Designed by architect William Tinsley, the English Gothic Revival-style structure is the oldest church building in Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana, that has remained in continuous use.

The parish is also known for its community service, including an annual strawberry festival fundraiser and other charitable work.

Christ Church Cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 10, 1973.

[13] Designed by Irish-born architect William Tinsley in an English Gothic Revival style,[6][14] the church cost between $32,438 and $37,750 to build.

The parish considered relocating north of downtown Indianapolis in 1889 and deliberated over several similar options on several subsequent occasions, but each time the parishioners decided to remain on the Circle.

The architects deepened the chancel, added an exterior porch (lychgate), and designed a new parish house on the west end of the church.

[19] Another renovation took place in 1927, when the church's basement was excavated at a cost of $75,000 to create additional space underneath the building for educational and recreational use.

[10][21][22] William Tinley's early English Gothic-style design for Christ Church included a modified cruciform plan with the sanctuary in the east end and a main facade facing west.

An octagonal spire capping the single tower on the southwest corner was added in 1869, ten years after the building's construction.

Each of the gables on the front facade and transepts have bulls eye windows "with trefoil cusping.

"[6][14][24] In 1900 the chancel was deepened to create a complete cruciform plan and an exterior porch (lychgate) was added to the church.

[14][27] Christ Church parish retains a strong sense of stewardship and remains an active leader in the Indianapolis community.

[10] Due to Christ Church's central location in downtown Indianapolis, it became a hub of several charitable activities.

[29] Christ Church Cathedral has hosted a strawberry festival every summer since 1965, raising funds for local, national, and international charities.

The choir was organized into a professional choral group in 1954, when Christ Church became the pro-cathedral of the diocese.

[citation needed] The Christ Church Singers, a voluntary choir formed in the 1990s, perform under the direction of the cathedral's assistant organist and choirmaster.

[33] Christ Church choirmasters have included Cheston L. Heath (1926–1947), Robert Hobbs (1947–1964), James Litton (1964–1967), David Koehring (1967–1977), Frederick Burgomaster (1977–2009), Dana Marsh (2010–2014), Michael Boney (2014–2019), Christopher Caruso-Lynch (2019–2024), and Stephen White (2024–present).

The Gallery organ, a gift of Ruth Lilly, was built in 1991 by Taylor and Boody Organbuilders of Staunton, Virginia.