A POWERFUL TOOL FOR MINISTRY - St. Paul’s Indy Opens Wide Its Doors
Educate to Advocate Symposium (April 12, 2025) A symposium on immigration initiated by the student leaders of Puentes, focusing on U.S. immigration education and community justice.
By the Church Buildings for Collaborative Partnerships project (CBCP) of the Episcopal Dioceses of Indianapolis and Northern Indiana – 2026
The impressive Gothic structure of St. Paul’s Indy on North Meridian Street is quite a building, but the people of St. Paul’s believe it is also a powerful tool for ministry. More people are entering those stately doors these days because of an intentional commitment to “extend generous hospitality and practice a radical commitment to inclusion, ensuring that all who enter find a place of belonging, safety, and support.”
The desire to do so was enhanced by St. Paul’s participation in Phase 1 of the Church Buildings for Collaborative Partnerships project (CBCP). Senior Director of Operations, Dan Thompson, credits CBCP with inspiring St. Paul’s to invite neighbors and others from the community who the church had worked with before. They toured the church, looking at spaces for meetings, performances, classes, and even the kitchen, and learned St. Paul’s was ready to forge or expand partnerships using its property.
Today, more than 40 organizations utilize space at St. Paul’s, including four enterprises that lease shared space in the church kitchen – a food truck, a biscotti baker, and two caterers. Rooms are regularly used by Neighborhood Associations, nonprofits needing board meeting and event space.
Some caroling members of the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus
One meaningful collaborative partnership is St. Paul’s ongoing relationship with the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus (IMC). Over the past several years, IMC has called St. Paul’s home for rehearsals and for their administrative offices, deepening a partnership rooted in music, hospitality, and shared values. They have generously led music for St. Paul’s 9 a.m. worship services, shared their voices during Christmas and seasonal celebrations, and performed concerts in the sanctuary for the wider community.
IMC’s Executive Director, Stephen McCoy, recently reflected on this relationship, writing:
“St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has been more than a place of rehearsal for the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus — it has been a home of unwavering support, generosity, and community. As an LGBTQ+ affirming church, their commitment to inclusion and the arts has provided us with a safe and welcoming space to lift our voices in song and in advocacy. Because of St. Paul’s, we continue to grow, thrive, and expand our impact across central Indiana, using music to inspire, uplift, and foster belonging.”
St. Paul’s Indy is also home to Mujeres Conectadas, which rents church space for educational workshops, meetings and events, connecting Spanish speaking women with resources and tools for personal development.
All this activity is wonderful, and resource-consuming when it comes to staff time, budgeting and coordination. St. Paul’s Indy has invested in security upgrades and scheduling software for online reservations, and additional snow removal and cleaning services.
Representatives of St. Paul’s meet annually with The Church Insurance Companies (CIAC) to review policies and space use agreements so the church is adequately protected.
Dan Thompson believes the relationships and partnerships exemplify how the building is a powerful tool for ministry, creating moments of connection and care that extend well beyond Sunday mornings. The shared uses of the property reflect St. Paul’s Indy’s call to welcome, serve, and make room for the flourishing of the wider community.
(NOTE: More information about insurance and tax liability considerations that come with space use partnerships, review the Preparing to Share and Policy, Pricing and Procedures Tool Kits on the CBCP website).
For more information contact:
Dan Thompson, dthompson@stpaulsindy.org
Or info@cbcpindiana.org