Catholicism is inherently beautiful, and Tim Langenderfer knew this from a young age. Langenderfer grew up attending Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, which was “the most beautiful cathedral,” he said. Here, he found a deep appreciation for the beauty of the Mass and Catholicism.

Langenderfer’s appreciation for beauty translated to his art classes in school. “There comes a time when you realize, and your teachers tell you, you’re more talented than the others.” The more he pursued art, the more he loved it. Langenderfer studied studio art at Ohio University; afterward, his career took off. He worked as an illustrator for many notable publications, including The Chicago Tribune and Golf Magazine. He drew caricatures of important figures for newspapers and started his own company. Professionally, he was a huge success.

Yet, there was a disconnect between his Catholic faith and his lifestyle, and Langenderfer said he “got lazy”. He took the beauty of the Catholic faith for granted. It got to a certain point where he decided he needed to make a change. So, he did a deep dive into his heart and lifestyle, and came to a conclusion.

“If I believe what I profess to believe,” he said, “how do I need to change? Because if I believe this, I need to act like it.”

It was then that Langenderfer took ownership of his faith.

Langenderfer had many experiences with the Lord that solidified his Catholic belief, and his posture of heart shifted drastically. He was inspired and influenced by many great priests in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, especially Father Benedict O’Cinnsealaigh. The pair met when they were both at the University of Dayton, Langenderfer as an adjunct professor, and Father O’Cinnsealaigh at the Marian Research Institute.

Father O’Cinnsealaigh was the one who told Langenderfer that his faith and art should be united. This set the wheels in Langenderfer’s brain turning.

“I went from drawing caricatures to painting beautiful religious art,” he said. “My goal became beauty. And I always try to start with a prayer. I notice a difference in my art when I pray before I work. It’s always better, more beautiful.”

Langenderfer called to a higher standard not only himself but also his art. “God showed up in my art,” he said.

He was rebuilding his career with a new type of success, one that was noticed by Catholics across the country. In 2005, Christendom College reached out and commissioned him to paint a portrait of Pope Benedict XVI. This was just the beginning. He was commissioned to paint Pope Benedict XVI a second time. Then, Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati came knocking, commissioning Langenderfer to paint the official portraits of the archbishops of Cincinnati. He painted Archbishop Pilarczyk, Archbishop Schnurr, and even his good friend Father O’Cinnsealaigh.

Yet, God wasn’t done using Langenderfer’s artwork for the betterment of the kingdom. “I wasn’t really looking for a change. My wife suggested I look at employment opportunities on the archdiocesan website, and there was the position at Lehman High School, just waiting for me,” he said.

“Teaching became a new passion,” Langederfer said. Through the inspiration of his colleagues, he found a new goal.

“Our primary responsibility is getting souls to heaven,” said Joe Schiemising, a theology teacher with whom Langenderfer worked.

This was a wake up call. “Everything needs to be Christ-centered,” Langenderfer said. His classroom approach became theologically focused; he would bring topics from the students’ theology classes into his art class. On Fridays, when the students had Mass and confession, they would discuss the beauty and art of the Mass. As the pinnacle of our Catholic faith, the Mass is the utmost expression of truth, beauty, and goodness. It’s living, breathing, age- old art, and Langenderfer did his best to ensure his students understood this.

“Working [at Lehman] made me a better Catholic, a better man. And in turn, a better husband, father, and artist.”

While Langenderfer wouldn’t have traded his time at Lehman High School for anything, this chapter of his life has come to a close. He and his wife will be moving to Columbus to be closer to their grandchildren. There, he accepted a position teaching art at St. Charles Preparatory School.

“Leaving Lehman has been heartbreaking,” Langenderfer said, “But we’re really excited for this new chapter.”

This article appeared in the August 2025 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.