Diocese: Diocese of the Midwest
Deanery: Indianapolis Deanery
Address
1421 S Blaine Ave
Indianapolis, Indiana 46221
Mailing address:
1621 Howard St
Indianapolis, IN 46221-1623
Website: stjohn-indy.org
Office: 317-635-7596
Parish Contacts
Indianapolis, IN 46241
Lay Leadership
Indianapolis, IN 46221
Directions
From the east
Take I-70 west through downtown Indianapolis to Harding Street (Exit 78). Turn south (right) onto Harding St. You will pass through a major intersection (Morris St.) and go to the next stoplight (Howard St). Turn right and go 1 block. Turn left onto Blaine Ave. The church is about a half block south on the left.
From the west
Take I-70 east to Harding Street (Exit 78). Turn south (right) onto Harding St. You will pass through a major intersection (Morris St) and go to the next stoplight (Howard St). Turn right and go 1 block. Turn left onto Blaine Ave. The church is about a half block south on the left.
From the north
Take I-65 south through downtown Indianapolis to I-70 west. Go to Harding Street (Exit 78). Turn south (right) onto Harding St. You will pass through a major intersection (Morris St) and go to the next stoplight (Howard St). Turn right and go 1 block. Turn left onto Blaine Ave. The church is about a half block south on the left.
From the south via I-65
Take I-65 north to the south side of downtown Indianapolis. Merge onto I-70 west and go to Harding Street (Exit 78). Turn south (right) onto Harding St. You will pass through a major intersection (Morris St) and go to the next stoplight (Howard St). Turn right and go 1 block. Turn left onto Blaine Ave. The church is about a half block south on the left.
From the south via Highway 37
Take Highway 37 north to I-465 where it becomes Harding St. You will cross Raymond Ave and then Kentucky Ave. The Eli Lilly Technology Center will be on the right. Get into the left lane and turn left onto Howard St. Go 1 block and turn left onto Blaine Ave. The church is about a half block south on the left.
From the south via Highway 67
Take Highway 67 north to I-465 where it becomes Kentucky Ave. Continue on Kentucky Ave until it merges with Harding St by the Eli Lilly Technology Center. Turn left onto Harding St. Stay in the left lane and turn left onto Howard St. Go 1 block and turn left onto Blaine Ave. The church is about a half block south on the left.
Parking
Two parking lots are accessible from Blaine Ave. One is adjacent to the future parish hall building located at the corner of Blaine Ave and Howard St. The other is directly across the street from the church building. Another lot is located behind the church building and can be entered either next to the church from Blaine Ave or the alley behind the church.
Schedule of Services
6:00 PM Vespers followed by Confessions.
Saturday Evening
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy followed by Coffee time and Adult Discussion. Church School also is held after Liturgy from September through May.
Sunday Morning
6:00 PM Vespers followed by pitch-in meal.
Wednesday Evening
6:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
Wednesday, Friday Evenings in Great Lent
Please call the church at 317-635-7596 or go to our parish website for a schedule of other services.
Parish Background
This church community was formed in 1975. Our vision was inspired by the fellowship shared by the brethren in the early Church. In particular, the Acts of The Apostles served as a model as we sought to experience a deeper relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Most members were zealous young adults at that time. Early on many people moved into one of several apartment communities to allow for daily interaction with others from the Church. Later, this desire further manifested itself as many began to purchase homes in close proximity to one another.
Our congregation possessed no property for several years. We met in basements, living rooms, hotel meeting rooms, a warehouse and rooms in the Indiana Convention Center. Eventually, a Methodist Church building became available in the neighborhood where many members had chosen to live. This building is our current home.
Many transformations have taken place since 1975. These include entrance into the New Covenant Apostolic Order which later became the Evangelical Orthodox Church (EOC). In the EOC, Fr. Peter Gillquist, Fr. Jack Sparks, Fr. Jon Braun, Fr. Gordon Walker and others introduced us to the writings of Early Church Fathers and Orthodoxy. In 1988, these men and a number of EOC churches entered into the Antiochian Orthodox Church. For a variety of reasons our congregation chose not to enter the Orthodox Church at that time.
Thankfully, God has honored our zeal and desire to know Him. He has sustained us through the intervening years and gently guided us on our path to a deeper understanding of Orthodox theology and practice.
In 2001, God opened the doors for us to pursue entrance into the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). His Grace, Bishop JOB was very kind in his initial meetings with us. In February of 2002 we were received as catechumens. His Grace, Bishop JOB provided catechetical studies for us with the help of clergy from the Columbus, OH deanery and Indianapolis-area Orthodox clergy from the OCA and other jurisdictions. His Grace, Bishop JOB received our community as St. John the Forerunner Orthodox Church through the Sacrament of Chrismation on July 10, 2002.
We arrived at Orthodoxy by way of a long and sometimes arduous journey. Yet, we look forward to continued growth and a journey that will continue to deepen our faith.