Picture - 1888

Ottoville Church on Dedication Day September 23, 1888, to the right is the steeple of Ottoville's 2nd church, which had yet to be torn down.

From the Diamond Jubilee Souvenir Book

The Building of the Present Church

The period which we are to chronicle in this chapter is the most

important and eventful in the whole history of the parish. For it includes

the greatest work accomplished so far in Ottoville, namely, the

building of the present church. A new church? Yes. It was aheady

more than twenty years since Father Westerholt had laid the cornerstone

of the frame church. According to all human calculations, that

church should have been sufficiently good enough to serve its purpose for

at least half a century. But things turned out quite differently. And it

was all brought about by Father Mueller's energy and activity.

We have seen in the foregoing chapter how, under his guidance and

influence, the wilderness around Ottoville was changed into fertile land

how the forests were cleared; how the swamps were laid dry; how the

country, .step by step, was turned into one of the finest farm sections in

Northwestern Ohio. All this could not fail to bring results. Farmers

are always alert to settle where there is good farm land. And Father

Mueller's personality acted like a magnet to draw and attract farmers in

ever greater numbers around him. Thus the parish continued to grow

year after year, and since Ottoville was from the beginning a Catholic

settlement, it was almost exclusively Catholic farmers who bought land

and settled here.

And thus it carne to pass that our parish, which had not more than

a dozen families in the beginning, had grown to one hundred families

during the first twenty years, and numbered at this time of its history

about two hundred and fifty families. From this we may easily conclude

that the old frame church was no longer large enough to accommodate

all the people. Therefore, Father Mueller began to think seriously of

building a new church, more substantial, more roomy, more worthy as

a place of worship for so large a congregation.

From five financial reports in our Archives, covering the years from

1882 to 1886 inclusive, it can be seen that as early as 1883 Father

Mueller laid his plans for this new church. Because in the report of that

year there appears the following item:--Expenses for fixing Deeds: $60.

No doubt he wanted to make sure of a clear title to his church property

before starting with the contemplated building. He also started a

building fund, because the same report shows a balance on hand at the

end of the year of $2,375.82. As a comparison with present day conditions,

it will be interesting to learn that the Pew Rent for that same

year 1883, amounted to $1,967.24.

In the same year, 1883, it appears that Father Mueller gave orders

to Mr. A. Druiding of Chicago, a prominent church architect, to draw

up plans for a new church at Ottoville. For a long time Mr. Druiding

was engaged with the plans. When they were finished and submitted to

Father Mueller, he was so pleased that he accepted them without hesitation.

As the report for 1884 shows, he paid the architect the sum of

$800. The year 1884 is also noted for another event of national importance,

namely, the Third Plenary Council of the American Hierarchy,

held at Baltimore. The reason this fact is mentioned here is, because

the parish of Ottoville was assessed the sum of $11 as its share in defraying

the expense of it.

To come back to our church, some who saw the plans asserted that

the church could not be built for less than $100,000. This would, no

doubt, have been true for many places, especially large cities. The

people were naturally aroused by these reports, and so much so, that

Father Mueller thought it advisable to lay the whole proposition, along

with the plans, before the Bishop for his decision. After examining the

plans, the Bishop gave his approval and ordered the church to be built.

But in a short time he issued an injunction. No doubt some designing

meddler secured the Bishop' s attention and thus succeeded for the time

being in thwarting the plans of Father Mueller. They convinced the

Bishop that the parish was unable to shoulder so great a burden as the

building of this church would exact, and that it would probably never be

able to pay the debt incurred thereby. But again Father Mueller did not

despair. He took a few architects and contractors along to the Bishop.

These finally succeeded in convincing him that the church could be

built at Ottoville for half the money it would cost at other places. He

also laid before the Bishop the list of subscriptions to the building fund,

which amounted at the time to $30,000. A second time the Bishop gave

his permission, and in a short while peace and harmony were restored in

the parish.

