Our Story

Redeemer Presbyterian Church grew out of a desire among Christians in urban Indianapolis for the Gospel to impact all aspects of the community they loved. Twenty years after this start, we can look back and see how God has grown this congregation to participate in the growth of his kingdom and the revitalization of urban Indianapolis.

When Redeemer began in 1998, it drew its congregation primarily from the surrounding urban neighborhoods. And so, the early founders of Redeemer placed a large emphasis on their Urban Calling. This has developed as part of Redeemer's identity, and as we have expanded to have attendees from all over Indianapolis, we begin to understand what it means to live out the Gospel where we are. We believe our calling is to bring everything we are (our intellect, organization, creativity, spreadsheets, songs, education, mechanical ability, tender spirit) into every situation and look to the Lord for what he wants us to bring there. That means our work, school, home, studio, dog walk route, apartment complex, and bus commute all need our full attentiveness as to how we can be ambassadors of a heavenly kingdom here on earth.

At Redeemer Presbyterian, we are…

  • If you hang around for a short time you will notice how we say almost every week that we are a “community of broken people.” We hope that you will be intrigued and encouraged by this language because we want you to feel safe enough to be broken too. Our courage to boast in our brokenness comes only from the fact that Redeemer is a community of grace. That means that the good news of God’s grace to us in Jesus Christ is our primary identity: not our well-balanced lives, not our family pedigree, not our academic or work résumés or our moral “togetherness.” God’s grace alone binds us together! God’s grace trumps our secondary identities: political affiliation, gender, race, socio-economic status, and psychological affinity. God’s grace teaches us to dare to be the broken people we are. Because we are loved and accepted by God through Jesus, we can dare to be real about our struggles, sadnesses, and sins.

  • We come to worship expectantly: we expect to experience the presence of God in the “thin place” between Heaven and earth which is worship. In this “thin place” we are called to worship, confess our sins, sing songs of praise, listen to the reading and preaching of God’s word, and celebrate our communion in Christ and with each other through the Lord’s Supper. Redeemer’s worship is open to everyone. It is open to sinners, the wounded and hurting, the excluded and poor, the moral trainwrecks; in other words, those in need of a Savior. We are designed to know and love God. Worship invites us back into the deep rest of being beloved sons and daughters of God. It renews our commitment to love our friends, family, and neighbors, and to serve the common good of our city.

  • From our historic multi-use facility (including 30 artist, the Harrison Center, ArtMix), to our members’ involvement in our city’s schools, cultural institutions, and neighborhood development, Redeemer is a community in the city for the city. We truly love Indianapolis and want to serve the city in which we live. Our heart is to equip and release our members to seek the common good of our city and to see new communities of grace planted in neighborhoods all over Indianapolis. 

Timeline

1823

First Presbyterian Church was founded in downtown Indianapolis

1901

Elder and former US President Benjamin Harrison laid the cornerstone of the final First Presbyterian Church building

1970s

1970

First Presbyterian closes, building becomes a community center

1972

Angel of the Resurrection (Tiffany Studios stained glass window) donated to Newfields, the Indianapolis Art Museum

1990s

1996

Home Bible study begins dreaming and praying about a downtown church

1997

Ohio Valley Presbytery forms commission to guide downtown church plant while core group meets in homes

1998

Chris Yates was called as “evangelist” to serve as the planting pastor

1999

First Sunday worship service held

2000s

2000

Local philanthropist purchases vacant First Presbyterian building and launches the Harrison Centre, with Redeemer as its first tenant

2001

  • Chris Yates resigns to pastor a church in Houston

  • September-Historic sanctuary rededication service

  • Redeemer congregation purchases the historic First Presbyterian building

  • Jason Dorsey begins ministry as last evangelist and first pastor

2003

  • Redeemer becomes “particular” church, ordains first three elders

  • The Harrison Center for the Arts incorporated as supporting organization

2005

  • Repurpose capital campaign raises over $800,000 for essential repairs and sanctuary upgrades

  • Second congregation launched as the New Deal (later The Crossing) that meets for several years

2009

Second Sunday morning service launched to accommodate growth

2010s

The Hickman Family (2013)

The Hinkle Family (2015)

The Anderson Family (2017)

2013

Fountain Square Presbyterian begins Sunday services as a site of Redeemer

2015

Lee & Shannon Hinkle sent out to church plant in Perth, Australia

2016

Redeemer seeks a Lead Pastor to lead the congregation

2017

Charles Anderson called as the new Lead Pastor

2018

Building mortgage paid off; commitment to invest in church planting

2020s

2022

  • Fountain Square Presbyterian becomes a “particular” church

  • Women’s Shepherding Team commissioned and begins to serve alongside Session

2024

Ben & Neva Hein and their core group sent out to plant a church on the Near Westside.