St. John's Catholic Church (Fryburg, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. John Catholic Church and Parish Hall
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![]() Street view of the hall and church
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Location | Southwestern corner of Schlemel and Van Buren Sts., Fryburg, Ohio |
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Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
Built | 1850 |
Architectural style | Gothic Revival, Federal |
MPS | Cross-Tipped Churches of Ohio TR |
NRHP reference No. | 79003451 |
Added to NRHP | July 26, 1979 |
St. John Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic church located in Fryburg, Ohio. This community is an unincorporated area in Auglaize County, Ohio. The church was built a long time ago, starting in 1848 and finishing in 1850. A Catholic school was also built nearby in 1877. Both the church and the old school building have special architectural styles.
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St. John Catholic Church: A Historic Place
St. John Catholic Church is found in Fryburg, Ohio, a small community in Auglaize County, Ohio. The church began its journey in 1848. This was the same year the community of Fryburg was officially planned out. The church building itself was completed just two years later, in 1850.
The Parish and School
The church is part of a larger group called a parish. This parish was created in 1848. Later, in 1877, a Catholic school was built to go along with the church. This school helped educate the children of the community for many years.
A Look at the Architecture
Both the church and the former school building are known for their beautiful designs. They show off different styles of architecture.
Gothic Revival Style
The church building itself features Gothic Revival architecture. This style was popular in the 1800s. It often includes tall, pointed windows called lancet windows. You might also see decorative columns, known as pilasters, on the outside. These details give the church a grand and traditional look.
Federal Architecture Style
The old school building is a great example of Federal architecture. This style was common in the United States during the late 1700s and early 1800s. It often looks balanced and simple, with classic shapes and details.
History and Importance
St. John's Church has a rich history and is an important landmark in its region.
The Society of the Precious Blood
For many years, St. John's was served by a group of priests and brothers called the Society of the Precious Blood. This group helped establish and care for many churches in western Ohio.
The Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches
St. John's is one of the oldest Catholic churches still standing in an area known as the "Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches." This region in western Ohio has many historic Catholic churches. Most of the very first churches built here were made of logs and are no longer around. St. John's is special because it has kept its original look.
Unique Features
Unlike many other old churches, St. John's still has its original brick and stucco outside walls. Inside, the church has a beautiful painted ceiling called a fresco. This fresco is considered a very important part of its design. In the entire Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati, only one church is older than St. John's and has kept its original structure without big changes.
National Recognition
Because of its history and unique architecture, St. John's Church and its parish hall were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to history or architecture. Many other churches in the "Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches" were also added to this list around the same time.