St. Bernard's Church

St. Bernard's Church is a church building in Akron that combines German Baroque and Romanesque styles, featuring thick stone walls and rounded arches throughout. The structure occupies a full acre and displays deeply recessed windows set into its substantial rock-faced exterior.

An original building on this site dated from 1861, but it was completely replaced by the current structure. The new building was constructed between 1901 and 1905 under architect William P. Ginther's design.

The church reflects the heritage of German Catholic communities who settled in Akron and built this place to express their faith and cultural identity. You can see this connection in how the building stands and how people use the space for worship.

The building sits on University Avenue in downtown Akron and is easy to spot from the street. Parking is available around the property, and you can visit the interior when services are not taking place or join a worship gathering if you wish.

The building incorporates Richardsonian Romanesque elements that are uncommon in the region, making it a distinctive example of early 1900s design choices. The detailed interior decoration by the Rambusch Decorating Company added layers of artistry that few churches in the area possess.