St. Leo's Church (Baltimore) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Leo's Church
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St. Leo's Church, 2014
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Location | 227 S. Exeter St., Little Italy, Baltimore, Maryland |
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Area | less than one acre |
Built | 1880 |
Architect | E. Francis Baldwin, Edwin Brady |
Architectural style | Eclectic |
NRHP reference No. | 83002939 |
Added to NRHP | July 28, 1983 |
St. Leo's Church is an old and important Catholic church in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. You can find it in a neighborhood called Little Italy. Many people think of this church as the heart of that community.
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About St. Leo's Church
This church was built a long time ago, between 1880 and 1881. It's made of brick with pretty stone decorations. The building mixes different styles of architecture, like Italian, Romanesque, and Classical designs.
What the Church Looks Like
St. Leo's Church has a tall entrance porch. On its north side, there's a small tower with a cone-shaped roof. At the northeast corner, you'll see a square bell tower. The front of the church has a big, round rose window. You can also spot many cool patterns made from the bricks.
A Special Place for Immigrants
St. Leo's was the very first church in Maryland built especially for Italian immigrants. It was also one of the first churches like this in the entire country. A famous architect from Baltimore, E. Francis Baldwin, designed the church.
Historic Recognition
In 1983, St. Leo's Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
The Church Organ
Inside the church, there's an old pipe organ built by Henry Niemann in 1881. This historic organ is still played today. For example, it was used in a concert during the Organ Historical Society Convention in July 2024.