The Church of the Holy Cross - 1401 East Ohio Street

Year Built: 1896

Architecture Style: Neoclassical

Key Features:

• Large Ionic Columns
• Stone Construction
• Wide Entablature

The parish was founded in 1895 by the Catholic Diocese of Indianapolis. They ministered to the Irish, Italian, and German citizens living in the area. In 1896 the first building on the site was dedicated and it remained until 1927 when it was severely damaged by a tornado.

In 1902 the church also established Holy Cross Catholic School (east part of building) where they separated girls and boys classes and the Sisters of Providence convent (west part – parish building with porch).

Other Significant Events:

• 1930s they combined girls and boys into the same school
• 1922– Larger, existing church building dedicated
• 1948 – Gymnasium/fellowship hall built – originally Fatima Hall, renamed Kelley Hall in 1989
• 1970 – Father Byrne founded NESCO (Near Eastside Community Organization)
• 1972 – became a rectory
• 1987 – school part of the building expanded to the south
• 1987 – Parish building sold to Eastside Community Investments (ECI)and renovated for low-income residents - "Providence Place"
  • 1976 – ECI formed.
    • 1982 – renovated 1210 E Ohio Street (formerly headquarters of Outlaws Motorcycle Club)
    • ECI had a method of creating duplex situation
    • 1980s - ECI also helped paint houses for low income families, caulked windows, and winterized 158 eastside houses.
• 2014 - The church was closed
• 2015 - The collapse of front facade
• 2019 - windows removed