St. Mary's Catholic Church (Dayton, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
St. Mary Roman Catholic Church
|
|
_-_exterior.JPG)
Front and eastern side
|
|
 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 543 Xenia Ave., Dayton, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | 1906 |
| Architect | John B. Vermont |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83002012 |
| Added to NRHP | April 21, 1983 |
St. Mary's Catholic Church is a very old and important church building in Dayton, Ohio, United States. It was built a long time ago, at the start of the 1900s. Today, it is still a busy church where people gather for services. The church's amazing design and tall towers have made it a famous landmark. Pilots even used its towers to help them find their way when flying! The United States government has officially recognized it as a historic site.
Contents
A Look at St. Mary's Church History
_-_stained_glass,_Adoration_of_the_Shepherds_-_tight_crop.JPG)
The first Catholic church in Dayton was called Emanuel Church, started in 1837. Many English-speaking families later formed their own church in 1846. But Emanuel Church kept growing very big. By the late 1850s, it was clear that a new church was needed.
Building the First St. Mary's Church
Land was chosen for the new church on Xenia Avenue in an eastern part of Dayton. The owner of the land was very generous and gave enough space for a church, a rectory (where the priest lives), and a school. In April 1859, a special ceremony took place. Archbishop Purcell from Cincinnati laid the first stone, called the cornerstone. The church was finished and officially opened in August 1860. This first building was about 110 feet long and 50 feet wide.
Growing Bigger: The New Church Building
As the years passed, the number of families attending St. Mary's grew too large for the first building. So, plans were made to build a brand new, bigger church. Construction started, and in July 1905, Archbishop Moeller laid the cornerstone for the new building. The grand new church was completed and officially opened in November 1906. It cost about $125,000 at that time. The church continued to grow, and in 1913, a new church called St. Anthony's was started by families from St. Mary's.
St. Mary's Church Today
St. Mary's Church is still a very active part of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Church services, called Masses, are held there regularly. They are celebrated in both English and Spanish, welcoming many different people.
Amazing Architecture of St. Mary's
_-_nave,_view_from_the_loft.JPG)
The St. Mary's Church you see today is built in a style called Romanesque Revival. This style often uses round arches and strong, solid shapes. The church is made from a mix of brick and stone. It was designed by an architect named John B. Vermont.
Key Features of the Church Design
The church has two huge clock towers on its front side. The front also has three large doorways that you reach by climbing a staircase. There are big windows and many pairs of narrower windows on the higher levels. Each window is topped with a small, rounded roof structure called a dormer, above the clock. These twin towers are so tall and noticeable that they became a landmark. During World War II, pilots from the Army Air Forces used the church towers as a guide to find their way to the runways at Wright Field.
Why St. Mary's Church is a Historic Landmark
In April 1983, St. Mary's Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history. Usually, religious buildings are not put on this list. However, St. Mary's was special because of its unique and important architecture. It is one of five churches in Dayton that are on this list. The others include Sacred Heart, St. Adalbert's, Holy Cross Catholic Churches, and First Lutheran Church.
