Described as one of the finest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in the United States, the Scottish Rite Cathedral  runs adjacent to the Glick Peace walk on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Besides a 1,200 seat auditorium, among many other features, it even has a ballroom compete with a 200-light chandelier that weights in at over a ton. The cathedral’s central tower, which can be seen from many parts of the city, is 212 feet high and contains a 54-bell carillon which is still played manually by a “carillonneur.”

Despite its name and appearance, however, it is not a church and has never been one. While it is  a Masonic meeting hall intended for the ceremonies and rituals of Freemasonry, it is mostly used as a venue for weddings, theatrical performances,  corporate events, social gathering and other non-Masonic productions.

Guided tours are available Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

You can even enjoy a delicious lunch at their Double Eagle Cafe, open 11-2.

Materials used in building this uber iconic structure which is under insured at $120 million:

• 15 train carloads of Carpathian White Oak
• 12 train carloads of partition tile
• 8 train carloads of marble
• 120 train carloads of bricks (1,800,000 – the 1909 Indy 500 raceway used twice as many or  3.2 million bricks)
• 10,000 cubic yards concrete
• 4 train carloads of glazed tile
• 600 tons of reinforcing steel
• 500 tons structural steel

Scottish Rite website

Other posts about Indianapolis history Martin Krieg created as he wrote "How Indianapolis Built America" are at this link HERE