Also known as the church on the circle, or the little church on the circle
Opened May 1859, Gothic Revival, Episcopalian
To me, this building is notable because they host the annual Strawberry Festival every June since 1965. Although as far back as 1857, this church was raising funds with strawberries, it’s long been an essential summer event.
It was hard to get that spire…
Here’s a photo from Historic Indianapolis, which captures the detail of the spire:
This church also has some very impressive professional choirs who perform not just for the Indianapolis Symphony, but internationally as well.
The church on the circle is prime real estate — its land much coveted. It’s been rumored that when a local bank wanted to buy it, Eli Lilly, philanthropist and member said, “I’ll buy that bank before I let them tear down my church.”
(And the Thursday Door Crowd nods vehemently.)
I think the doors are impressive from the walk, but upon closer inspection, they’re one of my favorites — doors within doors!
#ThursdayDoors is part of an inspired post series run by Norm Frampton. To see other doors of interest, or to share your own, click the link and find the frog.
joeyfullystated 
Tearing things down to put up office buildings isn’t the only thing that gives land value, but it’s a good thing people back then built these churches in the cities – it would be hard to go the other way.
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You’re right about that! We’re losing grand churches right and left. I’ve encountered many repurposed churches, and it pleases me they’re kept on in some fashion.
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Some make lovely little theaters. I would prefer they remain houses of worship – we need all the help from God we can get these days – but old buildings can be very expensive to maintain, heat, and aircondition – and their natural congregations can often not afford to live close enough. Some of the rich ‘congregations’ shouldn’t be allowed to call themselves churches.
Maybe we all need to go back to the catacombs.
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Beautiful doors on a lovely building. Many years ago one of my oldest and dearest friends was ordained in that church. Great memories.
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Oh that’s so nice! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Eli Lilly had the right idea! It’s a gorgeous building, and so it or was the building next door…speaking about the historical image you shared.
I love, love, love that green spire! Yes, I love green, and that shade on roofs just melts my heart and I swoon.
The stained glass windows look gorgeous. I’d love to see those when the sun hits them.
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I see you’ve got a thing for that copper patina and am pleased to have provided you another 🙂
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I do♥ 🙂 Thank you!
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Cute place. I like how its offset by huge office buildings. It gives it a real feel of fire & brimstone religion. Dig those windows too.
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I couldn’t capture the windows in all their glory, I bet they’re better from inside — Glad you like it 🙂
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It’s great to see the contrast between the old photo and yours, with the modern buildings surrounding the old church. I like that it still has a connection with strawberries, that’s nice.
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Isn’t it? Thanks, Jean 🙂
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Those are pretty doors on an interesting little church. I love how it has survived over the years. And the whole strawberry connection makes it even sweeter. [pun intended]
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Well-punned, Ally Bean 🙂 I’m glad you like it.
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That ‘little’ church isn’t quite so little … it just looks small now compared to the other buildings around it. I couldn’t help but notice the Bank of Montreal logo on the building to the right in the first photo. Those damn Canadians are everywhere 😉
Great choice of doors within doors 🙂
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Yes, that’s right 🙂 The church holds about 300.
I could write 3000+ words about interstate banking laws in Indiana, but I’ll spare you and just say, we welcome all the banks ever. lol
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Banks and lawyers are always winners
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Love the effect of the spire against the block behind it. Shows the church may be dwarfed but it’s not giving up, it’s still trying to – ahem – aspire!
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Ahaha! Well-punned 🙂 Thanks!
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And now I like Eli Lilly a little bit more.
What a beautiful building. We have a similar Episcopal Cathedral in Hartford, occupying a similarly valuable piece of property. I hope they can both survive the periodic storms of developers that roll through.
Stone, wood, arches, awe-inspiring peaks and windows drawing your gaze up to the heavens – it’s too beautiful for words. And strawberries? Who doesn’t love that? Great job, Joey!
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I’m glad you like it, too 🙂 Thanks!
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Eli Lilly was an honorable man and, yes, I am nodding my head. I never like to see a church taken down for any reason. Refurbish or re-purpose it if you must, but please don’t tear it down! Thanks for sharing photos of this church. It’s a beauty!
PS: Have they had the strawberry festival yet? How many quarts of strawberries have you eaten so far?
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Strawberry Festival runs mid-June, Thursday to Saturday, and yes, we already had it. I didn’t get to go this year. Usually it’s a $10 shortcake big enough for two 🙂
I buy my berries at Aldi or the stand in front of the bakery 🙂
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What a beautiful church, Joey. Those doors within doors are impressive as is the spire, and well, everything about it really! 🙂
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I’m glad you like it, too 🙂
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What a treasure! So glad this beautiful church wasn’t torn down in order to build something modern. 🙂
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Me too. It’s an original feature 🙂
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Some beautiful doors, Joey! Neat that you also got a hold of the historic drawing. Always wished when I see a high rise right behind or next to a steeple, that the architects (or the city council) had some more sense of decorum.
On another subject, as the week progresses, I get often more forgetful about answering my comments, so if I didn’t answer them all, my apology!
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I’m glad you like them too.
The old picture is a photograph from about 1879, not a sketch, pretty neat, huh? 🙂
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wow – how much photography has advanced!
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A+. Beautiful church, gorgeous doors, and an amazing story to go with it. Love this little church with its strawberry history.
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Me too, Judy, thanks 🙂
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I love your door posts!
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Thanks! 🙂
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Beautiful, and I love that it holds out in the face of commerce.
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Me too, Craig 🙂
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*Nodding vehemently with the rest of the crowd* Thank you Mr. Lilly.
There’s a few smaller old churches around town here, surround by tall buildings. I’m sure there’s 15 developers a week that drool over the thought of knocking them down to build another office or condo tower.
Interestingly small (non) foyer between the two sets of double doors. Probably a space saving design?
Oh and the stained glass looks awesome. Nice shots Joey 🙂
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I read once that the little vestibules were designed to keep out the cold. I have no idea if it’s true.
I sure am glad you like it, and glad it still stands. Thanks, Norm 🙂
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Isn’t it wonderful how those old churches survive all the modernization around them and keep their elegance?
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It really is.
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There is something so sacred about these old churches. So glad the bank was not able to purchase the land. We don’t need another damn strip mall or parking lot.
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Absolutely! Sacred is a great word for this church, twice over 🙂
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I like old churches for the architecture and history. This brings to mind Trinity Church Wall Street, NYC. My fried was a Vestryman (also Episcopalian) for the 250-year-old church which played a major role as a shelter during the 9/11 catastrophe. It too, has a remarkable history. I looked, but couldn’t find any good door pics.
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Well that’s wonderful! Thanks for sharing that 🙂
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Impressive! I love the trees and that this church has withstood the surrounding giants of so called, “progress.” It’s kinda miraculous.
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Me too. It’s a real marvel 🙂
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I love those doors within doors!
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🙂 ME too!
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I do love those doors within doors and that beautiful spire. It’s interesting that it looks so tiny when dwarfed by the modern buildings since you can see in the historic photo that I’m sure it was quite impressive in stature in its time. I do love a stained glass window too! 🙂
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It really was, I’m sure. I’m glad you like it too.
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I say hurrah for Eli!! I love stone buildings and this one is a beauty.
janet
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I love this gorgeous church and the black (dark gray?) Doors the best! The steeple is stunning and I live your perspective shots, Joey.
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Thanks! I loved them too — the color is like you say, black. dark gray, but warm. It was definitely carefully chosen 🙂
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