by Emma Cassani and Gail Finke

The rose window in the sanctuary of the round, postwar-style St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Montfort Heights came from Walnut Hills’ former Church of the Assumption.

1 rose window, made in Germany by Franz Meyer and Co. in 1863, displays symbols of the Old and New Testaments, installed in the sanctuary during 2011

1 distinctive lattice-like bell tower over the main doors, topped with metal cross

6 stained glass windows around the outer walls, each with eight vertical rectangles in two rows, containing Catholic symbols

“St. Ignatius has been a place of refuge and hope for me and my family. Our children received a great educational foundation, too!” – Elaine Kroger, Parishioner and CRE

1945
St. Ignatius parish formed

1946
First Mass held at the Lonesome Pine Inn. Temporary school purchased, operated by the Sisters of Mercy Building started on the first church (dedicated 1948)

1950
Groundbreaking for new school (dedicated 1951)

1969
Groundbreaking for new church

1970
First guitar Mass in the new church

1972
Bells installed; first rung on Easter

1976
First annual parish picnic at Strickers Grove

1980
Pipe organ installed

1986
Groundbreaking for Community Center

1993
Stained glass windows installed

1996
Twinning relationship launched with San Jose parish in Guatemala

2008
St. Ignatius School recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School

2019
Ignatius Center opens across the street

2022
Pastor, Father Earl Fernandes, appointed Bishop of Columbus

This article appeared in the June 2022 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.