Written by Gail Finke Illustrated by Emma Cassani
When the Great Depression halted St. Clare Parish’s church construction, parishioners in College Hill celebrated Mass in the basement for more than 25 years. A temporary roof a few feet above street level was erected to cover the “Basement Church.”
Sept. 5, 1909 25 families met at the Ohio Military Institute to discuss a new parish. Oct. 3, 1909 The parish’s first Mass celebrated on the stage at College Hill Town Hall. May 29, 1910 Temporary church finished and dedicated. 1912 Sisters of St. Francis Oldenberg arrived. St. Clare School opened in their convent. 1915 School building dedicated. 1930 Rectory and basement of church built and roofed to use for Masses.
1 Copper steeple
1955 Work on the church began again. It was designed by architect Edward Schulte in a style combining late-period Art Deco lines with an emphasis on spare wood elements and spare, empty space.
1 Wood reredos Distinctive modified Art Deco reredos combines a large central crucifix with smaller, elaborately gilded paintings of the Virgin Mary and St. John, each flanked with a decorative panel attached with hinges. During Lent the panels are closed. “Our fish fry is known for its communal spirit – as a place to see neighbors and friends. Usually if someone comes, they stay the entire time! We have trouble turning over tables, people just don’t want to leave.” – Father George Jaquemin, pastor “Many, if not most, of the parishioners are actively engaged in parish life and in the life of the neighborhood. St. Clare is really an anchor in the College Hill Community.” – Father George Jaquemin, pastor
1957 Current church dedicated.
St. Clare St. Clare was the first female Franciscan. A rich young woman who ran away from home to follow St. Francis, she founded the Order of Poor Ladies of San Damiano (now called the Poor Clares) to live the Franciscan life in different way from the friars, who wandered and begged. St. Clare is said to have repelled an invading army with a monstrance and, because she miraculously saw Mass on her wall when she was too ill to attend, she is the patron saint of television.
1964 German-made stained glass windows installed. They were based on the Benedicite canticle from the Book of Daniel used in the Liturgy of the Hours (“Oh all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord”). 1987 First St. Clare Lenten fish fry, which continued until Covid-19 restrictions. 2006 New parish center built. School consolidated with several other local parishes at St. Bartholomew Consolidated School (now John Paul II). D ID Y O U K N O W ? / F E B R UARY 2022 | 31
