Heritage Walk to celebrate history of
south side parishes
By John Shaughnessy
The walk kept taking Jack Price deeper into his past—deeper into the remarkable role that the near-south side Catholic parishes of Indianapolis have played in the history of the archdiocese and the city.
As he walked with his wife, Bernie, Jack Price stopped at St. Patrick Church, the setting that became home to waves of Irish immigrants for decades, the place where Hispanic immigrants now come to worship and seek help in making the adjustment to life in America.
The couple also visited Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, where German immigrants worshiped. And they made a stop at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church, the first religious home of many Italian immigrants whose descendants still showcase their food, traditions and rituals in an annual festival that has become one of the city’s best ethnic celebrations.
More personally, the walk returned Price to his past and present. The couple strolled through their own parish—Good Shepherd—and the neighborhoods that once were anchored by St. Catherine of Sienna Church, which was closed in the early 1990s.
“Growing up, I heard about St. Catherine’s all the time,” said Price, 55. “My great-grandparents were married there, and my grandparents were married there. And my father grew up in the parish. My roots are there.”
Price believes the roots of many people in the archdiocese and the city are entrenched in these near-south side parishes. So he’s developed a plan to celebrate their histories—the South Side Catholic Heritage Walk.
Set for Sept. 30, the walk will be a pilgrimage of the Catholic communities that have provided faith, hope and assistance to south side residents ever since the 1865 founding of St. Patrick Parish.
Price hopes that many people with near-south side roots will return for the walk through the areas where they went to school, grew up, were married and started their families. He hopes they will remember the special place those parishes had and have in their faith and their lives.
“Our society has changed so much,” he said. “Things are so spread out now. The fact that people could walk to school and church just made such a difference. Just being near to people, places and things helped establish relationships and created community. The fact that the parishes were so close also helped. When I talk to people from my parents’ and grandparents’ generations, they have some sort of connection or they’ll know families from other parishes.”
When Bernie and Jack Price first made the walk a year ago, they were struck by the physical presence the churches had in relation to other buildings in the area.
“They’re larger than most of the buildings,” Jack Price said. “They stand out. The facades are impressive. They play a big role in some of the ways people see the neighborhoods and the community.”
The entire walk is about seven miles, but Price said the distance shouldn’t discourage anyone from participating in the pilgrimage. Rest stops and nurses will be available along the trail. Vans will also provide transportation for anyone who can’t walk or finish the route.
“I think it’s a great idea to bring attention to this part of Indianapolis,” said Joanna Weiler, a member of Good Shepherd Parish. “There’s so much history here.”
Weiler’s personal history is connected to the south side, too. She grew up near Garfield Park. Her husband, Dale, graduated from St. Catherine of Sienna School. They were married at St. Catherine Church 40 years ago and lived in that parish a long time.
“The area is just part of the fabric of both of our lives,” she said.
Price hopes that people see that thread that connects the parishes and their lives.
“People have moved out, but parents and grandparents have stayed in the parishes,” he said. “I think it would be interesting for parents to invite their children and grandparents to the event. I would like to see parents share their stories with their children and grandchildren about where they grew up. Family is so important to the Church.” †
