Est. 1908 · Gary, Indiana
About & History
Our Story
From the Steel Mills of Gary to the Heart of Merrillville
Descent of the Holy Ghost grew out of the first great wave of Romanian immigration to Northwest Indiana during the industrial rise of Gary. U.S. Steel began construction of Gary Works in 1906, and the new city rapidly attracted European immigrant workers and families seeking opportunity in the steel industry.
It was in that setting that Romanian Orthodox believers organized themselves into a parish on October 11, 1908 — creating what is today one of the older Romanian Orthodox communities in the region. The Orthodox Church in America and the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate both continue to identify the parish as a church founded in 1908.
Today, Descent of the Holy Ghost is not simply a surviving immigrant parish, but a living link between the Romanian settlement era of early Gary and the broader Orthodox Christian life of Northwest Indiana — celebrating 117 years as an Orthodox community.
The Original Church
The first home of the parish — built by Romanian immigrants who carried their faith from the old country.
A Century of Faith
Parish Timeline
1906
Gary Is Born
U.S. Steel begins construction of Gary Works, drawing waves of European immigrant workers and families to Northwest Indiana in search of opportunity.
1908
The Parish Is Founded
Romanian Orthodox believers in Gary organize themselves into a parish on October 11, 1908. The first Divine Liturgy is celebrated on Christmas Day, December 25, 1908.
1909
First Church Cornerstone
The cornerstone of the first church building at Hayes and 19th Streets in Gary is consecrated on October 31, 1909 — a permanent home for the growing community.
1925
The Gary Church Repaired
On September 10, 1925, the parish undertakes major repairs to the original Gary church building — parishioners gathered on the steps and in the bell tower to mark the occasion.
1961
Building Fund Launched
As Gary's Romanian Orthodox community matures and grows, the parish launches a building fund drive to plan for a new, larger home.
1963
Merrillville Property Purchased
The parish purchases the Parish House at 750 W 61st Avenue and secures property for the new church site in Merrillville on March 18, 1963.
1967
Building Committee Formed
A building committee is formed on March 7, 1967 to plan and oversee the construction of the new Merrillville church facility.
1973
Merrillville Church Consecrated
The present church in Merrillville is consecrated on September 29–30, 1973, marking the parish's geographic transition from its Gary roots to its enduring home.
Today
117 Years of Faith
Descent of the Holy Ghost continues as a living link between the Romanian settlement era of early Gary and the broader Orthodox Christian life of Northwest Indiana today.
Community
A Parish Grows Through Welcome
During the COVID era, New Saint George Romanian Orthodox Church in Lansing, Illinois — a beloved sister parish — was unable to continue due to declining membership, aging parishioners, and rising costs of taxes and repairs. When their doors closed, Descent of the Holy Ghost welcomed many of their families into our community. Fr. Ioan (John) Ionita, who served New Saint George for many years, now comes and serves regularly at our parish — a faithful shepherd who continues his ministry among the people he loves. His presence in our parish photos is a living testament to that bond.
Church Restoration
September 10th, 1925
A Century Ago
The Original Church in Gary, 1925
This remarkable photograph — dated September 10th, 1925 — shows the face of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Gary, Indiana on the day major repairs began. Parishioners stand proudly on the front steps and in the open bell tower, bearing witness to the community's commitment to preserving their house of prayer.
The inscription at the bottom reads in Romanian: "Fața Bisericii Ort. Rom. din Gary în Ziua Începerii Reparației" — "The Face of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Gary on the Day the Repairs Began."
This wooden church at Hayes and 19th Streets in Gary served the Romanian immigrant community for decades before the parish eventually relocated to its present home in Merrillville. The cross atop the roof and the Gothic arched windows speak to the faith that sustained these early parishioners through the hardships of immigrant life.
The Founding Generation
The Consecration of the Church
The Consecration of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Gary, Indiana. Hundreds of parishioners — men, women, and children — gathered before the church doors on this historic day. The priest stands at center in his vestments, flanked by American and Romanian flags. Many of the women wear traditional Romanian folk dress. This is the founding generation of Descent of the Holy Ghost.
The Consecration of the Church
The Consecration of the Romanian Orthodox Church — Gary, Indiana
Est. 1908
Founded
1908
By Romanian immigrants in Gary, IN
First Liturgy
Dec 25, 1908
Christmas Day — the first Divine Liturgy
Present Home
Merrillville
750 W 61st Ave — serving the faithful today
Who We Are Today
An English-Romanian Speaking Community
The parish's transition was not only geographic, but cultural. Founded by Romanian immigrants, Descent of the Holy Ghost is now a more diverse Orthodox community made up of Americans from many ethnic backgrounds — united by the ancient faith of the Orthodox Church.
Founded
1908
One of the oldest Romanian Orthodox communities in Northwest Indiana.
