Madison in Jefferson County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
St. Michael the Archangel
St. Michael Catholic Church from 1839-1993
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2022
1. St. Michael the Archangel Marker
It is the second oldest structure built as a Catholic church in the state.
Fr. Michael Shawe was sent to Madison to establish a Catholic parish. He raised the needed funds and oversaw construction. He celebrated the first mass in St. Michael's December 22, 1839. It was in continual use as a church until the Archdiocese of Indianapolis closed it in 1993, during parish consolidation. It was then donated to Historic Madison, Inc.
Francis Costigan, architect and master builder, was a member of the church and may have influenced its design. A rare design feature is the placement of the steeple at the rear of the building.
The Convent (c. 1906) The brick building to the right of the church was built as the residence for the sisters who taught in St. Michael School. It is now a private residence.
The Rectory (c. 1860) The stone building to the left of the bell tower was built as the priests' residence. Built of stuccoed rubble stone, it has a brick cornice and a fully exposed basement on the south. The former rectory has been rehabilitated
this page online
The School (1905-1979) The school was located where the parking lot is to the west of the church and rectory. The first school for boys was held in the basement of the church in 1843.
Caption: St. Michael the Archangel c. 1870
Erected by Historic Madison, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.
Location. 38° 44.255′ N, 85° 22.389′ W. Marker is in Madison, Indiana, in Jefferson County. It is at the intersection of East 3rd Street and St. Michaels Avenue, on the left when traveling east on East 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 509 E 3rd St, Madison IN 47250, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2022
2. St. Michael the Archangel Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Settling of Madison (a few steps from this marker); Little Jimmy (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); This Shell Fired into Vicksburg (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jefferson County (Indiana ) Civil War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Samuel Woodfill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jefferson County Courthouse / Madison's Commercial District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Replica of The Statue of Liberty (approx. Ό mile away); Jefferson County Honor Roll (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.
Other markers no longer nearby. Samuel Woodfill (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed); Jefferson County War Memorial (was approx. Ό mile away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . .
1. St. Michael the Archangel Church, Madison. Wikipedia entry contains a brief history of the church and the development of Catholicism in Madison. (Submitted on September 26, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. St. Michael the Archangel Owned by HMI. For more information on the care of St. Michael's today, check out the HMI website.
Inspired by heaven and hewn from the earth, St. Michaels unique design embodies the dreams of immigrants for a better life now and in the world to come.(Submitted on February 20, 2025, by Jessica Spiess of Madison, Indiana.)
Simon William Gabriel Brutι de Rιmur, bishop of the Vincennes diocese, authorized the founding of a parish in Madison in 1837. He appointed Father Michael E. Shawe as the first resident pastor, and St. Michael the Archangel's first mass was held on December 22, 1839.
Local legend has it that the church was built from the stone cut for the railroad incline on the west end of Madison since many of the early parishioners were Irish immigrants working on the railroad. There is, however, an old quarry above the church that may prove a more likely source.
St. Michael's is one of the oldest buildings used as a Catholic church in the state and the oldest gothic-revival style building in Indiana. The pointed-arched windows are a key component of this style of architecture. Inside the building, the ceiling is a rare ogee-arch open book ceiling, symbolizing the word of God as an open bible and showcasing the Gothic Revival style.
In 1865, the church's nave was extended 30 feet to the north. As the church was built on a slope, most of the addition was under grade, with the stained glass window in the apse being just inches above grade.
The building also houses an 1895 organ, numerous beautiful statues, and many paintings.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 820 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 26, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
