St. Michael’s is one of the oldest buildings used as a Catholic church in the state and the oldest Gothic Revival-style building in Indiana. The pointed-arched windows are a key component of this style of architecture. Inside the building, the ceiling is a rare ogee-arch “open book” ceiling. The building also houses a 1895 organ, numerous beautiful statues, and many paintings. Historic Madison, Inc., owns and operates the property. Visitors can take a guided tour of the oldest Gothic Revival building in Indiana, where they will learn about the many people who used the space in the past and see the ongoing preservation work being accomplished by HMI staff and contractors.

Simon William Gabriel Bruté de Rémur, bishop of the Vincennes diocese, authorized the founding of a parish in Madison in 1837. He appointed Father Michael E. Shawe as the first resident pastor, and St. Michael the Archangel’s first mass was held on December 22, 1839. St. Michael the Archangel was donated to Historic Madison Inc. by the Indianapolis Archdiocese in 1993 as part of the consolidation of the Catholic parishes in Madison.
A tour will occur on the second Saturday of each month from May to October at 10 AM (May 9, June 13, July 11, August 8, September 12, and October 10). Tours will last approximately an hour. Some stairs will be required, but they can be limited if needed. The building does not have air conditioning and may be warm, depending on the weather. The guided tour will start at St. Michael the Archangel, located at 519 E Third St. at the corner of Third Street and St. Michael Avenue. Tickets are $10 for adults. Students and HMI members are free.

Registered attendees are encouraged to meet their guides at St. Michael’s at 519 E 3rd St., five minutes before each tour. All ages are welcome to attend. Each tour will last approximately 45-60 minutes.
Accessibility is limited at this property. For questions, please call Historic Madison, Inc. at 812-265-2967.

Parking is on city streets in a primarily residential neighborhood. Please allow time to find a parking place and walk to the venue.