1910 Parish established.
1910 Original church building constructed. (It was demolished in the summer of 2021).
1914 School opened for grades 1-4; followed by grades, 5-6 the following year and grades 7-8 in 1918.
1930 Church building completed.
1954 Mural in apse painted.
1955 Wooden baldacchino installed over altar.

Sisters of Charity originally taught all classes at the school Edward T.P. Graham architect

1 Central mural of the Annunciation

2 Greek icon-style paintings of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and the Holy Family in elaborate wooden frames

1 Relic of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati in the St. Joseph Chapel

Monogram The mosaic in the sanctuary floor is a symbol beloved to Eastern Christians. The letters in the four corners made by the cross are a monogram that mean “Jesus Christ Conquers” – both an allusion to Constantine’s vision predicting his military victory under the banner of Christ, and Christ’s victory over death.

Gerhard Lamers Born and trained in Germany, Gerhard Lamers painted the sanctuary mural at Annunciation, as well as murals in many other churches in several states, including the murals at the Pontifical College Josephinum and the Monte Cassino Shrine in St. Meinrad, IN.

“Annunciation is a part of my identity. Since 1953, there’s been someone in my family living in Clifton and at Annunciation. I went to school there, my three children went to school there. It’s been a huge part of the neighborhood for more than a hundred years. There has always been a bond between Annunciation and the people of Clifton.” Parishioner Ray Faller

“I love the murals, all those pictures of the saints. I’m always taken by how many of us are named after those saints. My granddaughter Lucy was very impressed to see Lucy up there – holding her eyes out! Those are important pieces of our faith.” – Parishioner Barbara Mussman

18 Standing figures of saints (5 male and 5 female) and angels (8)

24 Columns with hybrid ionic/ Corinthian columns

This article appeared in the September edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.