Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Gothic revival church building in German Village, Columbus, United States.
Saint Mary, Mother of God Church, known as St. Mary Church, is a brick church in German Village whose 197-foot spire, erected in 1893, makes it the tallest building in the neighborhood. Inside, a 20-foot-wide, 45-foot-tall white walnut reredos carved by Allard Klooter in 1866 stands behind the main altar, centered on a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary flanked by Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Boniface. Ten painted ceiling panels depict titles of Mary from the Litany of Loreto.
Construction began in 1866 and the completed building was consecrated in 1868, making it the third oldest Catholic church in the city. In 1974 it received designation as a National Register property, formally recognizing its importance to the region's heritage.
The church has long served as the spiritual center for the German-speaking community in this neighborhood and continues to shape the area's character today. Its presence reflects the devotion and craftsmanship that early immigrants brought to the region.
The building is open to the public and located in an accessible spot within the neighborhood that is easy to reach on foot. Visitors will find it helpful to check when services are held, as visiting outside of those times allows for a quieter experience to view the interior details.
The 2016 lightning strike damaged roof trusses, exterior brick and ceiling, and engineers recommended condemning the building that October. Masses moved to the school gymnasium while a $7.5 million campaign funded repairs; the church reopened on April 19, 2019, for the Palm Sunday Vigil Mass.
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