CHURCH INFORMATION

History of the Church

In April of 1819, a small frame church was constructed on the corner of Liberty & Vine Streets, which became the first organized parish to serve Irish immigrants. When the diocese of Cincinnati was established on June 19, 1821, this little frame church became the first cathedral in Ohio.

In 1822, Bishop Fenwick decided to move Christ Church to a new site on Sycamore Street between 6th & 7th Streets, where St. Francis Xavier Church now stands. As the church was being moved along the muddy streets it collapsed and had to be torn apart. But a new frame church was built and served people there until 1825.

In 1844, the Franciscan Friars, from the Province of St. Leopold, Tyrol, Austria, were invited to Cincinnati by Bishop John Baptist Purcell to help meet the needs of the great number of German Catholics who had been coming to the city since 1830.
Because the Catholic congregation continued to grow so rapidly, permission was given by Archbishop Purcell to erect a church on the site of the former Christ Church. The cornerstone was placed "...on November 7, 1858, the Sunday during the octave of All Saints, at the time of the Jubilee, this corner-stone of the new church of our holy Father, St. Francis Seraph in Cincinnati, according to pontifical rite, was solemnly laid by the Most Reverend John Baptist Purcell, the first archbishop of this city and diocese...." (St. Francis Seraph Church and Parish, A Historical Sketch, 1859-1934, Compiled by John B. Wuest, O.F.M., p. 30).

St. Francis Seraph Church was consecrated by Bishop James F. Wood of Philadelphia on "...December 18, the fourth Sunday of Advent, 1859.... The streets were almost impassable on account of the rain, snow and mire. Nevertheless, early in the morning the Catholics made their way in throngs to the church.... The crowd became so great during the three hours that the sacred ceremonies lasted, that the mounted marshals were no longer able to keep it in check in order to make room for the arriving parades. They were finally obliged to call in the assistance of the police with whose aid the immense crowd was kept in order" (Ibid., pp. 32-33).

St. Francis Seraph Church proudly celebrates 145 years of service to people in Over-the-Rhine. This sacred place has been a source of strength and guidance, where many persons have heard the gospel proclaimed through worship, education and social justice in the Franciscan tradition.
May this holy place which occupies the site of that first poor, little church and cathedral of Cincinnati; is built on ground consecrated by the relics of pioneer Catholic settlers; is the principal church of the Franciscan Province of St. John the Baptist, and assumes a place of the greatest moment in the story of the Cincinnati sons of St. Francis" (Ibid., p. 10) continue to "proclaim the name and teaching, the life and promise, the mystery and reign of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God" (General Constitutions, Order of Friars Minor, Article 89, 2, p. 71)!