St. Paul Church (Over the Rhine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Paul Church Historic District
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View from the Carew Tower
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Spring, 12th and Pendleton Sts., Cincinnati, Ohio |
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| Area | 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) |
| Built | 1848 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001513 |
| Added to NRHP | January 18, 1974 |
The St. Paul Church is an old building in Cincinnati, Ohio. It used to be a Roman Catholic church. You can find it in the Pendleton neighborhood, at the corner of Twelfth and Spring Streets.
This church is part of a special area called the "St. Paul Church Historic District." This means it's an important place with a lot of history.
Contents
Building a Community Church
The St. Paul Church was built for German-speaking people. In the winter of 1847–1848, many people from St. Mary's Church lived far away. They needed a church closer to their homes.
A leader named Joseph Ferneding helped them. In February 1848, they bought the land where the church now stands. They planned the church's design a few months later. Money for building came from selling other land nearby.
How the Church Was Built
Construction of the church finished in 1850. The building is about 150 feet long and 68 feet wide. It stands 48 feet tall and has a sloped roof covered in tin. The church is made of brick and sits on a strong stone base.
In 1899, a fire badly damaged the church. Most of it was destroyed, but the walls and the beautiful German stained glass windows survived. People quickly started rebuilding. The new St. Paul's Church was ready on October 7, 1900.
Inside, the church is very bright. Twelve tall columns support the front part of the church. The outside walls have wide, flat columns between the tall, round-arched windows. The church also has a tower with a special dome on top, shaped like a Pope's hat. A golden cross sits on the very top. The main entrance has three arched doorways facing Spring Street.
A New Purpose for the Church
In 1974, the church stopped being used for religious services. In the same year, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important historical places in the United States. The church and its nearby buildings became known as the "St. Paul Church Historic District."
From Church to Museum
In 1981, a company called The Verdin Company bought the church complex. This company makes bells and clocks. They fixed up the buildings. The church itself became a museum and showroom for bells and clocks. Other buildings, like the old convent and schools, were turned into art galleries.
In 1983, the Ohio History Connection gave The Verdin Company an award. They praised the company for restoring the church and finding a new use for it. This is called "adaptive reuse," which means giving an old building a new life.
Today, the church is owned by Cafeo Hospitality. It is now a place for special events like weddings and company gatherings.
