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Saint Elizabeth Seton committee explores reuse of historic school; Lafayette Diocese likely to decide
Summary
A committee assembled by Saint Elizabeth Seton is exploring reuse options for a 1903 schoolhouse the parish owns; staff connected the committee with local preservation resources and said final decisions will go to the Lafayette Diocese, the legal owner.
Commission staff reported outreach with Saint Elizabeth Seton representatives about the historic school building on parish property and said the congregation’s committee is exploring reuse options.
Staff told the commission the building — which staff and a local preservation contact described as likely the only surviving historic school building in Carmel and was built in 1903 — had seen partial interior alterations over time. The parish committee, staff said, indicated they wanted to retain and find a reuse for the structure but that they had no funds yet committed to preservation. Staff connected the parish to Andy Wright of the Carmel Clay Historical Society for local research and urged preservation‑minded alternatives.
Staff said the parish committee will develop a recommendation that will be forwarded to the Lafayette Diocese for final approval, because the diocese is the legal owner. Commissioners and staff encouraged local advocacy and suggested the building could serve as a field‑trip destination or be adapted for community use if funding and program partners are identified.
No formal application, ordinance or preservation designation was considered at the meeting. Staff recommended ongoing outreach and offered to assist the parish committee with exploring grants and reuse strategies.