The work was now begun in earnest. A building committee was

appointed, consisting of the following parish members: Charles Wannemacher,

Sr., Gerhard Otto, Sr., Wilhelm Rekart, and John Kalt, who ably

assisted the pastor in this great task. The contract of the building was let

to Frederick Heitz of Delphos, who, however, did not live to see the work

completed. He died after a short illness. A new contract was then

awarded to Anthony De Curtins of Carthagena, Ohio, to complete the

work.

The greatest task in the erection of such a building, was to secure

the necessary number of bricks. Mr. Anton Gerhardstein of Bismarck,

Ohio, received the contract to furnish 1,200,000 bricks. As the parish

owned excellent clay ground adapted to the manufacture of bricks.

it was decided to produce them here, and the services of Mr. Henry

Ernst, of Bismarck, Ohio, an able and experienced brickmaker, were

secured to supervise this great task. The people had to furnish the

wood for the burning; the contractor, however, had to pay for the wood

which was thus a donation to the church. Mr. Gerhardstein received

$4.50 per M. brick, 100,000 to 150,000 was the capacity of the kiln,

and it took two years to make the required number.

Conrad Studer, who lived on a farm adjacent to the Church property

(now John Plescher's farm) burned the lime for the building and furnished

the rough stone for the foundation. Dressed lime stone for the

upper three tiers of the stone work was secured from Piqua and shipped

by way of the canal. Constantine Sherger of Delphos, furnished the sandstone

for the church, and). Burkhart had the contract for the masonry

and bricklaying. The busiest period in the history of Ottoville had begun.

Work on the foundation progressed so rapidly that on June 7, 1885,

amid great solemnities, the cornerstone was laid. The ceremony was

performed by the Rev. Felix M. Boff. Vicar General. He also delivered

the English sermon, and Father Francis Nigsch, C. PP. S. of Glandorf,

preached in German. The following priests assisted: Rev. A. I. Hoeffel

of Delphos, Rev. John Heiland of Landeck, Rev. James Heidegger of

Fort Jennings, and the Rev. J. A. Michenfelder of New Bavaria. This

solemn ceremony was a great encouragement to the parish. All looked

forward to the great day when the house of God should be a reality, so

with renewed vigor they put their energies to the great work which progressed

as rapidly as the furnishing of means and materials would allow~

It took indeed a great amount of patience, as well as many, many sacrifices.

Yes, sacrifices. The older members of the parish will remember

them, no doubt. The financial reports show that the building was

erected at a cost of $51,000, exclusive of labor and materials donated

by the generous parishioners. The interior equipments were procured

at an outlay of $ 7,000. The remaining debt at the time of the dedication,

was $5,900, from which it can be seen that the people made great

and heroic sacrifices during these years. And what makes this fact all

the more remarkable and worthy of mention is that they were for the

greater part, poor people who lived in primitive log houses anti were

frequently in want. But they had both faith and confidence in God,

which explains much. Neither did they make a mistake in figuring as

they did. They prospered, and many of them became well to do. This

was the result of their exceedingly great generosity toward Almighty

God for whom they had built a house. They might have found many

and good excuses when their pastor approached them for a donation.

They could have pointed out to him the poor shacks in which they lived,

telling him that they had first to look out for themselves before they

could think of giving something towards a new church. They could, have

mentioned the heavy personal debts which burdened them, asking him

whether it were not better to pay these off before placing new ones, still

heavier, upon their shoulders. But this was not their attitude. They built

their church, taking great pride in the work. As for themselves and

their affairs, they trusted in God's Providence. Of such metal were the

old pioneers made who helped to build up Ottoville and who helped to

build the new church. A number of them are still living in our midst.

Fortunate indeed, was it for Ottoville that they were of such sturdy faith

and such unbounded generosity ; because it has often been asked whether

our present generation, with all its wealth, with all its money, would be

able to build a church such as we have, and to this day that question

has not been answered.

