Near the scenic Rhine River in Germany is a little shrine devoted to the Blessed Mother where Father Joseph Kentenich founded the Marian movement called Schoenstatt, meaning “beautiful place.” This apostolic movement seeks to renew the Church by connecting faith to daily life through Mary’s example.

Now established across the globe, the Schoenstatt movement has set up beautiful places of grace like its original shrine in Germany, for members and all faithful to visit. It first came to the U.S. during the 1950s in Milwaukee and was established in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s northern area by Gordon and Carol Lis in the early 1980s. They had moved from Milwaukee to Sidney, Ohio, and shared their zeal for Schoenstatt.

Today, the movement has a new home in the picturesque Ohio countryside area known as Rhine, whose historic St. Lawrence church recently underwent a renovation that helped celebrate its past, as well as ensure its future alongside the local Schoenstatt movement. Established in 1856, its

current church building was dedicated in 1894 and built in the gothic style typical of both the era and the German immigrants who were its parishioners. Their descendants still worship there today.

Its current pastor, Father Sean Wilson, tells of the providential mishap that brought the Schoenstatt movement to Rhine: “At a deanery meeting in August 2022, my car broke down, and Father Steve Mondiek [the Ohio Schoenstatt diocesan leader] gave me a ride back.”

The group had received the contents of the Mariengarten Shrine in Milwaukee, which closed in 2018, and was looking for a home. They were open to a local church if they were unable to establish their own daughter shrine.

“Father Mondiek wondered where they might find a home,” shared Father Wilson, whose thoughts during their conversation were on the renovations happening at St. Lawrence. Would his parish in Rhine be a good fit?

The renovations were underway, as there was a noticeable need to fix the cracking drywall and peeling paint. Hired to complete the renovations’ design and details, Blanck Studios had already chosen a light blue color similar to the windows’ stained glass to bring harmony to the entire space, and they chose stencil patterns to fit the neo-gothic style. Their work began in October 2022.

At a town hall meeting in the midst of the renovation, Father Wilson raised the idea of bringing Schoenstatt to St. Lawrence. Tim and Darla Dietz, members of both the Parish Family and Schoenstatt, remember the many hoops jumped through to make this partnership work.

“It was a work of Divine Providence,” says Darla. The parish and local Schoenstatt members had to agree, then the archdiocese and Schoenstatt’s Presidium (leadership) had to sign off. “This had not really been done before,” said Tim. A daughter shrine is usually built from scratch; this Schoenstatt Chapel was established within a parish church.

In the end, it all worked out, as all parties agreed this held benefits for everyone involved. “It just seemed to fit,” says Father Wilson, “It was as if Someone else organized this.”

In March of 2023, the Milwaukee shrine’s altar and other contents arrived in their new home. As local Schoenstatters gathered to pray and admire the beauty of the renovated St. Lawrence Church, they saw that the predetermined shade of blue perfectly matched the mantel of Mary, Mother Thrice Admirable, in the picture atop the altar’s reredos. They were home!

Over the past year Schoenstatt has used the space for multiple formation and devotional events. A parish hall next to the church helps the campus lend itself to retreats for members. Covenant ceremonies, when faithful become members of Schoenstatt after attending classes,  are  held  in  St.  Lawrence’s sanctuary. Many members drop by the church during the day for private prayer, and many parishioners in the Holy Face Family of Parishes have become interested in joining Schoenstatt.

With the uptick of activity, there are more opportunities for the Rhine community to pray together and celebrate Mass. And with Schoenstatt members lending their time, the church is open more hours than before.

The Dietzs shared their perspective, “For this parish to invite Schoenstatt and all parishes in Ohio into their beautiful little parish speaks so well of the humility and unity it takes between parishes to work together as one.”

The pastor shares this sentiment of mutual success, having seen generosity and graciousness flow from both groups over the past year. “It’s just good all the way around,” said Father Wilson. He invites all “to come and visit.” There you will experience a beautiful place with the peace only the Mother of God can give.

This article appeared in the May 2024 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.