5 Most Beautiful Gothic Churches In Indiana

Imposing church spires and stained glass invoke images of cathedrals in Spain and Italy. But beautiful church architecture is not confined to Europe. You will find Gothic-style churches throughout the U.S., including the Midwest. Each of these stunning buildings, especially those that stand in Indiana, tells its own story of faith and community. Here are five of the most spectacular Gothic churches in the Hoosier State, each deserving of a moment of awe.

St. Adalbert Catholic Church, South Bend

St. Adalbert Catholic Church on Grace Street in South Bend remains an immigrant church in 2025, and is often called the ‘Cathedral of the West Side.’ When the first Polish immigrants settled in the area around 1868, they formed fraternal aid societies. These societies eventually began to build churches, with the St. Adalbert society ensuring that the foundation for the church was laid in 1909. The first mass was held in October 1910, outdoors. The original church building was designed by Chicago-based architects Worthmann and Steinbach in the Gothic Revival style and constructed between 1923 and 1926.

Not surprisingly, the church drew many immigrants after its opening. In fact, it became a symbol of immigrant aspiration, since the church dominated the skyline of South Bend’s west side with twin steeples that rise 175 feet. The building also features brick masonry trimmed with limestone and stained-glass windows in pointed arch form above the entry. The interior remains largely unchanged, featuring a cruciform layout. The walls are decorated with murals, friezes, and sculptures. One of the stained-glass windows depicting The Last Supper was donated by pupils of the St. Adalbert School in 1917. This intact church is one of the finest examples of Polish Gothic architecture, which retains its cultural identity to this day.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Indianapolis

St. Mary’s Catholic Church, which is in Indianapolis, is one of the state’s most iconic landmarks. The original parish building, designed by architect Hermann J. Gaul, was founded in 1858 as a place of worship for the growing German population. The current church building was completed in 1912. Gaul was born in Cologne, Germany, and the Cologne Cathedral in his hometown inspired the cruciform plan of St. Mary’s Church. St. Mary’s is also designed according to the late Gothic Revival style. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

St. Mary’s still retains its reputation as one of the most striking examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the Midwest region of the U.S. The church’s stone façade is separated into three distinct sections. There is a central section with a trefoil motif and a finial. There is also a statue of the Virgin Mary, as well as towers topped with tall spires. The church is just as beautiful on the inside with its vaulted ceiling, statues, and stained-glass windows. In 2025, the church offers Mass in both English and Spanish, as well as confession.

Delphi Methodist Episcopal Church, Delphi

The Delphi Methodist Episcopal Church in 118 N. Union Street, Delphi, had its sanctuary section built in 1869. Major alterations were made to the building in 1884 and 1897, with the addition of an education wing in 1926. Overall, the building is designed in the late Gothic Revival style, with the education wing built in the Collegiate Gothic style. The most instantly recognizable feature is the three-story bell tower on the northeast corner. The church is gorgeous with its red-colored brick walls, buttresses, gables, and pointed-arch windows.

On the inside, there is stained glass and pointed arches everywhere. The church also still incorporates the Gothic-proportioned interior space of the original sanctuary. The Gothic Revival design is also evident in the interior, particularly in the nave and window bays. This church is in a smaller town, but it is still one of Indiana’s best and most inspiring landmarks.

St. Michael the Archangel Church, Madison

The St. Michael the Archangel Church at 519 East 3rd Street, Madison, is the oldest Gothic Revival-style building in the state. The design is attributed to the leading early 19th-century architect, Francis Costigan. Legend has it that the stone indicated in the design was cut from the railroad incline quarry above the church. Many of the first parishioners who attended the church were Irish immigrants who found jobs working on this railroad. The other features on the outside of the building include pointed-arch windows and steeply pitched roofs. As beautiful as the church is on the outside, it is even more spectacular inside.

The ceiling is an attraction in its own right, described as an ogee arch. This ‘open-book’ ceiling is a symbol of the open Bible as the Word of God. Ogee-arches are rare, which is why this particular church is so special. It is also interesting to note that the church’s nave was extended in 1865. It now stretches thirty feet further to the north. The church is also situated on a slope, which means that most of the additional nave was built below grade. Other notable features inside the church include original paintings, statues, and an 1895 organ.

First Evangelical United Church of Christ, Aurora

Located at 111 Fifth Street in Aurora, the First Evangelical United Church of Christ was originally built as a Baptist meetinghouse in 1848. The church was remodeled in 1911 to follow the Gothic Revival architectural style, and a front entrance with a steeple replaced the old bell tower. The building is constructed out of red brick and is a single-story structure. There are arched windows and door openings, and the projecting tower sports an octagonal spire. A parish hall was constructed on the same premises between 1932 and 1934.

The church was frequented by Aurora Baptists from its founding in 1848 until 1872. From 1872 until 2010, it was used by the First Evangelical United Church of Christ. Today, the church still features mesmerizing stained-glass windows and a historic organ. It is still available for memorial services, weddings, and other events, but only by booking. It is also the oldest place of worship in Aurora and is now used for the City of Spires Historical Foundation and Museum.

Preserving Faith And Gothic Architecture In Indiana

Indiana’s Gothic-style churches offer historic spaces where fine artistry and community come together. The memory of those who designed and visited these churches over the years lives on in the spectacular interior and exterior architectural details. Those who visit these magnificent buildings may find themselves developing a new appreciation for the absolute beauty and practical purpose of each one, which still rings true in the 21st century, inspiring both reflection and admiration in every visitor.