Immaculata Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holy Cross-Immaculata Church |
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| Location | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Website | http://hciparish.org |
| History | |
| Founded | 1859 |
| Founder(s) | John Baptist Purcell |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Archdiocese of Cincinnati |
The Church of the Immaculata, also known as Immaculata Church, is a Catholic church. It sits high up on Mt. Adams, a neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio. This church honors the Immaculate Conception. It is part of the Holy Cross–Immaculata Parish in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. You can find it at 30 Guido Street. From there, you get an amazing view of the Ohio River below. It's one of the highest spots in Cincinnati!
Contents
History of the Church
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How the Church Was Built
This beautiful church, made of limestone, was built in 1859. This was just before the American Civil War began. It was built for the German people living in the Mt. Adams area.
The idea for the church came from Archbishop John Baptist Purcell. He decided to build it after praying during a very bad storm at sea. He promised God that if he survived the storm, he would build a church on the highest point in the city. And so, the Immaculata Church was built!
Joining Parishes and Art Restoration
Close by, there was another church called Holy Cross parish. This church mostly served Irish immigrants. In 1977, the Holy Cross monastery closed down. Its members then joined with Immaculata Church. This created the Holy Cross–Immaculata parish we know today.
The Mt. Adams Preservation Association helped raise money to fix seven paintings. These paintings were created by Johann Schmitt. They were placed above the main altar and side altars between 1863 and 1870. Above the main altar, there's a painted scroll. It shows the Immaculate Conception. In German, it says:
- O Maria, ohne Suende empfangen, bitte fuer die Bekehrung dieses Landes, Amerika.
- (O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for the conversion of this country, America.)
A Historic Landmark
On December 29, 1978, the Immaculate Conception Church, School, and Rectory was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site. The school and rectory (the priest's house) that were once part of it have since closed.
The New Rose Window
In August 2005, workers started removing bricks and glass where a special round window, called a rose window, used to be. The original window had been damaged in a storm. A new rose window was found from Saint Bonaventure Church. That church had closed and was taken down in 2003.
Father Neiheisel and Bill Frantz, a helper at Holy Cross Immaculata, saved this colorful, round, stained-glass rose window. It used to be above the altar in the old church. Father Neiheisel then raised $44,000 to have the window made stronger. It was also made bigger with an 18-inch ring of new glass. Finally, it was placed in the Holy Cross-Immaculata wall. A strong, protective layer of glass was put in front of it.
Church Traditions
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Climbing the Steps on Good Friday
Since 1860, Immaculata Church has been a special place for a tradition. On Good Friday, many people make a pilgrimage. They climb 85 steps to the church's front door from the neighborhood below. As they climb, they pray the Rosary.
There are even more steps! An extra 65 steps start at the bottom of Mt. Adams. A walking bridge over Columbia Parkway connects these two paths. The steps were first made of wood. But in 1911, the City of Cincinnati helped the church build new concrete steps.
St. Patrick's Mini Parade
Every year in February, members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians visit the church. They knock on the door and ask permission to take out the statue of St. Patrick. The Priest then asks for St. Patrick's help and blessings. With bagpipes playing, the six-foot statue of St. Patrick leaves the church. It then leads a "Mini Parade" through the Mt. Adams neighborhood.
