 In 1850 it was renamed Saint John the Evangelist parish, and is the oldest Catholic parish in the city and in Marion County, Indiana.Considered the mother of the Catholic parishes in Indianapolis, it played an important role in development of the Catholic Church in the city.Saint John's Church served as the pro-cathedral of the diocese from 1878 until 1906; its rectory served as the bishop's residence and chancery from 1878 until 1892.