Thus three and one-half years passed by, years of hope, endurance

and sacrifice. Gradually the walls and towers rose higher; until finally

the majestic edifice stood complete in all perfection and beauty, a mighty

sentinel holding watch over the people,a landmark indeed for the

whole countryside. The architect, Mr. Druiding, could well boast that

this church was one of his masterpieces. It is a fine type of true Gothic

architecture. It has a length of 175 feet, and a general width of 78 feet,

while the transept is 100 feet wide. Two majestic towers adorn the

front, rising to a height of 180 feet over three wide portals. The interior

of the church is divided into three naves; the middle nave is 50 feet

high, while the two side naves are each 38 feet high. The beautiful

vaulted ceiling is supported by two rows of Corinthian pillars. The proportions

of the church are indeed so excellent, that its magnitude fails

to impress a mere casual observer. The church dominates the entire

village, and viewed from a distance looms up against the horizon like a

majestic Cathedral. The building proper was completed, but financial

conditions did not permit the completion of the interior with new furniEhings.

The altars and the pews of the old church served for the new

church for a number of years. Some generous parishioners, however,

donated beautiful art glass windows through which the soft and diffused

light permeated the entire church suitable to a house of Divine worship.

The cost of these was $1,72 0.93.

One tragic incident in connection with the building must be mentioned

here. The church was all finished; no accident of any kind had

marred the enthusiasm of the people and workingmen all through the

building operations, when, almost at the last moment, one of the workingmen,

while attending to something in one of the towers, made a

misstep and fell. He was instantly killed. His name was Joseph Miller

of Carthagena, Ohio. R. I. P.

Now at last the long desired day drew near, the day, which stands

out as the brightest and greatest in the history of our parish: the day of

the dedication of the new church. It was on a Sunday, Sept. 23, 1888.

The day marked a great and festive occasion. Large crowds of people

came from far and near to witness the ceremony; they came from Toledo,

Maumee, New Bavaria, North Creek by the way of the Clover Leaf;

three boats on the Miami and Erie Canal brought visitors from Delphos,

Defiance, Hamler and Melrose; others came on foot or wagons from

Fort Jennings, Kalida and Glandorf. The number of people was estimated

at five thousand. Besides our local Brass Band, three visiting

Bands from Delphos, Melrose and Fort Jennings furnished the music

for the occasion. The church and town had put on a festive attire.

The walks leading to the church were fringed with trees, from which

gay garlands were dangling in the air; various emblems and appropriate

inscriptions were also conspicuously displayed.

The Ordinary of the Diocese, the Right Reverend Richard Gilmour

of Cleveland, was expected to arrive by way of Fort Jennings. To

receive him in a worthy manner, the visiting priests, together with Father

Mueller and the members of the parish, had assembled at the point

where the Fort Jennings road meets the outskirts of Ottoville. Promptly

at ten o'clock His Lordship arrived and was led in solemn procession to

the Rectory. The procession was formed in the following manner:

Crossbearer and Acolytes, Cornet Band, the boys who were to receive

the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Clergy with the Right Rev. Bishop,

the girls who were to be confirmed, the St. Joseph's Sodality with their

banner and insignia, the Altar Society with their Banner. After a brief

period of rest in the rectory, the Bishop was led in procession to the new

church which he then dedicated with all the solemnity prescribed by the

Ritual for such an occasion.

Immediately following the dedicatory ceremonies, the pastor of

Ottoville, the Rev. Michael Mueller, sang the First Solemn High Mass

in the new edifice, assisted by the Rev. Francis Nigsh, C. PP. S. of

Glandorf, as Deacon, and the Rev. Rochus Schuely, C. PP. S., of Kalida,

as Sub-deacon. The Rev. A. J. Hoeffel of Delphos, was Master of Ceremonies.

His Lordship, the Right Reverend Bishop, assisted from his

throne in the Sanctuary; his Deacons of Honor were Rev. Fathers John B.

Heiland of Landeck, and J. Heidegger of Fort Jennings. After the Gospel,

Father Heidegger preached an eloquent sermon in German. After

Communion, Bishop Gilmour addressed the congregation, congratulating

pastor and people on the truly marvelous results of their mutual co-operation

in rearing such a magnificent temple to God's honor. The solemnity

was enhanced by the noble efforts of Organist Gard and his choir, who

rendered the sacred music in a manner befitting such an exceptional

occasion. The ceremonies were concluded at one o'clock.

