Catholic Architecture and History of Toledo, Ohio: January 2025

Friday, January 31, 2025

Cross Tipped Churches Trip: St. Wendelin, Wendelin

In the small town named after it's namesake church is St. Wendelin.There must have been a major renovation because this just does not look original.

I do not like that the brick tower does not match the rest of the building.

At least the interior makes up for the exterior.

I don't know why this church has transepts because they are unusually small. It makes this church unique.

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Crossed Tipped Churches Trip: St. Joseph, Ft. Recovery

A couple miles east of Ft. Recovery is another small church named St. Joseph. This is what I would consider the average church in the area.

The bellfry not matching the brick facade is annoying me a bit.

Th interior is very impressive. It just looks weird having a flat ceiling.

The cross on top of the high altar had a statue of Jesus on it with 2 women on either side. I don't know why they removed them.

The ambo must be original

On the outside, the church's interior is very well kept. However, behind the scenes, there are some problems. In the Bell tower (how to get to the balcony) there was a noticeable hole in the ceiling along with a noticeable water leak. Those issues don't change my opinion on this amazing church.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Cross Tipped Churches Trip: St. Peter, Ft. Recovery

A few miles north of Ft. Recovery is St. Peter. This church definitely surprised me. Being in the countryside, I didn't expect this.

I wonder if that steeple is not the original. It would probably look better with a taller steeple.

You would not expect this in the countryside, because I didn't.

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Cross Tipped Churches Trip: St. Anthony

Just a few miles east of the Ohio-Indiana border is the small church of St. Anthony. There is almost no pictures so I was really excited on seeing it in person.

Those pinnacles make this church very unique. Wonder if they are original.

Very impressive high altar. I do think they should fill those walls with something though.

Monday, January 27, 2025

Cross Tipped Churches Trip: Immaculate Conception, Celina

Rising above the town of Celina is the done from Immaculate Conception church. Probably one of the best looking church in the area.

The dome and belfries remind me of Good Shepherd in Toledo, just a bit stretched.

The inside is incredible. I just think that they should fill those empty walls with statues or paintings. Still, a great interior.

Sunday, January 26, 2025

Cross Tipped Churches trip: St. Patrick, Glynwood

Situated between St. Marys and Wapakoneta just a few miles north of road 33 is the small church of St. Patrick.

It is a very nice and quaint church

The interior was a huge surprise. Look at that high altar. Certainly don't see these types of churches often in the diocese of Toledo.

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Cross tipped churches trip: St. Joseph, Wapakoneta

Situated in west central Ohio is the Land of Cross Tipped Churches. Over the next days I will visit 26 out of almost 30 churches in this area. The first church is St. Joseph in Wapakoneta.

Beautiful exterior

Better interior

Of course I had to go to the balcony. Best view

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Blessed Carlo Acutis

There is a new statue at Immaculate Conception church in Toledo. It is a statue of Blessed Carlo Acutis. It looks very unusual as Carlo has a laptop and is sitting on a park bench, however. It was designed by students at the nearby Queen of Apostles school. The Blade also wrote an article on it with more images here.

Friday, January 17, 2025

History of Sorrowful Mother Shrine Presentation, Feb 9

There will be a presentation on the history of the Sorrowful Mother Shrine on Feb. 9, 2025, with shrine archivist Michael Czeczele. The program will follow the 11 a.m. Sunday mass, in the Pilgrimage Center. This is part of the 175th anniversary celebration. More details HERE.