Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (Fulda, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Mary's Church of the Immaculate Conception
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Front of the church
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Off State Route 564 in Fulda, Ohio |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1874 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003202 |
| Added to NRHP | July 21, 1980 |
The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is a very old and important Catholic church. It is located in a quiet, countryside area called Fulda in Noble County, Ohio, United States. This church was started in the 1840s by German immigrants. Today, it is a famous building that stands out in the community. It is even recognized as a historic site.
History of the Church
Noble County was settled by pioneers after the Treaty of Greenville in 1795. However, the town of Fulda itself was planned much later, in 1861. By the late 1880s, many German families lived in this small village.
The first religious leaders in Noble County were traveling ministers. These were often from the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Immaculate Conception Church began around 1840. This was seven years after the first German families arrived in the area. They had moved from Wheeling, Virginia.
At first, there was no priest living in Fulda. A priest from Miltonsburg started visiting twice a month in 1849. The first priest who lived in Fulda arrived in 1858. He stayed for two years. His replacement, D.J. Kluber, served the church from 1860 to 1883. He helped the church grow a lot.
The first small church building was started by the visiting priest from Miltonsburg. Archbishop Purcell from Cincinnati officially opened it in 1853. Ten years later, the church built a parish school. A rectory (a home for the priest) was built in 1866. This rectory was very large and cost $2,500 to build.
By this time, the first church building was too small for everyone. So, plans were made to build a new, bigger church. The first stone of the new church was laid in May 1874. Bishop Rosecrans from Columbus officially opened the new church in August 1875.
Church Building Design
The Immaculate Conception Church is built from brick. It is designed in the Romanesque Revival style. This style looks back to old Roman buildings. The front of the church has a pointed roof, called a gable. It is divided into three sections, or bays.
Each side section has an entrance door. Above each door is a window with a rounded top, like a fan. There is also another window above that. The middle section has a tall tower. This tower has two round windows, called oculi, and an arched window above its main doorway. Inside the tower, near the top, is a bell tower, or belfry, with openings for the sound to come out.
The sides of the church have very large Romanesque windows. Under the roof, there is a decorative border of small arches. Inside, the church is very detailed. It has a curved ceiling, like a vault. It also uses many colors, which is called polychromy. There is a grand main altar at the front. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, so its main color is light blue. Gold and rose colors are also used to honor Christ.
Outside, the church is the most important building in Fulda. It sits on top of a hill, which makes its grand design stand out even more. It looks much more impressive than any other building in the area.
Protecting the Church
Immaculate Conception Church is still an active part of the Diocese of Steubenville. It is one of five Catholic churches in Noble County.
In 1980, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important historical sites in the United States. It was added because of its beautiful and important architecture. It also has a significant place in the local history of the area. It is one of nine places in Noble County on this list. Another church on the list is St. Henry's Church in Harriettsville. The Immaculate Conception Church helped St. Henry's in its early years.