At three o'clock in the afternoon His Lordship administered the

Sacrament of Confirmation. After a solemn exhortation, he began with

the examination of the youth to be confirmed. There were 307 in all,

262 of which belonged to Ottoville, and 45 to Kalida. Joseph Wannemacher,

Sr., and John Byrne acted as sponsors for the boys, while Mrs.

Gerhard Otte, and Mrs. Charles Wannemacher, Sr., were sponsors for

the girls. After all were confirmed, there followed Solemn Benediction

with the Blessed Sacrament, and as a fitting dose of all, as their most

natural expression of gratitude to Almighty God for all the favors bestowed

upon them thus far, the grand Anthem of "Grosser Gott, wir

loben Dich" was jubilantly rendered by the whole congregation.

As Director of the festivities which followed the ceremonies in the

church, Mr. Gerhart Otte was the right man in the right place. His assistants

were August Kehres, Nick Lauer, Henry Martin and Bernard

Loser, who maintained the best of order. Dinner and supper were served

in the open by the ladies of the parish. The Bands furnished plenty of

good music, and other entertainments befitting such a joyful occasion,

were not lacking. We were not blessed yet in those days with Prohibition,

and everybody was enjoying himself in a real "German fashion," if

you know what that means. It showed that the German, while truly

devout, is nevertheless not narrow-minded; he knows how to combine

true godly piety with true Christian cheerfulness.

6-18-1885 PCS

Ottoville Items

The grandest day for Ottoville since its settlement was that of last Sunday, the 7^th inst., the occasion of the laying of the cornerstone of the new Catholic Church. Thousands of people poured in from all directions early in the morning. In the afternoon a large delegation came from Ft. Jennings, headed by their band. The packets brought a large crowd from Delphos. The band, headed by F. H. J. Moening, of Delphos, also came over to attend the celebration. The Ottoville band was also on duty. The ceremonies were conducted by Rev. Buff, in the absence of the R. R. Bishop, assisted by Rev. A. Hoefel, of Delphos, Rev. Heiland, of Landeck, Rev. Frank Nigsch, of Glandorf, Rev. Heidecker, of Ft. Jennings, and Rev. Muller, pastor at Ottoville. After the laying of the corner-stone several impressive sermons in English and German were delivered by the clergyman present. The bands alternately discoursed some fine music on the occasion, and we must acknowledge that their pieces were excellent. They were well trained, their conduct was gentlemanly, and they deserve the highest praise for what they done to enliven the occasion the most delightful weather prevailed the whole day, and late in the evening the people departed for their homes. Not a disturbance of any kind interrupted the good feeling of those present, and all in all it may be said that it was a grand time in Ottoville. The work on the building is now progressing lively. The window frames, manufactured by Grass & Brown, are about to be placed in the walls this week. The building is beginning to show up and is admired by thousands, and no doubt, when completed, it will be the grandest structure of the kind in Northwestern Ohio.

St. Mary’s Church at Ottoville

A Magnificent Structure Costing Over

$50,000, --- Over 4,000 People Present

The event of the year in church circles in this county took place last Sunday by the dedication of one of the finest Catholic churches in northwestern Ohio, recently erected at Ottoville.

            The occasion drew together over 4,000 people to witness the exercises, and the ceremony was one of great interest to all present. The exercise was conducted by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Gilmour, of Cleveland, assisted by Revs. Heiland, of Landeck’, Hoeffel, of Delphos; Nigsch, of Glandorf; Richus, of Kalida, and Miller, of Ottoville.

Bishop Gilmour was received by an immense concourse of people, and a procession was formed of the Catholic societies, citizens and children, interspersed by bands from Ft. Jennings, Delphos, Melrose and Ottoville. After the procession reached the church, Bishop Gilmour made a brief address, which was followed by Father Heiland, after which the usual ceremonies took place.      

During the afternoon services 307 children were confirmed, 262 of them belonging to the Ottoville congregation and 45 were from the Kalida congregation.

The new church building is a structure 174x85 feet and is substantially built of brick and beautifully decorated. It cost about $50,000 and is of handsome architecture. At the head of this article we give you a view of the front elevation of the building.

During the day liberal subscriptions were received for the payment of the expense of construction of the edifice, and we are informed that a comparatively small sum is only required to clear all indebtedness.