Storm Damage - St. Mary Norwalk

In the recent storms that moved their way through Ohio, Norwalk was hit particularly hard, with many damaged buildings and homes. The First Baptist Church (Oasis of God) had one of it's turrets blown off (see picture from wkyc.com). It was reported that winds of up to 100 mph blew through the area.


St. Mary's in Norwalk was also damaged. Much of the masonry at the top of the tower was disturbed. Some even fell to the ground and onto the church roof, causing damage to the roof and plaster ceiling inside. The damage is severe enough that the streets surrounding the church are closed in case of further structural failure, and all masses and other events have been moved to the school gym. See the Norwalk Reflector article below:

http://www.norwalkreflector.com/article/3743856

Interestingly enough, this is not the first time the steeple has suffered wind damage. A wind storm in the 50's damaged the original ornamentation at the base of the steeple. See the below blog post for a picture.

http://catholictoledo.blogspot.com/2007/04/st-mary-norwalk_20.html

Plans for the future of the steeple and tower are to be determined. See below for pictures of the exterior damage. Note the masonry that is shifted, missing or pulling away from the structure. Extensive interior damage was also noted by engineers. I do not have any pictures of interior damage at this point in time.

I will post an update once further plans are outlined. Until then, updates of the situation can be followed on the parish's Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Mary-Mother-of-the-Redeemer-Catholic-Church/188089864270

(Photo: Mike Doughty)

(Photo: Mike Doughty)

(Photo: Janotta & Herner)

(Photo: Janotta & Herner)

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In other news, this is what it looks like when a steeple starts to come down:

St. James Catholic Church, Chicago IL. (After a long delayed promise of posting, here is one picture. I will make a detailed post when demolition is completed.)

Sorrowful Mother Shrine, Norwalk

Post card with chapel labeled as the Margaret Fisher Memorial.

Sorrowful Mother Shrine, Norwalk

The "other" Sorrowful Mother Shrine (not the more famous one in Bellevue). This chapel was commissioned by the Fisher Brothers, natives of Norwalk who moved to the Detroit area for the Fisher Body Company. Interior photos and more of the story HERE.

Just moments ago

Just from my house and at St. Mary's this evening. Thought it might be interesting to viewers. These are tonights storms rolling in.

except for that picture ^ That is from two years ago when Norwalk was flooded. That storm front moving in just reminded me of it.

May Crowning

Jay Anderson has posted good pictures of the May crowning at the Early Childhood Center of the Norwalk Catholic School, at Pro Ecclesia .

Sorrowful Mother Shrine, Norwalk

The other Sorrowful Mother Shrine

This is the shrine here in Norwalk. It was built by St. Paul's in the 30's i believe. Where it stands now was where the former St. Peter's church used to stand.

I was able to gain access to it today, amazingly. The place is always locked, except for summer masses on Wednesday nights. You'd think that a shrine like this would be open at least during the day, or on the weekends.

The "Fishers" mentioned in this tablet are the Fishers who were part of the Fisher Body Company. Hence, where the dough came from to build the place.

St. Paul, Norwalk

St. Mary, Norwalk

Our Lady of Guadalupe mass, St. Paul Norwalk

I arrived a bit too late for the play they do beforehand. Oh well.

Top Photo : Front page of the Norwalk Reflector.

St. Peter, Norwalk (updated)

The cemetery was located directly behind the church. The Shrine of the sorrowful mother (owned by St. Paul's) is in the old St. Peter's place currently. The school and the house, as far as i know, do not exist any longer, but correct me if i'm wrong.

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since the question was posed. I figured i should put the other two pictures i have up.
Above is the first St. Peter's, and where the shrine is today.


The below is the "new" St. Peter's. This would have been just a block or so away from St. Mary's Current church (though it wasn't built yet. I do not know if this was north or south Hester, because that would change some things.

St. Paul, Norwalk

This detail of St. Paul's, before it was turned into such a mess, shows a very large, and very interesting, framed painting above a door. I wonder what became of it.

St. Paul, Norwalk

The old organ

All pictures from around the turn of the century.

St. Mary, Norwalk

Before and the restoration and today.

Sorrowful Mother Shrine, Norwalk

Yes, that's what it's called. There's a photograph of the full structure in the post below. I have to congratulate whoever was responsible for this. You don't usually see anything so elaborate on a small chapel. ( Of course, sometimes that's why small chapels are so pleasant. Simplicity can be a good thing. ) It's a wonderful building.
Photo by Alex Fries.

St. Peter's, Norwalk Ohio

This was the first Catholic "church" in Norwalk. Mass was held in the upstairs of this building until the small community had enough money to build the church pictured below.

Today, this shrine is in the same place the former St. Peter's was. It is owned by St. Paul's Catholic church here in Norwalk and is never really open to the public. Why? who knows... There are masses there every Wednesday evening in the summers, however.