1909 Parish created by Archbishop Henry Moeller and named for his predecessor. Land originally part of St. Lawrence parish. 1910 Temporary, one-story church built on donated property. 1912 School built. 1931 Current Romanesque Revival church completed. Designed by Joseph G. Steinkamp and Bro. Architects and Superintendents, it features an Ohio …

Father Aloysius Gerdes was not expected to recover from surgery during St. John the Baptist Church’s construction, but he said he’d be back for another 20 years—and he was! Pastor for 46 years until his death in 1942, Father Gerdes presided over 488  marriages, 688 funerals and 2,080 baptisms. 1872 …

Written by Gail Finke illustrated by Emma Cassani “We have a beautiful modern church that was painted about a year ago. I wish every priest would come see what can be done with a modern church. Every square inch is painted. I wouldn’t call the style ‘historic,’ I’d call it …

The original building used for Masses (celebrated by visiting priests) at what is now Holy Angels Parish in Sidney was blown up by the anti-Catholic, anti-immigrant Know-Nothing Party (strongly supported in Ohio) in 1855. 1848 First Masses celebrated in parishioners’ homes. 1852 20 x 60-ft. former cooper’s shop purchased for …

1819 Christ Church, the first church in Cincinnati city limits, built on the current site of St. Francis Seraph Church at Vine and Liberty Streets. 1821 The original church moved to Sycamore street on rollers and designated the cathedral of the new Diocese of Cincinnati. It was replaced within five …

Written by Gail Finke Illustrated by Emma Cassani Our Lord Christ the King Church, founded in 1926 in Cincinnati’s Mt. Lookout neighborhood, was the first parish named for Our Lord under the title “King.” Its school, Cardinal Pacelli, was named for a visitor who later became a pope. The interior …

St. John the Baptist Church, Dry Ridge, was named by parishioner Henry Kleine in return for his large pledge of $400.00 1846 One-room log schoolhouse built by area Catholics. 1860 First St. John’s Church built. New school constructed and staffed by Sisters of Divine Providence. 1866 Swiss priest Father Gebhard …

St. Robert Bellarmine at Xavier University is both a parish and a university chapel. As late as the 1940s, students (then all men) were not permitted at parish Masses, but attended student Masses as part of their Jesuit formation and education. 1831 The Athenaeum (men’s high school and college) in downtown …

“We are a very active parish, with people who come from all over—about a third come from the neighborhood, and the rest drive in. The most common comment we get is that we’re a very welcoming community.” – Brother Tim Sucher, OFM, pastoral associate. 1819 Irish Catholics built Christ Church. …

March 25, 1913 Little Miami River levees failed and the Great Dayton Flood began, engulfing most of the city and killing hundreds. Dayton then became one of the nation’s first major flood-control districts. Sept. 21, 1913 First Masses celebrated in the new St. Anthony of Padua parish, headed by Father …