GOOD BONES

St. Aloysius Church in Carthegena was built by Anton DeCurtins in 1877.

Series on the History of the Land of Cross-Tipped Churches in the Northern Archdiocese

Last month we took a broad look at the Land of the CrossTipped Churches, a unique scenic byway of churches that pepper the horizon throughout Mercer, Auglaize and Darke Counties. The 33 churches and religious sites still standing are a historical diamond shining among the flat, fertile farm lands of the area. In this article, we are going to take a closer look at the “bones” of these structures and how their style evolved over many generations. To conduct this journey, I enlisted the help of local historian, Matthew Hess. Hess is the Director of Ministry at Maria Stein Shrine, a structure known as the epicenter of the Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches.

“The bones of these buildings are what makes them famous. Without the work of local architects and contractors such as Goehr and DeCurtins, as well as other more widely known people and firms, the Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches might not have ever had these red brick, cross-tipped gems” said Hess.

In the early 1800s, the landscape of this area was very different than it is today. German and French immigrants dealt with swampy ground and dense forests. Buildings, including churches, were constructed close together to make travel easier. First generation churches (1845-1865) were log buildings with a style similar to a basic log cabin. Interestingly, St. John Church in Fryburg is the only church that has retained its original structure and remains completely unaffected.

Second generation churches (1865-1885) were typically small brick, rectangular structures with stout spires. St. Augustine in Minster and St. Michael in Ft. Loramie are the only two churches that still have the original brick sections incorporated into their current structure. The small but beloved Holy Family Church in Frenchtown was built in 1866 by Anton Goehr and still stands today.

An immigrant from Germany, Goehr settled in Minster with his family in 1833 when he was 10-years-old. His father taught him carpentry, later adding design and contracting to his skill set. Goehr worked on 30 churches in the area, including the first two St. John Churches in Maria Stein.

One of the most prolific contractors of the area was Anton DeCurtins. DeCurtins came from Switzerland in 1849 to Cincinnati and eventually settled in Carthegena with his wife and eight children. The DeCurtins were a talented family who designed, built and decorated churches, schools and homes. The family’s architectural mark on the area lasted for more than 90 years and spanned many generations. Many family members were skilled in church painting and woodworking, including the construction The DeCurtins family. of pews and organs.

St. Aloysius, their home parish in Carthegena, was built by Anton DeCurtins in 1877. It was a unique design that included a projecting tower and tall spire. This was their first design of many that would follow in the area, and influenced the addition of steeples to many pre-existing simple churches.

Hess noted, “The long spire of this church was a hit. On one level it spoke to older members of the community who would

ST. PETER IN CHAINS CATHEDRAL

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PLANNED LITURGIES: Mon–Fri | 7 am & 5:15 pm Saturday | 11:30 am Sunday | 4:30 pm (Sat) & 11 am Confessions | Saturday-noon to 2 pm have remembered spires like these in the old country. On another level it was awe inspiring as the spires, which can still be seen for miles around, seemed to reach to the heavens.”

Two of the local churches were designed by nationally known architect Adolphus Druiding who came to America in 1865 after studying architecture in his native Germany. The church in St. Henry, an outstanding piece of Victorian Gothic revival architecture, and the third church in Maria Stein were his designs. Druiding trusted local carpenters, the DeCurtins, to execute his work. These buildings, drawing eyes and souls to heaven, continue to animate the faith of the people.

In the courtyard of Maria Stein Shrine, there is a display of all 33 churches. Additionally, inside the Shrine’s Heritage Museum, you can get a closer look at the history of the early settlers and contractors who made this faith-filled area what it is today.

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OUT AND ABOUT IN THE ARCHDIOCESE

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1) GA CLASS OF 2020

Guardian Angels School held a drive-thru parade and parking lot graduation ceremony for its Class of 2020 on May 20. The graduates and their families remained in their vehicles for the duration of the event. The ceremony was much different than what was originally planned for the graduating class, but it was definitely a memorable experience!

2) KHS RECEIVES PILGRIM SHELL

An Archdiocese of Cincinnati member of the

Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of

Jerusalem was awarded the Pilgrim Shell at a ceremony in Jerusalem on Mar. 6. Rev. Ibrahim Shomali, Chancellor of the Latin Patriarchate, presented Sir Edmon L. Poore, KHS with the decoration on behalf of the Latin Patriarch, H.E. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

3) HAND-WASHING STATION

With collaboration from the City of Cincinnati,

Franciscan Ministries’ program - Tamar’s

Center - continues to be a lifeline for those who are living on the streets. Tamar’s worked with the Greater Cincinnati Water Works to install an outside hand-washing station, making this necessity more convenient for those in need.

4) OFFERING CONGRATULATIONS

Nativity School teacher Theresa Olivas was out and about on May 18, in conjunction with Virtual 8th Grade Graduation Night. The upper school teachers placed congratulatory signs at the homes of the Class of 2020.

5) MAY CROWNING AT HOME

May Crowning is traditionally the first of the spring events for the senior class at St. Ursula Academy (SUA) each year. Since this event could not happen at school this year, SUA surprised the girls at their homes at a safe social distance. SUA President Lelia Kramer, Principal Mari Thomas, teachers and staff delivered some celebratory May Crowning items to the homes of every Class of 2020 senior.

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6) MOTHER’S DAY PROCESSION St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in

Liberty Township hosted a special outdoor Eucharistic procession on Mother’s Day. Parishioners gathered in the church’s large parking lot to join in the procession and adoration.

7) DRIVE-THRU GRAD CELEBRATION

On May 19, Mercy McAuley High School celebrated its Class of 2020, on what would have been their graduation night, with a fun drive-thru celebration on campus. Seniors were greeted by employees, coaches, the Parent Pack and Sisters of Mercy, and received special gifts along the route. Among these special gifts was a booklet of more than 200 inspiring letters written by alumnae, employees and friends of Mercy McAuley.

8) PAINTING MESSAGES OF LOVE

Sister Marie-Cecile, a Discalced

Carmelite Nun of the Daughters

of St. Elias climbed a ladder and spray-painted windows covered in cardboard on the two buildings they are renovating with inspiring slogans, including: “God is love” and “the world will change when hearts change.” She painted while protesters passed the building, which belongs to the sisters in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. The video of Sister Marie-Cecile quickly went viral and was picked up and shared by tens of thousands of people.

DISCERNING LIFE AS A SISTER?

As a community dedicated to the Blood of Christ, we recognize the preciousness of life, the need for reconciliation in our world, and the needs of the poor and those in the margins. We respond to these needs and try to be a life-giving, reconciling presence. Since our charism calls us to live a spirituality, not a particular ministry, we are able to be a reconciling presence as educators, social workers, advocates, doctors, pastoral ministers and volunteers.

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Visit our website to learn more about us and the formation process, get discerment resources, and check out our events!