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 located in Hillsboro, Ohio. It's a special place because it was built a long time ago, in the middle of the 1800s. The church has a unique style called Gothic Revival, which makes it look like old European cathedrals. Because of its history and design, it is recognized as an important historic site in the United States.
Contents
History of St. Mary's Church
How the Church Started
The story of St. Mary's Church began in 1851. At that time, people who followed the Episcopalian faith would hold their church services in the Highland County Courthouse. This was before they had their own building.
Two years later, in 1853, the first priest arrived. His name was Noah Schenck. A bishop named Bishop McIlvaine asked him to split his time. He spent half his Sundays with the St. Mary's group and the other half with a church in Troy.
Building the Church
In 1854, the church community decided to build their own church. They hired an architect from Cincinnati named John R. Hamilton. Local builders from Hillsboro, Henning and Shinn, worked as the contractors. They finished building the church in 1855.
About 30 years later, the church got an exciting new addition. They installed a very large pipe organ. This organ had an amazing 1,600 pipes, which must have made the music sound incredible!
Unique Church Design
What the Church is Made Of
The church building sits on a strong limestone foundation. Its roof is made of asphalt. The main parts of the church are built with wood and glass.
Special Features of the Building
You can see a small tower on top of the church's large front section, which is shaped like a triangle (a gable). A big stained glass window is a main feature above the front door.
The walls of the church are made of limestone and have special supports called buttresses. These buttresses help make the walls stronger. St. Mary's Church is unique in Hillsboro because no other limestone churches were built there in the 1800s.
Inside the church, there are six tall windows shaped like pointed arches, called ogive arches. These windows let in light. The interior also has oaken pews, which are the long benches where people sit. These pews were put in when the church was first built. The ceiling is very high and shaped like a vault, giving the church a grand feeling. The lower part of the walls has special wood paneling called wainscoting, which is made of marble.
A Historic Landmark
In 1988, St. Mary's Church and its rectory (the house where the priest lives) were officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized as important historical sites in the United States. They earned this honor because of their special and unique architecture.
St. Mary's is one of more than 30 current or former Episcopal churches in Ohio that are on this list. It is also one of twenty-six properties in Highland County that are listed on the Register. The church is still an active part of the Diocese of Southern Ohio today.
