Historic church key anchor for Haus und Garten Tour

By GARY SEMAN JR.

ThisWeek Community News Wednesday June 20, 2012 10:41 PM

When people visit St. Mary Catholic Church, they are stepping into one of the most well-preserved pieces of German Village history, says one church official.

Built in 1868 by German immigrants, the church has been only slightly modified, said Frank Wickham, chairman of the St. Mary advisory finance council.

The ambo, also known as the lectern where the priest delivers his sermon, is an original as are the towering reredos in the sanctuary and many of the stained-glass pieces.

After eight years of planning, the church went through a $500,000 renovation project 25 years ago.

Even so, its integrity was vigilantly maintained, Wickham said.

"I think there's nothing more beautiful," Wickham said of the church.

"People are always awed in here no matter what their faith."

The church and the nearby rectory are on this year's German Village Haus und Garten Tour, slated for Sunday.

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Historic church key anchor for Haus und Garten Tour