St. Rose Church, St. Rose, Ohio is one of the 34 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  St. Rose Church was previously one of the points of interest during the tour of “The Land of the Cross Tipped Churches”. 

            The church is a magnificent building constructed of pressed brick with Bedford stone trimmings.  It’s high and sharply pointed arches are of the Gothic style of architecture.  The height of the steeple cross is 133 feet.

            The church’s most spectacular beauty is from within where you will find extensive gold trim and ornate mosaic style painting.  This rich trim is then set off by blue carpet throughout the church. 

Founding of the Parish in 1839 

            The year 1839 marks the foundation of four parishes in the Mercer-Auglaize County area –St. Rose, St. Henry, Victoria (St. Joseph) and Wapakoneta.  All available data points to the fact that St. Rose is the oldest of the four. 

            In tradition, both oral and written, the story is told which deals with the origin of the name.  Once, when the Most Rev. John Purcell, Bishop of Cincinnati, was passing through the eastern part of Mercer County on one of his visitation tours, the dazzling beauty of the woodland scene enraptured him.  Wild roses grew everywhere.  He saw it as a garden designed and planted by the Creator.  In admiration, the Bishop called the spot Rose Garden, and hence the little village that later sprang up in this section was given its name. 

The First Church 

            The first log church was erected at Rose Garden in 1844.  Unimposing, as was the architecture of that first log church, it nevertheless stood out above the other log cabins that surrounded it, for it possessed a steeple and in the steeple a bell, which was purchased for the sum of $36.00. 

Building of the Second Church 

            As the years went quickly by and in passing showed a yearly increase in the congregation, the log church became too small.  On January 18, 1854, the second church was built at a cost of $6,000. and was built free of debt.  In 1862, the first organ was installed for $690.00.  At the same time, statues of St. Rose, St. John, St. Lawrence and the Good Shepherd, all imported from Europe, were purchased for $315.00. 

            Note:  The inscription stone that was on this church is now found next to the sidewalk—at ground level—on the northwest side of the present church. 

            In 1905, when Archbishop Henry Moeller was on a visitation tour, he expressed his desire that a rectory should be built near the church so that the pastor could live among his flock.  The building was completed on March 23, 1906. 

Building of the Third Church (Present Church) 

            What was probably the most extensive improvement in the history of the parish was undertaken during the year 1910.  In January of that year, it was placed before the congregation the necessity of building a new church.  Erection of the third church began and was completed in 1911 for/or about $26,479.00. 

Altars 

The high altar was bought in 1913 at a cost of $1,565.00.  The upper part of the rerodos contains a statue of St. Rose.  On the east side is a Crucifixion scene and on the west side is a Resurrection scene.  In the mensa are an Emmaus scene and various symbols of the passion.  (Note:  On the original altar, there were also statues of St. Peter and St. Paul and also two standing angels with lights.  These were removed when the altar was lowered three steps.  The additions to the high altar (and also the side altars) were bought in 1920. 

            In the mensa of the altar is the wood carved scene of Melchisedec offering bread and wine for Abraham.  On the pulpit is a wood carve scene of Moses and the people gathering manna.  (These two scenes had been the gates of the communion rail.)  Recently parishioners made the wooden paschal candle stand, wooden flower and candle stands and other wooden chairs. 

Special Points of Interest 

Stations of the Cross:  It is not surprising that many of the inscriptions found throughout the church (under the glass stained windows, statues, altars, tabernacle, etc.) are the same as the names found in the parish registry today.  Among these are also the 14 Stations of the Cross, which adorn the outside walls. 

Reconciliation Room:  The confessional (now known as the Reconciliation Room) is beautifully carved and intriguingly designed.  The history of the confessional is a mystery. 

The Pieta:  Near the front entrance of the church is the statue of the Pieta, which was purchased in 1914, with a pedestal, for $170.00.  Also near the entrance of the church is a statue of St. Theresa, the Little Flower. 

The Bells:  In the tower, there are three bells, respectively weighing 1,000 lbs., 1350 lbs., and 900 lbs.  These bells were purchased in 1932 for $543.26. 

Summary 

Under able pastors and parishioners, the church and its surroundings have not only been maintained in excellent shape but have been improved.  Under their direction and generous donation, the cemetery wall was added to beautify it.  The dedication and love, of the people of St. Rose Parish, for their church as manifested by the continual desire to make the place beautiful in appearance. 

At St. Rose, we are proud of our leadership and ministering through various programs and committees such as the Cemetery Association, Parish Council, Ushers, Servers, CCD Program, Men’s Sodality, Ladies Sodality, Adult Choir, Youth Choir, Ministry to Homebound and Sick, Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers. 

Religious Vocations 

It was indeed a happy event in May of 1927, when the first St. Rose parishioner, Fr. Ferdinand Goettemoeller was ordained to the Priesthood.  In the years to follow, vocations to the Priesthood and religious life from St. Rose included Fr. Melchior Lochtefeld (May 1931), Fr. Aloys Selhorst (May 1939), and Fr. Tobias Lochtefeld (May 1948).  The following were baptized but not raised in St. Rose; Fr. John Anthony (May 1923), Fr. John Reichert (June 1927), Sister Angelica born Mary Lochtefeld (January 1873), Sister Agatha born Rosina Philomena Lochtefeld (March 1882), Sister Emma born Catherine Bernadine Lochtefeld (November 1917), and Sister Leonidas born Agnes Piekenbrock (August 1939).