James Schlosser, Organist

James Schlosser served as organist at Toledo St. Hedwig's, and helped start music programs at St. Adelbert's and St. Mary Magdalene's in Rossford. Born in West Prussia in 1862, he emigrated to the U.S., first to Milwaukee, then moving to Toledo in 1885, where he worked as a cigar maker.

From a History of Northwest Ohio, by Nevin O. Winter (1917), available HERE.

Immaculate Conception, Raab

Photos from "Souvenir of the Dedication of the Immaculate Conception Church, Raab, Ohio, May 17th, 1925." The previous church was destroyed by a tornado ("cyclone") on March 21, 1920. Bishop Samuel Stritch was present for the dedication.



The booklet lists the contributions from each parish in the diocese, and adds, "It should be noted here that after the cyclone in 1920, when sight-seers were numerous in Raab, on several Sundays collections were taken up amongst them . . . " Another article about the tornado can be viewed HERE.

Raab was later known as Marygrove, and is now a part of Holy Trinity parish in Assumption.

Tiffin's Ursuline College - Another Plan

Toledo architect Edward Fallis drew plans for Ursuline College (Academy) in Tiffin in 1887. A much simpler structure was actually built -- click HERE.

Many thanks to St. Croix Architecture in Stillwater, MN for sharing the image. St. Croix offers an amazing selection of original, hand-colored, antique 19th century architectural plans, prints, and photos. There are buildings, churches, and homes from hundreds of cities in the United States, Canada and Europe designed by the foremost and famous architects of the 19th and 20th centuries. You can search their collection HERE.

Elsewhere

Statue of St. Patrick, outside St. Clarence church in North Olmsted, Ohio.

In the Compendium

Recently noticed that a painting from the Toledo Museum of Art, El Greco's "Prayer of Jesus in the Garden," is featured in the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It illustrates the chapter on the Lord's Prayer.

Sorrowful Mother Shrine, Bellevue

St. Joseph, Fremont

With the Sandusky County Courthouse to the right. (I think that is a fountain in the foreground -- looks ominous in winter.)


Note the detail with cattails, ferns, leaves and flowers.


Guardians of the air conditioner . . .

Open House at Our Lady of Consolation

Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 4:00 pm - free and open to the public.

As part of Christian unity week, the Friars and Staff of the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation are hosting a special afternoon for everyone to learn about the happenings of this historic and holy shrine.

Come and hear stories about this church’s history, the many miracles that have taken place, what a Basilica is and more! You will also have an opportunity for a guided tour. More information HERE.

Pews in Progress

Pictured above, pews for Rosary Cathedral carved by German native Bruno Weber, at his Columbus home and studio in 1931.

Weber’s work can also be seen at Detroit’s Assumption Grotto parish – click HERE – and at St. Joseph’s in Tiffin.

Many thanks to Weber’s grandson John Rees for sharing the photo.

St. Wendelin, Fostoria

One of the Stations of the Cross.


The statues of Mary and Joseph date from the 1940s.

Immaculate Conception, Bellevue

A Christmas scene at the second Immaculate Conception church in Bellevue, around 1900.

You can download a copy of their parish history from their website HERE.

Diocesan History Book

Just a reminder that the centennial History of the Diocese of Toledo is still available -- features photos and a short history of every parish in the diocese. It's available online through Our Lady of Consolation's gift shop here; individual parishes were also selling the book.

Christmas at OLC Shrine

Restoration of the stained glass windows continues . . .

Catholic Architects

"Architects in America of Catholic Tradition," a 1962 book by Francis Kervick, can be accessed and searched online here:

http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015014054434

All Saints, Rossford

St. Mary Magdalen

St. Methodius

St. Cyril

All Saints parish in Rossford was formed in 1990, bringing together two parishes -- Ss. Cyril and Methodius and St. Mary Magdalen. (For more photos of the impressive exterior, enter "Rossford" in the search box above.)

Christmas on a Steamboat, 1843

After a long journey sailing from Europe, Precious Blood Fr. Francis Brunner and his party of 7 priests and 7 students arrived in New Orleans on Dec. 21, 1843. From New Orleans, the group traveled the Mississippi River by steamboat to Cincinnati, where they would receive their assignments in Northern Ohio from Bishop Purcell.

“Before midnight all arose, recited matins in common, and then celebrated the midnight Masses. Lauds in common followed. By this time they were able to celebrate the second Mass of Christmas, as the first rays of dawn reddened the sky. When these Masses were completed, the sun had risen and the third Masses of Christmas were offered. Thus, with the celebration of twenty-four Masses upon a steamboat moving up the Mississippi, the Society observed its first Christmas in America.”

From Paul Knapke’s History of the American Province of the Society of the Precious Blood, Vol. 1.

St. Patrick, Bascom

Built in 1914.

"The Infant Christ" at Toledo Museum of Art

The Toledo Museum of Art has added The Infant Christ by Spanish 17th-century sculptor Juan Martínez Montañés (1568–1649) to its collection.

More details HERE and at the Museum web site. "All Art News" notes, "The sculpture has strong resonance with the Museum’s Spanish 17th-century paintings, including St. Joseph and the Christ Child and Murillo’s The Adoration of the Magi, all on view in the Great Gallery."

St. Mary, Tiffin

St. Paul, Norwalk