Historic Churches of Downtown Evansville
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Description
A walking tour of 12 different historic churches in downtown Evansville, and their stories throughout the years.
1. First Old Baptist Church
Old First Baptist Church, located in Downtown Evansville, Indiana on the corner of 3rd and Cherry Street. From 1867-1868 Old First Baptist Church was built with a Gothic Revival Style designed by architect Henry Mursinna. Before the church relocated to the corner of 3rd and Cherry St. it had a prior location at the corner of Centre and Clark St. On March 18th, 1868, Old First Baptist Church officially moved to the corner of 3rd and Cherry Street.
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2. Walnut Street Presbyterian
Walnut Street Presbyterian Church has some of the longest religious history in Evansville. It gets its roots from the first church in Evansville, “Little Church on the Hill,” or the “Little Brick Church.” It was initially founded by Rev. Calvin Butler in 1832 and was non-denominational. However, by 1836, most of the denominations had found a new home, and the Presbyterian church officially had its own place of worship. Thirty years later, the congregation would move locations to the Walnut Street Presbyterian church in 1868. In 1926, the two Presbyterian churches (Walnut Street and Grace Presbyterian) merged to form First Presbyterian Church, which can be found on SE 2nd Street. After Walnut Street, Presbyterian left the historic church, and First Christian Church moved in. In 1948, the old landmark church had to be rebuilt after a devastating fire flattened it. Now, the building is a gathering church and has been since 2012.
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3. Old Assumption Catholic Church
Old Assumption Catholic Church was the first catholic church in Evansville and one of the oldest of all denominations. It was founded by Rev. Father Anthoney Deydier, a French man working in Vincennes. Father Deydier took many trips east to New England to raise funds for the church since Evansville had not yet fully developed as a city. Once enough funds were raised (nearly $1,200), the cornerstone was laid, and the church opened in 1841. After 30 years, the church was sold to Mr. Charles Viele in 1871 for about $52,000 and was soon turned into a temperance hall, and the parish would move to the new location on 7th and Sycamore Street. In 1889, it was razed, and in its place, the BMA or Business Men’s Association. Now stands the Fith-Third bank parking garage, which was built in 1981.
4. Holy Trinity School
The Holy Trinity School was the children's catholic school stemming from the Holy Trinity Church that sat directly next to the school. The school was an obvious catholic school and was exclusive to the catholic church goers of the Holy Trinity Church group. The population first branched off of the German American population in Evansville. The school was built in 1869, close to a decade after the church was built. Once the fire of 1950 took the church out of order the school was used as a place of worship until 1958 when the two were both razed, and the new Holy Trinity Church was built in the place of both. The corner in which the school had previously sat is now the current location of the Holy Trinity Church parking lot.
5. Holy Trinity Church
The Holy Trinity Church is the remaining branch of the Old Assumption Church from the mid 19th century. The Holy Trinity Church was built in 1848 but was officially established in 1849 and opened its doors in 1851 to the public for first mass. The church was established on the basis of the previous church goers who was a large part of the German American population in Evansville. The church was a large attraction for the city of Evansville and the beautiful structure stood tall and angelic unit the fire of 1950. After 100 years the church was torn down and another structure took its place to be what we can see now, Holy Trinity Church of Evansville.
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6. German Methodist Episcopal Church
The German Methodist Episcopal Church was first established on November 10th, 1876. But before this they were in a different location closer to the river in downtown Evansville in 1846. In 1917 they changed their name to 4th ME German Church due to location change. Then about 20 years later, German ME Church leaves and combines with Bayard Park ME. The last church service was on Palm Sunday on March 1937. Approximately one year later Bayard Park ME and German ME Church gets reformed into the courthouse annex of Evansville.
7. Salem Evangelical Church
Salem Evangelical Church located at 728 Court St. Evansville, Indiana was one of Evansville's first German-speaking churches and the first Evangelical church. The church itself was built and dedicated to Salem Evangelical in 1853 and the building itself had a long life up until 1977. The significance of Salem Evangelical is directly responsive to Evansville's religions and culture.
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8. Assumption Catholic Church
New Assumption Catholic Church was built in 1871 and became the offical church of Assumption Catholic parish moving from the old location. The new building was founded by Father Patrick McDermott and Father Roman Weinzapfle after the old church was growing old and they needed upgrade the capacity to fit the growing demand. The church functioned as normal for almost 100 years up until it was razed in 1965 for the building of the civic center.
9. St. Mary's Catholic Church
Built in 1867 on Cherry Street in downtown Evansville. It is known as being the oldest catholic building in Evansville. The design was based on gothic architecture. There is one tall tower on top of the church that resembles moving up towards heaven. It was built along the river due to the growing immigrant communities.
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10. St. Mary's Catholic School
The school was built in 1866 before the Catholic Church. It was the temporary chapel before the church was complete. It then became a boys’ school when a new school was built in 1871 and had completely closed its doors in 1970. Several students had been regularly attending the school during this time.
11. Liberty Baptist Church
Built in 1880 on the corner of Oak Street and 7th Street in downtown Evansville. In 1886 a tornado destroyed the church, but they rebuilt it, and it was completed in 1887. In 1959, they decided to add an education wing to the church. The church has a Gothic style and provides services to former slaves in the Evansville area. Liberty Baptist is the oldest black congregation in Evansville.
