Picture - Second Church

Ottoville's second Church, taken somewhere near grain elevator. Note canal bridge in foreground.

From Page 28 Diamond Jubilee Souvenir Book

                 The infant days of the parish had now passed. Under the pastorate of Father Westerholt began the period of its youth and becoming conscious of itself, it gave signs of independent life.

                 The congregation originally so small in number that a room in a pioneer's home could accommodate all at divine services, had increased to such a membership that it became expedient, nay imperative, to build a new church edifice.

                 This was no light task for any man in those days since the people, no matter how anxious and willing and ready they were to make sacrifices, were pioneers, and therefore poor. they were for the most part still engaged in clearing the forests and draining the swamps. they lived from hand to mouth and cash money was exceedingly scarce with them. However, they were in need of a new church. with confidence in the people and trust in God, Father Westerholt put himself to the task and made his plans. The building finally decided upon, was a frame structure, 80 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 26 feet high, with a tower 100 feet in height. it was to be of Gothic design in its main outline.

                  The people had to furnish the material for the building. Every farmer had to deliver on the grounds a certain number of beams, hewed square. Practically all of the timber was of solid oak and walnut. Money, as mentioned above was exceedingly scarce; but the people rendered such service as they could and through their cooperation the building of the church was made possible. The cash outlay for the church was estimated to be about $3,000, a large sum of money under the circumstances. When all the preparations were completed, Father Westerholt engaged Mr. Frederick Heitz of Delphos as contractor, and on the ninth day of September 1860 he himself laid the cornerstone for his new church. The collections amounted to $60.78.

                  The new edifice was dedicated in November 1862 by the Rt. Rev. Amadeus Rappe, Bishop of Cleveland. old settlers remember that, on the occasion a mass of snow sliding down the roof covered his lordship and assisting clergy. From church records we know the collection on this occasion amounted to $19.18.
                  True, the tower was not built, and the interior not yet finished; still the people had a "real church" now, and one large enough for their ever increasing numbers.