THE CHURCH
(Formerly St Michael Catholic Church 1839 -
1993). A property of Historic Madison Foundation, Inc.
| Religion, of course, was very much a
part of that early development. Baptist, Methodist, and
Presbyterian congregations and churches became an integral part of the
young community. Catholics are mentioned as early as 1814.
A newspaper account of Mass celebrated in a house located on the
southeast corner of Third and Broadway in 1817 by a priest from
Cincinnati, marks this date as the first gathering of Catholics in
Madison. |
|
 |
Madison, Indiana was laid out as a
town and the first lots were sold in 1809. As pioneers
migrated west down the Ohio River, the town became known as "The
Gateway" to the newly developing Northwest Territory. The town
grew by providing goods and services needed to outfit these early
settlers. |
 |
 |
 |
| It was not until the arrival of
Father Michael Shawe in July 1837 that the Madison Community
enjoyed the services of a resident pastor. Father Shawe's
immediate charge was to establish a parish and build a church. The
land was acquired in the summer of 1838 and on December 22,
1839, the first Mass was held in St Michael the Archangel Church.
St Michael Catholic Church, the second oldest surviving Catholic Church
in Indiana, is an important architectural, historic, and artistic
treasure of both Madison and the state of Indiana. In its infancy,
the church welcomed immigrants, particularly of Irish descent, who came
to Madison to build the Madison - Indianapolis Railroad. |
THE RECTORY
|
 |
ca 1860. The home to the
left of the Bell Tower was built as living quarters for the priests of
the parish. Constructed of stuccoed rubble stone with brick
cornice, fully exposed basement on the south, hipped roof and modified
central hall. The house closely resembles the garden houses
designated by the famous sixteenth century Italian architect GiaMADISON
da Vignola at Villa Lante about sixty miles north of Rome. |
THE CONVENT
| ca 1906. The home to
the right was built as living quarters for the sisters who taught in St
Michael School, located on the parking lot to the left of the church.
The school was constructed in 1905 and demolished in 1979.
The first school was located in the basement of the church in 1843
and taught by the Brothers of St Joseph (Later became part of the
Congregation of the Holy cross.) By 1844, the Sisters of
Providence, Terre Haute, Indiana were teaching in Madison followed by
Sisters of St Benedict, Ferdinand, Indiana and then the Ursuline Sisters
from Louisville, Kentucky. It is also
noteworthy that Francis Costigan, Madison's most famous builder and
architect was a resident of Madison at this time, having moved here from
Baltimore as early as November, 1837. Costigan, who's
Lanier Mansion and Shrewsbury House in Madison are his most impressive
works, was a member of St Michael Church, and is considered by many to
be the architect of the church.
As the city grew and developed, the church stood as a
symbol of religious diversity. Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and
possibly other denominations had already arrived in this new town in the west.
St Michael has served as a focal point for significant
events in the life of the Catholic community. As the renewed Liturgy of
Vatican II (in the 1960's has profoundly affected existing Roman Catholic
churches everywhere, so too have these changes caused the local Catholic
community to initiate change through consolidation and unity within the Madison
and Jefferson County parishes.
The local Catholic community has moved to a one parish,
one church facility concept. With that came the decision of the
Archdiocese and the local parish to discontinue use of St Michael Church.
We note this important landmark structure is already included as part of the
National Register Historic District and with its transfer to Historic Madison
Foundation, Inc, we now see an expanded role. The result is this venerable
building belongs to all people. Preservation of these buildings is
important to the neighborhood and the community because it epitomized the
traditional values of family, church, and community.
|
|
