The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are a community of vowed Catholic women religious. Inspired by our foundress Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, we are passionate about our lives of prayer, education, service and advocacy.
Reconnect or find new opportunities with the Providence Community. Volunteer in one of our many ministries, be an intern on the farm, explore job opportunities or reminisce about your alma mater.
Live joyfully! Single, Catholic women ages 18-42 are invited to explore a fulfilling life as a Sister of Providence. All women and men of faith are invited to join the family of Providence as Providence Associates.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods is dedicated to Mary under the title of Immaculate Conception.
History of the church
The Church of the Immaculate Conception, consecrated in 1907, is a majestic limestone structure filled with beautiful paintings, stained glass, sculpture and art. Construction of the church began in 1886 with the laying of the cornerstone. D.A. Bohlen and Son of Indianapolis, architects, completed the exterior of the Indiana limestone building in 1891. By June 1892, plastering had been done and the installation of a temporary wooden floor, seats and altars permitted the sisters to worship in the Italian Renaissance style edifice. It would be another sixteen years to complete the interior of the church.
In 1902, the General Council, under the leadership of General Superior Mother Mary Cleophas Foley, focused its attention on the interior decoration of the church. Mother Mary Cleophas and General Councilor Sister Mary Alma O’Donald visited numerous churches in Europe, gathering many ideas for their church nestled in the Woods. Inspired by their travels, the two sisters returned home and soon artisans and craftsmen were employed to transform the church from a building to a truly sacred place of worship.Religious dignitaries, including Bishop Francis Silas Chatard, and guests poured into the church Oct. 23, 1907, when it was consecrated.
Art in the church
Thaddeus von Zukoynski painted all of the paintings in the church. He was Polish and graduated from the Academy of Arts in Munich, Germany. There are four major paintings. In the semi-dome in the front section of the church is a painting of The Immaculate Conception and the four Evangelists. There is a painting of The Ascension of Our Lord on the ceiling above the main seating area. The two other paintings located near the front of the church are The Return from Calvary and The Flight into Egypt.
Stained glass windows can be seen on each side of the church. They were made by the Bavarian Art Institute of Munich, Germany. They portray events of Christ and his mother Mary, as well as scenes from the Old Testament. The stained glass windows in the upper balcony display scenes of angels.
Some of the first items installed in the church were the Stations of the Cross. They were made in Munich, Germany.
The church is the home of an organ purchased from William Schuelke Church Organ Builder of Milwaukee.
Appearing to rise from the crucifix, the figure of Jesus is located up high at the front. Harry Breen of Champaign, Illinois, sculpted it and it was installed in 1991.
Renovation
One hundred years after the laying of the cornerstone, the church underwent a transformation not only to conform with the liturgical norms of the Second Vatican Council, but also to strengthen the floor joists. As with the building of the church, this renovation was accomplished with the monetary assistance of many donors.
Since the church is made of Indiana limestone, it has stayed sturdy and beautiful for over a century. The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
Located up high at the front of the church, the crucifix was sculpted by Harry Breen of Champaign, Illinois. The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
Metal grates like this one are found raised on either side of the altar. Originally, the rooms behind them were used for infirm sisters to attend Mass without leaving their residences. The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
The shiny marble floor acts almost like a mirror. The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
This statue of an archangel is on the south side of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, is the home of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is framed by fiery orange leaves in October 2009. The Church is the central place of worship for the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Its beautiful stained glass windows were made by the Bavarian Art Institute of Munich, Germany.
Pews in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the chapel for the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is framed by fiery orange leaves in October 2009. The Church is the central place of worship for the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Now on the ceiling of the church, the painting was originally done by Thaddeus von Zukotynski on canvas pieces which were then installed on the ceiling.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
This painting in the semi-dome of the Church of the Immaculate Conception was done by Tadeusz Żukotyński (or Thaddeus von Zukotynski). It is a fresco that took Żukotyński three months to complete. It represents the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She stands on a globe supported by clouds with Saint Michael and Saint Gabriel on either side.
These intricate doors open to the Tabernacle at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the chapel for the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
On the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
This statue of Mary is above the front entrance of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, is the home of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Its beautiful stained glass windows were made by the Bavarian Art Institute of Munich, Germany.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, home of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
This plaster seal is high above the altar. The letters on it refer to Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
Nearly every surface of the Church is covered with intricate raised scrollwork. The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, is the home of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Its beautiful windows were made by the Bavarian Art Institute of Munich, Germany. This window tells the story of the marriage of Mary and Joseph.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Its beautiful stained glass windows were made by the Bavarian Art Institute of Munich, Germany.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Its beautiful stained glass windows were made by the Bavarian Art Institute of Munich, Germany.
Located up high at the front of the church, the crucifix was sculpted by Harry Breen of Champaign, Illinois. The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
Marble in the church comes from Italy, Africa, Skyros, Greece and the United States. The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
The interior of the church utilizes soft rose colors. The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception, on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
This angel stands to the left of the tabernacle in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the chapel of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Its beautiful windows were made by the Bavarian Art Institute of Munich, Germany.
Our Lady of the Campus statue next to the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, home of the Sisters of Providence.
The Tabernacle in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the chapel of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
When not bustling with visitors, the Church of the Immaculate Conception provides a quiet place for Saint Mother Theodore Guerin to rest.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is framed by fiery orange leaves in October 2009. The Church is the central place of worship for the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
The tabernacle in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the chapel of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is framed by fiery orange leaves in October 2009. The Church is the central place of worship for the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Its beautiful stained glass windows were made by the Bavarian Art Institute of Munich, Germany.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Its beautiful windows were made by the Bavarian Art Institute of Munich, Germany.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
This peace pole, with messages of peace in four different languages covering the faces, is outside the front entrance of the church of the Immaculate Conception. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, is the home of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
A rare look at the Church of the Immaculate Conception with all of the pews removed for cleaning. The Church of the Immaculate Conception is the main chapel of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
