St. Joseph's Catholic Church (Wapakoneta, Ohio) facts for kids
St. Joseph's Catholic Church is a beautiful old church in Wapakoneta, Ohio. It was built in 1910 and is still used by a lively Catholic community today. This church is special because it's a historic site, known for its amazing Romanesque Revival style of building.
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
St. Joseph Catholic Church and School
|
|
Front and side of the church
|
|
 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 309 S. Perry St., Wapakoneta, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Area | 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) |
| Built | 1899 |
| Architect | DeCurtins; John and Joseph Hemmert |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| MPS | Cross-Tipped Churches of Ohio TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 79003453 |
| Added to NRHP | July 26, 1979 |
Contents
How the Church Started
_-_stained_glass,_organ_loft,_detail_of_angel.jpg)
One of the first Catholic priests in northern Ohio was John William Horstmann. He lived in Glandorf. Starting in 1832, he traveled about 50 miles each month to a town called Stallotown.
Wapakoneta was right in the middle of these two places. So, Father Horstmann often stopped in Wapakoneta. He would visit and lead Mass for the few Catholic families living there.
By 1839, the Catholic group in Wapakoneta had grown. They were able to form their own separate church community. The members built a small wooden church. It was located near the city's downtown.
At first, there wasn't a full-time pastor for the church. But more people joined in the 1840s and 1850s. In 1857, a priest was finally assigned to the church. Since 1850, priests from the Congregation of the Precious Blood have served the church.
The Church Building
_-_view_from_the_loft.jpg)
By the late 1850s, the church community had grown a lot. The first small church was too small for everyone. So, a bigger brick church was built in 1858. It was placed just east of the original wooden building.
This second church had a huge single tower and four bells. It also had a large pipe organ. Older church members remembered the organ and bells fondly. They said these instruments were very good, even compared to those built much later.
This second church was later replaced by the building you see today. Construction of the current Romanesque Revival style church began in 1910. It was finished and officially opened on October 8, 1911.
The church is made of brick and sits on a strong stone base. It has two tall towers and a big round rose window at the front. Below the window, there are several large arched doors where people enter.
Church Styles in Ohio
Historians have looked at the churches built by the Precious Blood group in western Ohio. They noticed different building styles over time. The first churches were small and made of wood. Only a few of these are left today.
The second group of churches were usually small brick buildings. They did not have tall spires. The third group of churches are mostly Gothic Revival style with very tall towers. The newest churches, like St. Joseph's, show many different styles. St. Joseph's was built in 1910, making it one of the newer churches in the area.
Other Important Buildings
The School Building
In 1853, the church bought a wooden building next to its property. They quickly opened a parish elementary school there. After sixteen years, they needed a bigger school. So, a larger brick building was built in 1869. It cost $4,000.
The school kept growing, so a new building was needed again in 1899. This building is still standing today. St. Joseph's School has special features like towers. It is one of the most impressive Catholic schools in the region.
A high school was opened in 1919. Classes met in the elementary school building at first. A new high school building was finished in 1961. However, the high school closed in 1974 due to money problems. The elementary students then moved into the former high school building. The original elementary school was rented out to the local public school district.
The Rectory
In 1899, the church also built a rectory, which is where the priests live. This building was made bigger in 1922. Later, the rectory was changed into a convent, a home for nuns.
The Church Today
Current Use
Today, St. Joseph's Church is still a very active church. It is part of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. It works closely with St. John parish in Fryburg. Both churches are part of the St. Marys area.
Historic Recognition
In 1979, St. Joseph's Church and its school were added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important for Ohio's history and have well-preserved old architecture.
They were part of a group of over thirty buildings. These were called the "Cross-Tipped Churches of Ohio Thematic Resources." These churches are known for their tall towers and are mostly in the Gothic Revival style. This area of Ohio is often called the "Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches" because of them.
Images for kids
-
Front and side of the church
-
A stained glass window in the church
-
Inside view from the loft
-
Front and side of the school
-
Parish offices, located behind the church
