St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Vincennes grant to retore masonry at state's oldest Catholic church

Sixteen congregations around the state have received grants from Indiana Landmarks’ Sacred Places Indiana Fund to address significant capital needs at their historic houses of worship.

The awards mark the fourth round of grants since the fund was established in 2023 with support from Lilly Endowment Inc.

Sacred Places Indiana will distribute $2.5 million in grants to several congregations including the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Vincennes. A $226,160 capital grant is to be used for support masonry restoration at Indiana’s oldest Catholic church, constructed in 1826. The grant expands on a previous $100,000 award after masonry consultants suggested a revised scope of work to ensure preservation best practices.

“By offering this critical funding, we hope to help congregations and parishes continue to thrive as spiritual centers and use their landmark buildings in ways that support and serve their communities,” says David Frederick, director of Indiana Landmarks’ Sacred Places Indiana Program.

Historic churches that have identified significant capital needs, have the support of their judicatories, and are ready to take on a capital campaign could be candidates for the Sacred Places Indiana Fund.

The fund awards matching grants in a competitive process. Selected congregations must be committed to good stewardship of their historic structures and have demonstrated signs of organizational health including established clergy and lay leadership, clearly defined project goals, stable or growing membership, community engagement, and financial strength and stability. Congregations should be ready to undertake and complete both a capital campaign and construction project within the next two years.