If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic near the corner of 16th and Lynhurst during a race weekend, you’ve seen it. St Christopher Church Speedway Indiana sits right in the thick of things. It’s a landmark that most people associate with the roar of the Indy 500 or the massive Mid-Summer Festival that takes over the neighborhood every July. But honestly? There is so much more to this parish than just being the place with the "Festival That’s Tops in Food."
You might think it’s just another suburban Catholic church. It isn't.
Founded back in 1937 by Father Leo Lindeman, the parish started with just 201 people. Back then, Speedway was a quiet little town. Can you even imagine that? Today, that same intersection is one of the busiest spots on the west side of Indianapolis. The church has survived lightning strikes, a weirdly specific chandelier fire, and decades of shifting demographics. It’s basically the spiritual heartbeat of a town that revolves around speed.
The St Christopher Church Speedway Indiana Festival Legend
Ask anyone in Marion County about St. Chris, and they’ll mention the fish. Specifically, the hand-battered fish sandwiches. Since July 10, 1941, the Mid-Summer Festival has been a staple. It's actually one of the oldest festivals in the entire state of Indiana.
Every July, the parish grounds turn into a massive carnival. We're talking two tons of fish. That’s roughly 15,000 sandwiches served over three days. It’s wild. The recipes for the pork barbecue and the coney sauce haven't changed since the 1940s. Most churches hire catering companies for this kind of thing now, but St. Chris still does it in-house. It takes over 1,000 volunteers to pull it off.
It’s the fourth largest annual event in Speedway. That says a lot considering this town hosts the biggest race in the world.
Beyond the Fried Fish
While the festival pays the bills and keeps the lights on, the daily life of St Christopher Church Speedway Indiana is much quieter. It’s a place for "peace and refreshment" in the middle of the city hustle. The current church structure is modernized and huge—seating around 1,450 people—but it still feels intimate.
The community has grown to over 1,900 households. That’s roughly 6,500 individuals.
One thing people often miss is the outreach. They run a food pantry that serves the Westside, and while some online reviewers have joked it could use more "organization," the sheer volume of people they help is staggering. They also have a Substance Addiction Ministry (SAM) and a "55 and Over" group that is actually very active. It’s not just a Sunday-morning-only kind of place.
Why Race Weekend Changes Everything
Living near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway means you live by a different calendar. At St. Christopher, the liturgical schedule literally bends for the 500.
During the big race weekend in May, things get interesting:
- Saturday Mass: Usually held at 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm.
- Sunday (Race Day): There are actually no Masses on Sunday morning.
- The Traffic Factor: If you aren't within walking distance, you basically can't get there anyway once the gates open at the track.
This is a rare example of a Catholic parish officially suspending Sunday services because of a local sporting event. It's practical. It's Speedway.
The Resilience Factor: Lightning and Exploding Bulbs
St. Chris has a bit of a "trial by fire" history. Literally.
On July 8, 2001, lightning hit the roof during a 6:00 pm Mass. The damage was so bad the building had to close for months. Then, in June 2012, something even weirder happened. A small bulb in a chandelier overheated and exploded. It caused the ceiling light to melt, which then set the hymnals and pews on fire.
Thankfully, the church was empty at the time. The Speedway fire station is right across the street, so they put it out fast. But the water damage was insane—over 600 gallons had to be sucked out of the building.
Parishioners had to move back into the old church (the school gym) for a while. Father Michael Welch, who was the pastor for a long time, famously said, "We’ve gone through this once before. We just came back better and stronger." That's the vibe there. They don't give up.
The School and Modern Life
St. Christopher School has been around since 1949. It's small, which means the teachers actually know the kids' names. They coordinate special education with the Speedway district, which is a nice bridge between the private and public sectors.
In 2026, the campus is still seeing updates. Wurster Construction recently handled some major campus enhancements—about 36,600 square feet of improvements. It’s clear they aren't just coasting on history.
What You Should Actually Do
If you’re planning to visit or are new to the area, don't just show up on a random Sunday and expect a quiet parking lot. Check the race schedule first.
Pro-tip for the Food Pantry: It’s a vital resource for the west side, but it operates on specific hours. Don't just drop off bags of cans on the porch; check the parish bulletin or website for the Saint Vincent de Paul intake times.
The Festival: If you want that famous fish, go early. The lines at the Mid-Summer Festival are legendary, and they will run out of certain items by Saturday night.
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Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Liturgy Schedule: Regular Sunday times are 8:00 am, 10:30 am, and 12:30 pm, but always verify on their "Liturgy Schedule" page if it’s a race weekend.
- Volunteer: If you want to meet people, sign up for the festival via
indyfestival.com. They always need more hands for the Monte Carlo games or the fish fry. - Support the Pantry: Monetary donations to the St. Vincent de Paul society at the parish often go further than a few cans of beans because they can buy in bulk.
St Christopher Church Speedway Indiana isn't just a building by the track; it's a survivor that keeps the old-school Speedway spirit alive even as the world around it gets faster.