About Our Church
------------------ last updated 07/14/2004 -----------------
Holy Family Church - 814 Hawthorne Ave. - Cincinnati, OH 45205 - 513 921-7527
Holy Family Church was dedicated on August 24th, 1884. The total cost of the new Church was $8,060.61. The two room school and the pastor's residence were located in the Church bbuilding.
Reverend John H. Menke was appointed as first pastor of Holy Family Church by Archbishop Elder. He served in this capacity until he tendered his resignation on the advice of his physician on August, 22nd, 1897. He died 3 months later. He was succeeded as pastor by Father Alfred Drufner.
Library Hall on Price Avenue was purchased in 1905 and the school classrooms were moved from the Church basement to the newly purchased building. Due to the rapid growth of the parish, it became necessary to have the school building renovated. Upon completion, the building that has become known today as Holy Family School was dedicated by Archbishop Moeller on April 9, 1911. The Gymnasium Association took root and the space under the old school building was converted to a parish recreation center.
As the parish continued to grow plans for a larger Church were initiated by Father Drufner, who died suddenly in 1912 before the completion of the new Church. The continuation of this task was then passed on to Father Anthony Runnenbaum, appointed pastor in 1912. The Holy Family Church that stands today was dedicated by Archbishop Moeller on June 18, 1916, at a cost of $175,000.00.
Under the personal direction of Emil Frei the stained glass windows were created. The windows in the sanctuary depict the four great sacrifices of the Old Testament, the sacrifices of Abel, Noah, Isaac by Abraham and Melchizedek. The main windows, located in the body of the Church, picture the five joyful mysteries and events in the life of the Holy Family.
The school continued to swell and it became obvious that the building was not large enough to accommodate all the children. In 1924 land was purchased on the corner of Hawthorne & Price Avenues. 1925 brought the construction of the New School Building situated on the property on Price Avenue. This building housed students in the upper grades.
In April of 1925, on the land parcel of Hawthorne Avenue, construction began on present rectory. November of 1926 saw construction begin on the Convent at the corner of West Eighth & Grand Avenues. All these new and renovated buildings were completed under the guidance of Monsignor George Geers, who assumed pastoral responsibilities in April, 1924.
Also under the authority of Monsignor Geers, the redecoration of the Church was begun by artist Gerhard Lamers. His magnificent artwork brought great beauty and splendor to the Church. In the center dome he painted the twelve apostles surrounding Christ The King. Beneath each Apostle, Lamers inscribed several versus of 'The Apostles Creed'.
Gerhard Lamers chose to symbolize many doctrines and practices of the Church. The seven sacraments are located over the main altar dome. The four cardinal virtues are found at the four corners (NSEW) of the center dome. The eight beatitudes are positioned between the center dome columns. And lastly, the Crucifixion, Resurrection and the Ascension surrounding the main altar.
Holy Family celebrated its Golden Jubilee on October 14th, 1934. The Mass was officiated by Archbishop Vehr, Archbishop McNicholas, Bishop Albers and joined by all the priests who celebrated their first Mass at Holy Family. In preparation for the Golden Jubilee parishioners donated 65 ounces of gold, 65 ounces of silver and over 100 precious stones. These materials were used in a Monstrance presented as a 50th anniversary gift to the Church.
Monsignor John Kuhn became pastor December 10, 1946. The parish at that time had 1500 families and a school enrollment of 518. In 1949 under his direction the undercroft of the Church was renovated and converted into the Holy Family cafeteria/parish center, allowing for meetings, parish dinners, dances and hot lunches for the school children. The cafeteria features Rookwood tiles used on the serving counter and pieces of Rookwood sculpture on the walls behind the counter. Monsignor Kuhn also began work on a parish garden in 1956. This became known as the Victory Garden.
Monsignor John Kuhn departed Holy Family Parish in December 1959 to assume responsibility as Pastor of St. Lawrence Church. 1959 - 1960 found the largest school enrollment in years, over 700 children. The average Sunday Church attendance was 2,348.
Father Frederick Bein became pastor of Holy Family Parish in 1959. Under his care, and the direction of Vatican II, the new marble altar facing and congregation was installed and the communion rails were lowered. The altar was dedicated by Bishop McCarthy on October 23, 1966. Father Bein's intense interest in the youth led to the growth of the Scouting programs to several hundred members. A Youth Club was implemented and the youth of our parish were encouraged to serve the parish as well as the community.
