It will take some time, but we are planning on placing some of St. Benignus' archives on this site. We also want to add pictures, as available, of our former priests.
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Our first addition is a 1903 Directory of the parish, complete with pictures, background information and advertising. The church is still in the original building on South Second Street, and offers a very unique perspective on the church in the early 1900's. Readers will even recognize some of the advertisers, although none exist today.
A new find! The 1905 Souvenir Program for the dedication of the present church at South Second Street and Mirabeau, the former ME Church. E.L. McClain purchased the building for $5,000 and then offered it to the Catholic Congregation for the same amount. He then donated $500 towards its purchase. The celebrant was the Most Reverend Henry Moeller D.D., Archbishop of Cincinnati.
Next, we have a copy of the Centennial Celebration held in 1958. It was a huge celebration, with mass offered at the McClain High School by then Archbishop Karl J. Alter. Fr. Edward Lawler was the pastor at the time.
St. Benignus Parish celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1983 under the pastorate of Rev. Thomas Gavin. An anniversary mass was held, with a reception in the undercroft. Visiting priests were guests at a special dinner held in the evening. Three former St. Benignus pastors attended, Fr. Francis Lay, Fr. Edward Lawler and Fr. Harold Bernard.
An abbreviated "timeline" for both St. Benignus and St. Michael's church was put together in 2003. Although there are great gaps in the history, which we hope to someday fill-in, it is a very interesting piece. We will also try to update it as time permits.
The original St. Benignus Church building.
This picture is very old, probably early 1900's, showing the interior of the church with all its splendor. The adornments are quite impressive.
Another interior picture of the church, circa 1950's.
Church exterior, circa 1950's.
