St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Cedar

St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cedar is a church built in Romanesque Revival style, featuring a tall corner tower and walls constructed with vitrified brick and stone details. The interior and exterior display large stained glass windows, with a prominent rose window positioned on the main front.

The church was designed in 1915 and constructed starting that year, before a major fire in 1919 destroyed much of the structure. The community rebuilt it using the surviving brick walls and foundation, restoring the building to serve the congregation once again.

The building reflects the Irish Catholic community that settled in the Cedar Creek area during the 1850s. It represents the religious center where this group gathered and maintained their faith traditions.

The building is accessible to visitors and stands out clearly in Cedar due to its distinctive tower and Romanesque design. It is best viewed during daylight hours to appreciate the stone work and glass details from both the exterior and interior.

Architect William LeBarthe Steele designed the church in 1915, and builder C. F. Mayer oversaw its construction. The rebuilding after the 1919 fire reveals how the community cleverly reused the surviving brick walls and foundation to restore the church to its original purpose.

Location: Greene County

Architects: William L. Steele

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 42.15944,-94.55139

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:01