Affiliation
OCA
Part of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, within the Orthodox Church in America.
Home
Merrillville
Serving the greater Northwest Indiana community from our Merrillville home since 1973.
Our Diocese
A Visit from His Grace Bishop Andrei
Descent of the Holy Ghost is part of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, under the omophorion of His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel. Episcopal visits are a cherished occasion for the whole parish — a moment when the local community is united with the wider Church.
His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel
Archbishop of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America — visiting Descent of the Holy Ghost
Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America
Fr. Ioan Ionita · His Grace Bishop Andrei · Fr. Daniel Radu
Fr. Ioan serves regularly at Descent of the Holy Ghost, continuing his ministry among the families he has shepherded for many years
Romanian Orthodox Episcopate
Installation of Fr. Daniel Radu — His Grace Bishop Andrei Presiding
Priests from across the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate gathered at Descent of the Holy Ghost
Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America
Sunday of Orthodoxy — His Grace Bishop Andrei with the parish
Every person holding an icon before the iconostasis of Descent of the Holy Ghost
Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America
The Parish Family with His Grace Bishop Andrei
All generations gathered before the iconostasis
The Parish Family — Romanian folk dress, all generations
Descent of the Holy Ghost · Merrillville, IN
His Grace Bishop Andrei with the parish of Descent of the Holy Ghost
Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America
A Sacred Legacy
His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel
Archbishop of Detroit and Romanian Episcopate of America
The Iconostasis of Descent of the Holy Ghost
Every icon on this sacred screen was written by the hand of His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel — a gift of immeasurable beauty and devotion to our parish.
Life & Ministry
Shepherd of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate
His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) was born on January 9, 1940, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Romanian immigrant parents who instilled in him a deep love for the Orthodox faith and the Romanian people.
Ordained to the episcopate in 1984, he has served as the ruling hierarch of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America for decades, guiding parishes across the United States and Canada with wisdom, pastoral warmth, and an unwavering commitment to Orthodox tradition.
His Eminence continues to be a beloved shepherd and a living witness to the Orthodox faith in America, inspiring the faithful of the Episcopate through his ministry, his teaching, and his sacred art.
Sacred Iconography
Iconographer, Artist & Theologian
Beyond his episcopal ministry, Archbishop Nathaniel is a gifted iconographer whose sacred art graces churches throughout the Episcopate. He has studied the ancient Byzantine tradition of icon writing and brings it to life with extraordinary skill and theological depth.
His icons are not merely decorations — they are windows into eternity, written in prayer and offered as acts of worship. Each figure, each face, each gilded halo reflects his profound understanding of Orthodox theology and his love for the saints.
We at Descent of the Holy Ghost are uniquely blessed: the iconostasis of our church — the Theotokos, the Apostles, and the saints — was written by his hand. It is a treasure beyond measure.
The Pantocrator
A Local Treasure · Added c. 2011
Separate from the iconostasis, and equally treasured, is the Pantocrator — the large icon of Christ the Almighty that hangs above the church pews. A single, striking square icon written by Mother Theodora, a local nun who created it as a personal gift to our parish approximately fifteen years ago.
The Pantocrator stands on its own as a distinct and beloved work of sacred art. As parishioners gather in the nave for worship, it watches over the faithful — Christ present among His people in image as He is present in the Liturgy. That it was written by a local monastic, close to our community, makes it all the more intimate and dear.
We are deeply grateful to Mother Theodora for this beautiful and enduring gift to Descent of the Holy Ghost.
"The icon is a confession of faith in images — a theology written not in words, but in line and color, in gold and prayer."
— His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel
Sacred Art at Descent of the Holy Ghost
Two Sacred Works, Two Devoted Servants of God
Our church is home to two distinct and deeply personal works of sacred art. The iconostasis — the Theotokos, the Apostles, and the saints — was written entirely by the hand of His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel, one of the great hierarchs of American Orthodoxy. It is his lasting gift to our parish.
Above the pews, watching over the faithful in the nave, hangs the Pantocrator — a large icon of Christ written by Mother Theodora, a local nun who offered it to our community approximately fifteen years ago. These two works are separate in time and origin, yet together they fill our church with beauty, prayer, and the abiding presence of the sacred. We are profoundly grateful for both.
Parish Clergy
Rev. Fr. Daniel Radu
Parish Priest · Rector
Fr. Daniel Radu serves as the Rector of Descent of the Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana. Ordained to the holy priesthood, Fr. Daniel shepherds the parish in its liturgical life, pastoral care, and mission to the wider community.
Fr. Daniel is available for pastoral conversations, sacramental preparation, and inquiries about the Orthodox faith. Visitors and inquirers are warmly welcomed — please speak with him after Divine Liturgy on Sunday or reach out directly.
Contact Fr. DanielCome Be Part of the Story
117 years of faith, community, and liturgy — and the story continues. We'd love to welcome you.