St. Joseph, Maumee Bells

In March 2024, the pastor at St. Joseph Church in Maumee gave me access to the bell tower. It was really cool to see the bells up close and I also got some photos as well. 

The Church has 3 bells. First is the bourdon bell (on the right). It rings a D# tone. Next is the middle bell (on the left). It rings a G tone. Finally the smallest bell (below) It rings an A# tone.  

Bell towers were not intended on being climbed up by normal people like me. That is why the staircase is so steep. The wooden square in the middle is a hatch door and is what I would assume the way they got the bells up in the tower before cranes were invented. The wall at the top of the image houses the organ blower.

 

On the left is the ladder that leads to the belfry. The concrete pile on the wall is the spot where the St. Joseph statue is. At the bottom of the image is the air conditioning for the church.

The view of Broadway St. from the belfry

Additional photos of the stained glass

Good Shepherd's Statues at St. Joseph, Maumee

 

Just recently, the pastor at St. Joseph, Maumee acquired 5 statues from Good Shepherd Church in Toledo. Currently, the St. Michael, St. Joseph and Blessed Virgin Mary statues are in storage waiting to be restored and preserved. However, the Pieta and Good Shepherd statues are on display with the Pieta statue in the family center and the Good Shepherd statue in the new school addition. 

The Good Shepherd statue, which used to be on the main high altar, seems to be very well preserved, however his staff is missing

The Pieta statue is also well preserved, however there are many paint chips on the statue.  

Sacred Symbols at Crestline

As part of the renovation of St. Joseph Church in Crestline, architect Daniel DeGreve produced an illustrated guide to the sacred symbols of the church.  It explains everything from the shape of the structure itself to smaller details, such as selection of color and stencil design.  Photos from the church’s history are included too.  A remarkable work -- it would be very useful to anyone working on a similar parish project.

Above:  Geometry of the Pointed (Gothic) Arch.

 The floor plan of our church and the 'Body of Christ.'

St. Joseph, Maumee

St. Joseph, Plymouth

I wasn't able to visit inside the church, but hope to sometime. 

Statue of St. Joseph in front.

St. Joseph, Fremont

An interesting look at the renovation and restoration of Fremont St. Joseph church, at the Conrad Schmitt Studios website: Click HERE.

St. Joseph, Plymouth

Postcard showing north window of St. Joseph church in Plymouth. Caption says, "God the Creator is portrayed by a large hand stretching forth into space emanating rays of light and bringing into being the burst of creation."

St. Joseph, Crestline

Christmas decorations in the newly renovated St. Joseph church.

St. Joseph, Fremont

From the previous winter, of course.

St. Joseph, Crestline

Be sure to check out the slide show at the Catholic Chronicle to see renovations at St Joseph Church in Crestline. Click HERE.

You can view other photos and drawings of the plans HERE.

St. Joseph, Fremont

St. Joseph, Maumee - 1934

A photo from the 1934 Diocesan Year Book. The church had been severely damaged by a fire on May 1, 1933 and was restored. The Year Book notes, "Three new bells presented to the parish by Mr. G.F. Mouen were solemnly blessed by the Most Reverend Bishop on New Year's Eve."

St. Joseph, Maumee

St. Joseph parish in Maumee has completed the renovations to its church, with impressive results.

A bit of humor in this decorative painting -- note how the green ball has "fallen" from above.

View from the balcony.

"Go ye into His presence with joy." (Above the main entrance door.)


The church was built in 1888. More details on the renovation HERE.

St. Joseph, Crestline

Photos by Daniel DeGreve.

St. Joseph, Crestline

From the past to the future. This is looking very interesting. Thanks to Daniel DeGreve for the photographs. More on the way tomorrow.

St. Joseph, Crestline

I got these pictures in an e-mail from Daniel DeGreve. The restoration seems to be progressing well. Look forward to seeing the finished product.

St. Joseph, Fremont