Maria Stein, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maria Stein, Ohio
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19th-century farm house in Maria Stein
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Location of Maria Stein, Ohio.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| County | Mercer |
| Elevation | 974 ft (297 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,067 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 2812834 |
Maria Stein is a small community in Mercer County, Ohio, United States. Its name comes from German and means "Mary's stone" or "Mary of the Rock." It is called a census-designated place, which means it's a special area defined for collecting population data.
Maria Stein is known for being in the "Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches." This area has many churches built by German Catholics. A missionary priest named Father Francis de Sales Brunner helped start many of these churches.
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History of Maria Stein
The area where Maria Stein is located was first settled in 1833. The first community was called St. Johns. It was named this because many of the early male settlers were named John.
Later, the Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton Railway built tracks through a nearby small community. This community was Maria Stein, and it became known as "Station" because of the railroad. Since St. Johns and Maria Stein were very close, many businesses moved closer to the railroad. Eventually, the two communities joined together and became known as Maria Stein.
How Maria Stein Got Its Name
The name "Maria Stein" likely comes from Metzerlen-Mariastein in Switzerland. This Swiss town has a famous Benedictine abbey called Mariastein Abbey. Father Francis de Sales Brunner, who helped start the churches in Ohio, lived at this abbey for many years.
While there's no written proof, it's believed Father Brunner named the convent and town in Ohio after the Swiss abbey. He even gave the Maria Stein convent in Ohio a painting of the "Miraculous Madonna of Mariastein" from Switzerland. This painting was said to have saved him from a shipwreck during a storm.
Churches and German Heritage
Maria Stein and nearby communities are famous for their beautiful churches. These large churches were built by German craftsmen in the 1800s. They often have tall steeples topped with a cross.
Some of the biggest churches are in Maria Stein, Minster, and St. Henry. Other examples are found in St. Rose and Cassella. St. John's Church in Maria Stein was finished in 1889.
Many people in Maria Stein still speak a special German dialect. This dialect has roots in northwest Germany and is similar to Dutch.
Shrine of the Holy Relics
Maria Stein is home to the Shrine of the Holy Relics. Relics are special objects, often bones or items that belonged to saints. People respect them because saints lived very good lives.
Father Francis de Sales Brunner was the first to collect relics for Maria Stein. More relics were added during the 1800s to keep them safe from conflicts in Italy. In 1892, a special "relic chapel" was built. Here, the Sisters of the Precious Blood kept a constant watch over the relics. This collection is the second largest in the United States.
Fun Activities in Maria Stein
Maria Stein is about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) south of Grand Lake St. Marys State Park. This large lake was built in the 1800s to supply water to the Miami and Erie Canal. The lake is a popular spot for fishing and boating.
If you want to watch a movie, the closest theaters are in New Bremen and Celina. About 5 miles (8.0 km) from Maria Stein, you can find the Starlight Drive-In. It's one of the few remaining drive-in theaters in Ohio.
Local Festivals
During the summer, many country festivals happen in the area. In late June, Maria Stein hosts the Maria Stein Country Fest. This weekend event celebrates the community's farming and religious history. It takes place at the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics.
A unique part of the festival is tractor square dancing! Four pairs of tractors perform a precise square dance. The festival also includes a pilgrimage from St. John's Catholic Church to the relic chapel grounds. This parade features the Knights of St John, an old religious guard, and members of the American Legion.
Education
Maria Stein is home to Marion Local High School. Students from Maria Stein and nearby communities like Cassella, Chickasaw, and Osgood attend this school.
Images for kids
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Matthias Gast House
