West Central in Fort Wayne in Allen County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Cathedral of Immaculate Conception

Photographed By Autumn N. Potts, July 19, 2011

1. Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Marker

Inscription.
Oldest church structure in continuous use in Fort Wayne area and seat of Catholicism in northern Indiana.

Christianity carried to this part of the New World in 1600's by Catholic missionaries. Land formerly part of burial ground for Miami Indians.

Major portion of Cathedral square purchased by Fr. Stephan Badin, 1831. Remaining land acquired by Fr. Julian Benoit, chief architect and first rector of the Cathedral.

Cornerstone laid June 19, 1859. Dedicated December 8, 1860 on the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Diocese of Fort Wayne established 1857. John H. Luers, First Bishop.

Erected on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Diocese

Erected 1982.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Native Americans. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1772.

Location. 41° 4.541′ N, 85° 8.295′ W. Marker is in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in Allen County. It is in West Central. Marker is on Clinton Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1122 South Clinton Street, Fort Wayne IN 46802, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Mother Theodore Guerin (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Richardville (within shouting distance of this marker); Emboyd Theatre (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Embassy Theater (about 400 feet away); Indiana Hotel (about 500 feet away); Schmitz Block (about 600 feet away); Fort Wayne Printing Building (about 700 feet away); St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Wayne.

Also see . . . A Brief History of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Fort Wayne History Center website entry (Submitted on August 9, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Cathedral of Immaculate Conception image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Autumn N. Potts, July 20, 2011

2. Cathedral of Immaculate Conception

Photographed By Autumn N. Potts, July 19, 2011

3. Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Marker

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 21, 2011

4. Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Marker

View of the historical marker looking north along South Calhoun Street.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 21, 2011

5. Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Marker

View of the historical marker situated along the walkway leading to the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 21, 2011

6. Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Marker

View of the historical marker situated in front of the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 23, 2023

7. Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Marker

Marker has been replaced; text is the same.

Photographed By Craig Doda, May 1, 2022

8. Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2011, by Autumn N. Potts of Fort Wayne, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,171 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 25, 2011, by Autumn N. Potts of Fort Wayne, Indiana. 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 24, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 7. submitted on August 22, 2023, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 8. submitted on May 2, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.