spirituality in daily life. Saint Vincent de Paul focuses on direct service to those in need. The OFM Franciscans USA animate the first order of Franciscan men. Concord Center, located near the parish, provides early childhood education, youth development, family social services, older adult enrichment, and care coordination for neighbors across the Old South Side.
Parish Leadership and Staff
Fr. Tim DeCrane serves as pastor. The staff includes Joe Miller, the parish's Liturgical Music Director and Coordinator, who brings more than sixty years of experience as a keyboardist, organist, guitarist, singer, and choir director; Bibiana Romero-Blythe, Assistant Business Manager, who handles weddings, communications, hall management, and documentation and is fluent in English and Spanish; and Tanya Hoover, the receptionist, who assists with parish registration, sacramental records, the bulletin, and funeral arrangements. Deacon Paul Vonderwall assists at Mass and leads the parish's formation efforts. The Finance Council is chaired by Clarence Golden and includes John Heinzelman, with Deacon Paul joining in November 2025.
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and the phone number is 317-638-5551. Those interested in baptism, OCIA, matrimony preparation, or any other sacrament are invited to call or stop in.
Visiting Sacred Heart
The church is open before and after each scheduled liturgy, and a 360-degree virtual tour is available online for anyone who would like to see the interior in advance. Weddings, funerals, and hall rentals can all be arranged through the parish office. Visitors are welcome to join the Sunday morning rhythm of adoration, confession, rosary, and Mass, or to drop in for a weekday Mass on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. Online giving, livestream access, the weekly bulletin, and registration as a parishioner are all available.