St. Gabriel parishioners mark sesquicentennial in northern reaches of Hamilton County

By Eileen Connelly, OSU

ST. ANDREW DEANERY — As 2007 comes to a close, parishioners at St. Gabriel Church in Glendale are marking the end of a double anniversary celebration for this faith community that has played a significant role in the history of the northern part of Hamilton County.

In October 2006, members of the historic parish observed the 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone for their present church with a Mass and reception. This year, they have celebrated the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the parish and the great faith of its first members.

COURTESY PHOTOS

St. Gabriel Church, which was completed and dedicated in 1907, has been described as Roman Nouveau and American Picturesque.

Permission to build a permanent church was granted by Archbishop John Baptist Purcell and, in July of 1859, the cornerstone was laid on Church Street, where the parish center now stands. Three years later, Father William Corey, the first resident pastor, added a home for the Sisters serving the parish, a school and a parochial residence. In 1880, a cyclone unroofed both the church and the house, and the subsequent pastors began their diligent efforts to finance a new church building.

Rich and poor, Catholics and non-Catholics alike contributed to the construction of the present St. Gabriel Church, the cornerstone for which was laid in 1906. On hand for the occasion were Archbishop Henry Moeller, assisted by the pastor, Father Robert Connor, along with some 30 other priests from the archdiocese and a thousand area residents. Just one year later, the church was completed and dedicated on May 26, 1907.

The architecture of the St. Gabriel Church has alternately been described as Roman Nouveau and American Picturesque, according to longtime parishioner Carolyn Smith, who served on the parish anniversary committee. With its warm tan sandstone and red tile roof, St. Gabriel Church is a charming, welcoming structure set amidst the historic homes of Glendale. An octagonal wing housing the baptistry is located at the east front of the church, with a square crenellated bell tower to the west. There are four narrow arches above the main door, and the side walls are buttressed and decorated by arched stain-glassed windows. A circular "rose" window and a smaller sacristy window are featured on the rear wall.

The basic features of St. Gabriel Church have remained true through the renovations and improvements that have occurred over the years. The stained-glass windows lining the side walls were refurbished in 1983, restoring them to their original brilliance, and the original plaster Stations of the Cross still line the walls. Side altars dedicated to Mary and Joseph match the design of the main altar and have changed little since the church was built. On the arch above the sanctuary, in gold letters on blue, are the words in Latin, "The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary," referencing the archangel Gabriel, to whom the parish is dedicated.

A sign outside St. Gabriel Church marks the parish’s home in Glendale.

Today, St. Gabriel’s is a "friendly little church," said Smith, home to 700 families. The parish’s double anniversary "really brought people together," she added, as they celebrated a faith community that has grown and strengthened. Father David Fay, pastor since 1994, said, "The walls of St. Gabriel’s have experienced the joy of so many hearts, which can not be measured. Nor can we measure the growth of faith that would not have taken place had there not been a St. Gabriel’s."

In a letter to parishioners, Father Fay said the anniversary celebration was a way of "reinvigorating our Catholic faith, reflecting on the faith and sacrifices of the many women and men who have worshiped here more than 10 decades. St. Gabriel is no ordinary church building. It radiates the sacredness of what we are about. It invites the assembly to see the warm love of Christ. It echoes the hearts of many voices raised in hymns of praise and mercy. God directed the architects and designers, the planners and the pastors involved. We can truly say this is God’s house."

All of the liturgies celebrated on 0ct. 8, 2006, were in honor of St Gabriel’s anniversary, said Smith, but especially significant was the Mass concelebrated by Franciscan Fathers Carl and Max Langenderfer, who grew up in parish and were just two of the many vocations fostered there. Adding to the beauty and joy of the anniversary Masses was the music provided by a new pipe organ, said Smith. The celebration continued throughout 2007, she noted, with a variety of spiritual activities, the dedication of a shrine of the Annunciation outside the church and various improvements to the church and grounds.