St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (Glandorf, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. John The Baptist Roman Catholic Church
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | OH 694 and Main St., Glandorf, Ohio |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1875 |
| Architect | Cudell & Richardson |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001083 |
| Added to NRHP | June 17, 1977 |
The St. John The Baptist Roman Catholic Church is a very old and important church. You can find it in Glandorf, Ohio, at the corner of Ohio 694 and Main Street. This beautiful church was built in 1875. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. This means it is recognized as a special historical building in the United States.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
How Glandorf Began
The story of St. John the Baptist Church starts in 1834. A priest named Father Johann Wilhelm Horstmann and other people came from a town called Glandorf, Germany. They traveled all the way to Putnam County, Ohio. These settlers bought land from the government. They then created the town of Glandorf, Ohio. They also built the very first Catholic church in Putnam County. This first church was a small log cabin, about 16 feet by 18 feet. It was also Father Horstmann's home.
Growing Bigger: New Churches Are Built
The church community quickly grew too big for the small log cabin. So, in 1837, a larger church was built. This one was made of hewn logs. It was dedicated to St John the Baptist, just like the current church. Father Horstmann passed away in 1843. After him, Father Bohne took over the church. He started building a new church made of bricks. Soon after, a group called the Missionaries of the Precious Blood began to manage the church. In 1848, they also started a convent there.
The Current Church Building
The church building you see today was constructed in 1875. It was officially opened in 1878. The church was designed by architects named Cudell & Richardson. When it was finished, it was the largest Roman Catholic church in Ohio!
The church is built in a style called Neo-Gothic. It has a very tall spire that reaches 169 feet into the sky. Inside, the church has many amazing features. It has small statues from Austria. The beautiful stained glass windows were brought from Munich, Germany. There is also a very detailed pulpit. This pulpit was bought for $1,400 at a big event called the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. A cemetery, where Father Horstmann is buried, is right next to the church.
Important Dates for the Church
In 1977, the church was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This was a big honor. Later, in 1992, a fire caused a lot of damage inside the church. It cost about $1.2 million to fix. In 2015, the church opened a museum. This museum shows the history of both the church and the town of Glandorf.
Restoring the Church's Beauty
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In 2017, the church went through a big restoration project. This project lasted three months and cost $1.2 million. The work included important updates to protect the building. For example, the inside walls were covered with fiberglass. The church was also painted. New storm windows were put in to protect the beautiful stained glass.
During the restoration, a lowered ceiling in the entrance area was removed. This uncovered another stained glass window that had been hidden. The company that did this special work was Conrad Schmitt Studios from New Berlin, Wisconsin.
