Cyrus Place, formerly known as The Lockerbie Square United Methodist Church is an historic church that tells the tale of Lockerbie Square – one of the oldest neighborhoods in the United States. It stands boldly with gorgeous architectural features that hark back to the 19th century – an era that could not have been more important in American history. Now, this stunning space hosts a roster of Candlelight concerts that are truly unmissable.
Lockerbie Square is one of Indianapolis’ most iconic neighborhoods due to the variety of architectural styles at which you can marvel. Cyrus Place is an example of Gothic Revival architecture but you can also see what ‘shotgun houses’ that are still standing and incredibly rare – one room wide and three rooms deep. Cyrus Place sits right in the heart of the city on East New York Street, surrounded by bus stops and parking lots so it’s very easy to get to.
Facts, curiosities, and interesting things about Cyrus Place.
1. A slice of Indianapolis’ history.
Cyrus Place, formerly The Lockerbie Square United Methodist Church, is one of the oldest churches in Indiana. It was erected in 1847, just 31 years after Indianapolis became a US state. It was an incredibly important era in the state’s history. The Wabash and Eerie Canals had just been constructed years earlier which really made trade in the state flourish. The Underground Railroad was passing through the state and the women’s suffrage movement was beginning to fight for the vote. Times were changing.
2. Gorgeous Gothic Revival architecture.
The church is a stunning sight. With curved windows and intricate stonework, it’s a perfect example of Gothic Revival architecture. It’s a little slice of Germany in Indianapolis – inspired by the breathtaking churches of the country. Take a stroll around the church to take in the brickwork and beautiful arched windows.
3. Surrounded by architectural gems.
Cyrus Place is not the only place in the neighborhood worth visiting. The whole area is an absolute treasure trove of curiosities. The Lockerbie Square Historic District was established in the 1970s to preserve the area and you can see here architectural styles that are very, very rare in the United States. Whilst buildings are being bulldozed across the US to make way for high-rise apartments, you can still find 19th-century houses sitting atop the cobblestoned streets. In fact, there’s one right next door to Cyrus Place.
Candlelight concerts at Cyrus Place.
Cyrus Place hosts the most magical Candlelight concerts where the glow of hundreds of flickering candles envelopes the place as talented musicians play. There’s a concert to suit everyone, from tributes to sensational pop band ABBA to soul-stirring renditions of Vivaldi compositions. These gorgeous Candlelight concerts make for a fantastic gift too and the ambiance created by the venue, candles, and music makes them a great option for a date night that’s truly special.
What else can you do at Cyrus Place?
Cyrus Place hosts a huge amount of incredible events and in fact, it’s so gorgeous that it even hosts weddings! It’s very easy to get to, with the bus stopping right in front of the venue and parking directly behind, and before, or even after, you experience a Candlelight concert, you can explore the area which is well known for its restaurants, boutiques and much more. Take a walk around the area to see architecture that you won’t see anywhere else and then visit one of the delicious restaurants close by like Mesh on Mass, serving mouthwatering surf and turf and many more tasty spots.
Cyrus Place is for sure one of the most iconic buildings in the city and it’s not the only spot in Indianapolis where you can catch a gorgeous Candlelight concert! Beautiful venues like The Black Iris Estate and Scottish Rite Cathedral also host these atmospheric events. As candles flicker and musicians play tributes to famous artists and composers, these spots really come alive.