Indianapolis, Indiana: Crossing the Intersection.

 Continuing with the states beginning with I, we come to the true intersection of America. Indianapolis, Indiana is the most centrally located capital of any state in the union. The first national road actually passed through the early days of this Capitol location. It was founded in 1821 as a planned city to centrally locate the newly formed state government.
   Indiana has had 5 statehouses since it became a state in 1816. The first was in Corydon, the next four in Indianapolis. The current Capitol was finished in 1888 and features a statue of George Washington in front of the south entrance. The shape of the building is a cross, very fitting for the crossroads of America.
   The oldest Catholic parish in Indianapolis started out as Holy Cross when the first regularly celebrated mass was held at a tavern in 1837 by Father Vincent Bacquelin. He built the first church, called Holy Cross Chapel in 1840. His patron saint was St. John the Evangelist. When it came time to build a new brick church in 1850, the new pastor changed the name to St. John The Evangelist to honor Father Bacquelin.
   The current building for this church was completed in 1871 with the twin spires added in 1893. It is located at the corner of Georgia and Capitol avenue. Parishioners started out small, at about 60, rose as high as 3000, and dropped down to 30 as residents moved to the suburbs. Today, the number of registered is 800 and the parish ministers to many visiting tourists in the downtown area. It is located just 3 blocks west of the Capitol.
   The story of Capitols and churches in Indianapolis consists of building a cross shaped Capitol in the center of the state and then starting a local church from a tavern a few blocks away. Almost 200 years later, these two staples of the community remain standing at the crossroads of America.