Eastern Star Church Drops St. Francis Demolition Plan
The church has withdrawn its demolition petition for the historic former St. Francis de Sales building.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Catholicism
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Eastern Star Church has officially withdrawn its petition to demolish the 113-year-old former St. Francis de Sales church building in Indianapolis. The decision follows a move by the Metropolitan Development Commission to postpone a vote regarding the site's historic designation.
Why it matters
The postponement allows all involved parties to complete a necessary building assessment for the former church site. This pause is intended to help reach a resolution between the owner, the city, and preservation advocates.
The former church building, constructed in 1913, has been a central part of the local landscape since the parish was established in 1881. Martin University later occupied the site starting in 1987 after the church closed in 1983.
The players
Eastern Star Church
This religious organization purchased the former Martin University campus in May 2026.
Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission
This municipal body oversees the preservation of historic structures and granted historic status to the church building.
Indiana Landmarks
This non-profit organization works to save and restore historic properties across the state.
Metropolitan Development Commission
This commission manages local land use and development planning and postponed the recent historic designation vote.
Martin University
This institution occupied the former church building from 1987 until the campus closed at the end of 2025.
The details
Eastern Star Church, which purchased the former Martin University campus in May 2026, is now collaborating with Indiana Landmarks and the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission. A contractor had previously filed a wrecking permit for the structure on August 7, 2026.
Timeline
1913: The current church building was constructed.
1983: St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church closed.
1987: Martin University moved into the building.
August 7, 2026: A contractor filed a wrecking permit for the church building.
November 18, 2026: The Metropolitan Development Commission is scheduled to hold a vote on historic designation.
Culture Shift
This move reflects a broader tension between repurposing aging institutional properties and the preservation of local architectural heritage. It underscores the influence that historic designation protections exert on urban redevelopment efforts in Indianapolis.
Residents in the area can expect continued preservation efforts as the city evaluates the future of the historic site. The postponement ensures that any future development will be subject to further public review and assessment.
The takeaway
The withdrawal of the demolition permit serves as a temporary reprieve that highlights the power of local historic oversight. Community members can monitor the November 18 commission meeting to see how the building assessment influences future land-use decisions.
What happens next
The Metropolitan Development Commission is scheduled to meet for a vote on the historic designation of the former church building on November 18, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on religious properties, visit the Catholicism section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mirror Indy.
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