St. James of the Valley Cincinnati OH

The Mission of the Winton Wyoming Pastoral Region is to grow in relationship to Jesus Christ and in wholeness through spiritual renewal and evangelization. We strive to embrace the ways and teachings of our Savior, and we accept the call to witness the living Christ manifested in our members, our community, and the world.

 

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The First St James Church

With much foresight, but not without much contention, (some wanted the church built in Greenwood, Lockland, some suggested the purchase of the church at Wayne and Worthington Avenues), the site on Crescent Avenue was agreed upon as the most suitable location for a new church. Away from which even in those days seemed destined to be a business section, and centrally located with respect to what seemed would be the future development, the land at Crescent and Cooper Avenues was obtained from Mr Worthington for the sum of $1,500. Mr Worthington, although not a Catholic, immediately offered to donate $500 toward the new church on the condition that it would be for English speaking Catholics. The offer was accepted, some money was borrowed from Mr Puthoff, a pioneer member of the new church committee, and the new congregation became a reality.

Bids were taken for the erection of the new church and the contract was awarded to the firm of Uland and Harper. The cost of the first church building was $4,750. We are told that when the first church was built, there was no other homes or buildings in the neighborhood except the Woodruff Building, then used as a general store and later a shoe factory.

The Enlarged St James Church – 1892

Less than 10 years after the construction of the first church, it became necessary to enlarge the structure. In 1892, and during the pastorate of Father Brinkmeyer, the church was lengthened. The pillars which supported the choir loft rested upon that which was the eastern foundation of the first church. Many who studied this extension contended that it stood as a remarkably fine and skillful piece of building construction.

It was also under the energetic pastorate of Father Brinkmeyer that the first school was started at St James. The school was originally housed in part of the priests’ residence in the rear of the church. The rectory, which is seen at the right of the church, was built while Father Shee was in charge. It was Father Shee who reopened the school, closed by the “panic” of 1893, and engaged the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur to replace the lay teachers who taught during the first few years.

When Fr. John James Cunningham arrived in 1903, it was apparent that with steadily increasing enrollment the old frame classrooms were doomed. His later 1910 census report numbered 148 Catholic families in the parish, with 52 boys and 60 girls attending school. For nearly nine years this gentle, frail priest had worked diligently for a proper school building. And such it was, when ready for dedication April 17, 1911.

A substantial, square, two–story buff–colored brick building, with stone trim, on the south side of the church, it contained four large classrooms on the first floor, with cloakrooms. On the second was a spacious auditorium with a 550–seat capacity, along with a stage and two dressing rooms. The basement housed two large playrooms, restrooms, and essential facilities. With the love and help of his parishioners, Fr. Cunningham had completed his final earthly task. He died only a few months later.

The original plan was to build the new church at the corner of Crescent and Worthington Avenues and with this end in view 200 feet frontage to the north of the rectory was purchased from the Hosea Estate.

But with the passing of the years a marked development in the village was taking place to the west of Springfield Pike, and the Pike itself was becoming the principle thoroughfare of the village. When a more attractive property (the Woodruff house, land, barn, cottage) became available, $50,000 was available for expediting the transaction in May 1929. By 1939 the parish had a $40,000 building fund, $16,000 from congregational pledges, expected assets of $35,000 from Crescent Avenue's proposed sale, an astutely negotiated loan of $75,000.

Architect Edward J. Schulte was commissioned to submit blueprints for three buildings; a temporary auditorium–church, a school, and the ultimate church. The first two were to be completed by September 1940, and were to contain: a large foyer; four classrooms; office; temporary church; rest rooms and lavatory on the first floor. The second floor would contain four classrooms; library; upper part of the temporary church; choir balcony. A music–band room would be in the tower, and in the basement: playrooms; cafeteria; kitchen; lockers; storage; boiler room.

Sunday, October 22, 1939, was the joyous, ground–breaking day. Formal, prayerful, sentimental ceremonies were held at Crescent Avenue.

The privilege of turning the first spade full of earth for the breaking of ground was given to Mrs Fred Hollman on her bid of $125.00. She in turn gave the privilege to her four and a half year old nephew, Frederick, the son of Mr & Mrs Joseph Hollman, both of whom had done considerable bidding for the honor.

By April 14, 1940, partial completion of the building permitted laying the cornerstone after Most Reverend Auxiliary Bishop George J. Rehring blessed it according to the Rituale Romanus.

Dedication of the new church took place on December 8, 1940

Former Pastors and Parochial Administrators:

Revs. John Cusack, 1887–89; John Singleton, 1889–90; Henry Brinkmeyer, 1890–92; John Holthaus, 1892–93; Joseph Shee, 1893–1900; James Moore, 1900–03; John Cunningham, 1903–12; Edward Ryan, 1912–34; Leo Walsh, 1934–52; Matthias F. Heyker, 1952–53; William A. Shine, 1953–73; Hubert T. Unger, 1973–85; Most Rev. Carl K. Moeddel, 1985–93; Robert B. Buening, 1993–98; James R. Collins, 1998–2007; Jack Wehman, 2007-2014