Michigan City in LaPorte County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
St. Mary The Immaculate Conception
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, February 1, 2026
1. St. Mary The Immaculate Conception Marker
Parish formed 1 Nov 1867 by merger of St. Ambrose 1849 & St. Mary 1859. Built on site of 1st Catholic cemetery in area on land purchased 1852 by Bishop of Vincennes. Cemetery moved to Calvary 1868. Church architect John Renkawitz; F.X. Zettler stained glass windows, Germany; Alfonso lannelli designer limestone altar. Entire parish complex: church 1868, school 1886, rectory 1932, convent 1905, WWI monument 1921 listed 30 Sept 2014 on National Register of Historic Places as part of Haskell and Barker Historic District.
Erected by St. Mary, The Immaculate Conception Parish.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is November 1, 1852.
Location. 41° 42.648′ N, 86° 54.219′ W. Marker is in Michigan City, Indiana, in LaPorte County. It is at the intersection of West 10th Street and Buffalo Street, on the right when traveling east on West 10th Street. The marker stands on the grounds of the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 W 10th St, Michigan City IN 46360, United States of America.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northwest Indiana, specifically on the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan Shore, and in Greater South Bend. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, 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 Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Mary's Parish World War I Memorial and Honor Roll (a few steps from this marker); Haskell & Barker Historic District (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Barker Civic Center (approx. 0.3 miles away); Barker Mansion (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Haskell & Barker Historic District (approx. 0.3 miles away); From Freight Cars to Outlet Stores (approx. 0.4 miles away); Elston Grove Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Log Cabin in Michigan City (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Michigan City.
Regarding St. Mary The Immaculate Conception. St.
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, February 1, 2026
2. St. Mary, The Immaculate Conception Church
The marker is on the lower left side of the photo.
The Bishop of Vincennes mentioned in the marker was Jacques-Maurice De Saint Palais. He was bishop from 1848-1877. When the land was purchased in 1852, the entire state of Indiana was the Diocese of Vincennes. Today, the parish is in the Diocese of Gary, Indiana.
From the Statement of Significance in the application for the National Register of Historic Places designation:
St. Mary's Catholic Church, at 406 10th Street, is the oldest church building in the district. It was constructed in 1868 after two Catholic congregations merged. The congregation had previously met in a building on the southwest corner of Washington and 4th Streets. That building had been constructed in 1859. It became home to a Catholic school after the present building was constructed in 1868. It remained a school until a new school was constructed on the St. Mary's campus in 1886. The original Catholic church (on 4th and Washington) was razed in 1968. A convent, rectory, and Marquette School were added to the St. Mary's campus. Marquette School has expanded on the north side of 10th Street where classes continue to be held.
Also see . . .
1. About QAS. Official website of Queen of All Saints Parish Contains brief histories of both Queen of All Saints and St. Mary, The Immaculate Conception Parishes. (Submitted on February 1, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)
2. Haskell and Barker Historic District. Wikipedia entry:
Links to National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, which mentions the church, school, rectory, convent, and WWI memorial. (Submitted on February 5, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 82 times since then. Last updated on February 2, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 1, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
