Wednesday, May 3, 2023

St. Aloysius Catholic Church - Carthagena, Ohio
















 St. Aloysius Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic church in Carthagena, Ohio. Built in the late nineteenth century, it remains the home of an active parish, and it has been designated a historic site because of its well-preserved architecture. Back in the 1800s, as its membership grew, the parish decided to construct a church building. Plans were laid, and construction began in 1875; the cornerstone was laid in May 1877, and the church was consecrated on June 30, 1878;  the parishioners had performed the construction work themselves. Under the pastorate of Gregory Jüssel, the church was greatly modified in the summer of 1905; only the tower and three of the walls remain from the original structure. The modification included the addition of a sacristy, the placement of the present stained glass windows, and the expansion of the sanctuary. The architect was Anton DeCurtins, who designed the church in the Gothic Revival architectural style. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on July 26, 1979. GPS: 40.43653°N, -84.57007°W.

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

St. Rose Catholic Church Complex - St. Rose, Ohio















St. Rose Catholic Church Complex in St. Rose, Ohio. Complex includes church, rectory, and one room schoolhouse. The church was built in 1912 in a High Gothic Revival Style, designed by DeCurtins, a Swiss immigrant who lived in Carthagena, Ohio. Located adjacent to the church on the west is a three-story rectory. Built in 1905 at a cost of $6,000. Located adjacent to the church on the east is the single-story St. Rose schoolhouse, former parish school, built in 1892. Built as a one-room school, the building was modified in 1941 and converted into a two-room school. It operated until closure in 1957. After its closure, the old school was modified to be a parish hall and a recreation center. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on July 26, 1979. GPS: 40.40742°N, -84.51506°W.

Calvin E. Riley House - Celina, Ohio












Calvin E. Riley House in Celina, Ohio. Calvin Erastus was born in 1830 and came to the Celina area as an adult when he engaged in farming and milling. He became a partner in a private banking business which was incorporated in 1893, and later merged into the Commercial Bank Company of Celina. In 1896, Calvin had this elaborate Queen Anne architectural style house built. Following Calvin into the leadership of the Commercial Bank was his son Ashley, grandson Roscoe, and great-grandson David K. Riley. Calvin passed away 1914. James Zura Riley, another son of Calvin's, daughter Lena, who died in 1974, was the last Riley to live in the house. The house has mostly remained unchanged since it was built. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on November 30, 1978. GPS: 40.54881N, -84.56951W.

Senator Thomas J. Godfrey House - Celina, Ohio
















 Senator Thomas J. Godfrey House in Celina, Ohio. The house is architecturally significant because it is the finest and best preserved example of Victorian Gothic style in northwestern Ohio. The house was two years in planning by Dayton, Ohio architect, Luther Peters, and took two years to construct by local builders. The bricks were made on a nearby farmland. The house was finished being built in 1876. This house has historical significance as the home that was built for and lived in by Senator Thomas Godfrey. Godfrey was born in Darke County on June 6, 1831. He was educated as a teacher and later graduated law school at the University of Cincinnati. He came to Celina in 1857. In 1863, he was elected prosecuting attorney of Mercer County. In 1865 and 1867, he was elected State Senator. In 1881, he was reelected State Senator. Godfrey died November 30, 1906, and was buried at North Grove Cemetery in Celina. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on November 26, 1980. GPS: 40.54848°N, -84.57907°W.