Saint Mary's Episcopal Church (Hillsboro, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Saint Mary's Episcopal Church and Parish House
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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 | 232 N. High St., Hillsboro, Ohio |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1854 |
| Architect | John R. Hamilton; Charles Henning and the Shinn Brothers |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 88001421 |
| Added to NRHP | September 8, 1988 |
St. Mary's Episcopal Church is a beautiful old church in Hillsboro, Ohio. It's a special building because of its unique style, called Gothic Revival. This means it looks a bit like the grand churches built a long time ago in Europe. The church is so important that it's listed as a historic site in the United States.
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A Look Back in Time
The story of St. Mary's Church began in 1851. At first, people who followed the Episcopalian faith would meet for services in the Highland County Courthouse. It wasn't until 1853 that they got their first priest, Noah Schenck. He split his time between Hillsboro and another town called Troy.
Building the Church
In 1854, the church community decided it was time to build their own special place of worship. They hired a talented architect named John R. Hamilton from Cincinnati. Local builders, Henning and Shinn, helped bring his designs to life. The church building was finished in 1855. About 30 years later, a huge pipe organ with 1,600 pipes was added, making the music in the church even more amazing!
What Makes It Special?
St. Mary's Church is built on a strong base of limestone. Its roof is made of asphalt, and the main parts of the building are made from wood and glass.
Unique Design Features
You'll notice a small tower on top of the church's front. This front also has a very large stained glass window above the main entrance. The church's walls are made of limestone and have special supports called buttresses. These buttresses make the church stand out because no other limestone churches were built in Hillsboro during the 1800s.
Inside, the church is lit by six windows shaped like ogive arches. You can see the original oak pews, which are the long benches where people sit. The ceiling is very high and vaulted, meaning it has a curved, arch-like shape. There's also beautiful wainscoting made of marble along the lower part of the walls.
A Historic Landmark
In 1988, St. Mary's Church and its nearby house for the priest (called a rectory) were added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized as important historical buildings because of their unique architecture.
St. Mary's is one of many Episcopal churches in Ohio that are on this list. It's also one of twenty-six historic places in Highland County. Today, the church is still an active part of the Diocese of Southern Ohio, serving its community.
