1856 St. Wendelin parish formed from the western part of St. Joseph Church in Victoria. The brick church with decorative corbels was designed by German immigrant J. Anton Goehr. 1870 Bell tower with spire, gold cross and new entrance added. Existing church is sheathed with a faux stone skin. 1905 …

One of the unique areas of our archdiocese is the Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches. Those who visit this northern region often ask, “Why did they build so many churches so close together?” This is especially profound at points in Mercer County where several spires are visible at once. The …

Catholic education in the northern archdiocese is a legacy inherited from the Sisters of the Precious Blood who began in a parish church in the winter of 1844. These dedicated sisters forged a relationship with the community that endured for more than a century as they maintained a presence in …

by Susie Bergman Most of us know the saying, “It’s what’s on the inside that counts.” We can apply this saying to buildings, structures and churches. In fact, one could even say that a beautiful church may be an architectural diamond, but if the pews are not filled each week …

by Susie Bergman Last month we took a broad look at the Land of the Cross- Tipped Churches, a unique scenic byway of churches that pepper the horizon throughout Mercer, Auglaize and Darke Counties. The 33 churches and religious sites still standing are a historical diamond shining among the flat, …

by Susie Bergman When traveling in the most northern, rural part of the diocese, it’s hard not to notice the flat, fertile farmland and numerous spires that adorn the sky. Growing up in this area, we always took prideful humor in the fact that most towns consisted of only two …