Reverend Joseph Meinerding appointed pastor in 1967, guided the parish through the Vatican II liturgy changes, including the introduction of the English Mass, the first Saturday evening Mass and the use of missalettes.
As the suburbs grew in popularity and the younger couples preferred to move further west a decline in enrollment began to take shape. Many of the parishioners were relocating and registering in suburban parishes.
On June 15th, 1972 a co-pastorate was formed with neighgboring Our Lady of Grace Church. Father Robert Strassell (Holy Family) and Father Raymond Weimeyer (Our Lady of Grace) both resided at the Holy Family rectory. The schools also consolidated with grades 1-4 attending classes at OLG and grades 5-8 using the Holy Family facilities. With Father Weimeyer's departure in 1978 and the introduction of Father Garland as Pastor of OLG, the co-pastorate ended.
Fr. Strassell continuing as Pastor of Holy Family Parish introduced a new and more effective Parish Council by establishing five new commissions; Liturgy, Temporalities, Education, Communication and Parish Life and Service. He also introduced to the parish its first Reconciliation Room, making available open confessions.
In 1984 Holy Family Church kicked-off its Centennial celebration with a year long schedule of events. Activities ranged from a Centennial Commemorative Program given by our school children , a parish day at the Red's game, a Holy Family parish family picnic... to the Centennial Finale, Mass followed by a sit-down dinner.
The years 1988 and 1989 brought much change to our parish. Two neighboring parishes, Our Lady of Grace and Our Lady of Perpetual Help closed and merged with Holy Family Parish.
Father Robert Putnik, appointed pastor of Holy Family in 1985, was pastor in residence at the time of the merger. Father James Meade, pastor of both Our Lady of Grace and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, was asked to reside at Holy Family to assist with the transition. Establishing the position of co-pastors for the unification of Holy Family Parish was integral for the representation of all and the success of the merger. The following year Father Jim was reassigned and Father Putnik assumed total responsibility for the newly united Parish. Father Putnik continued in this capacity until his retirement in 1990.
Holy Family was honored to receive items from both merging parishes. The Tabernacle from Our Lady of Grace is used daily in the Prayer Room, the statue of Our Lady of Grace has been placed in the back of Church. The majestic organ located at Our Lady of Perpetual Help was moved to our choir loft, an Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is positioned on the rear Church wall and their bells now toll from the spires of Holy Family.
Father Mark J. Burger, appointed pastor in 1991, is responsible for making many needed changes in our parish. His ability to preach & teach lent itself to yearly Parish Retreats and Bible Studies, thus planting many spiritual seeds. He established a parish leadership team by creating the positions of Pastoral Musician and Director of Ministry. Also under his guidance the Capital Fund Drive was established, allowing for many over do building and ground improvements. Father Mark was reassigned in June 2002, just a few months short of the opening of the St. Anne Parish Ministry Center, his final undertaking.
On August 15, 2002, feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, the Reverend Steve J. Angi presided at the first Mass as pastor of Holy Family Parish. He came from a two year assignment in China and was warmly welcomed at Holy Family. Father Steve has proven to be a man (Pastor) on the move! In addition to presiding at Masses, he makes it a point to attend all meetings of the different ministries and organizations in the parish, participating at all parish events along with daily jogs through the neighborhood. Father Steve has lad the Holy Family Parish not only in continued spiritual growth but also firmed up the parish's commitment to the temporal needs of its members. He has also led the parish in its involvement in civic affairs and social causes. His daily 5:00 AM jog has put him in touch with the neighborhood that is not usually seen during the daylight hours.
Under his leadership, the monthly Youth Mass was started, sacraments, including infant baptisms, weddings and annointing of the sick, are conferred in the context of the Mass. He has also firmed up the pastoral staff by hiring a youth minister, a pastoral associate/director of liturgy and two part-time parish nurses. He is also spearheading the continued renovation of the physical plant of the parish. Under his leadership, 2004 will see the complete renovation of the precious artwork in the interior of the church.
He continues to move the parish forward with energy, vision and purpose.
For additional information regarding the treasure Holy Family truly is, click here.