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St. John the Baptist Church Assessment & Update

3/10/2026

What is the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Assessment?
We’ve heard questions and concerns about the portion of our Sunday collections and capital campaign
gifts that go to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. We’d like to offer some clarity and context to help explain
why this assessment exists—and how it ultimately helps our parish.
The parish general assessment is the main funding source for all operations of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The assessment funds a wide range of essential services and infrastructure that we would otherwise have to hire—and pay for—on our own, including:

Legal Representation
Financial Oversight and Business Support
Human Resources
Insurance and Risk Management

St. John the Baptist - February 22, 2026 Q&A Session - Documents

2/23/2026

The presentation slides from the Q&A Session held on Sunday, February 22nd, along with the script can be found here.
community_meeting_feb_22_final.pdf

The Building Committee

Michelle Ashman: 419-852-0784
Eric Eyink: 419-305-9129
Beck Fullenkamp: 567-644-2581
Gary Hartings: 419-953-0728
Dave Heckman: 419-953-2412
Todd Heitkamp: 419-953-1868
Beth Otte: 419-302-4724
Maria Rethman: 567-644-6442
Kent Shaner: 419-733-4403
Jean Thobe: 419-305-6808
Mitch Thobe: 419-305-9951
Lynn Wolters: 419-305-9849
Brad Garmann, served on the Architect Selection Committee
Ron Hartings, served on the Architect Selection Committee

Share your vision for our new church by submitting your ideas on the Building Our Future Together google form.

St. John the Baptist Church Architect Announcement & Update February 20, 2026

2/20/2026

St. John the Baptist Church Architect Selection
The St. John Building and Architect Committees began an extensive search process in August, compiling a list of 10 potential Church architects across the country. The list was narrowed down to four architect firms who were sent Requests for Qualifications (RFQ’s) and interviewed by the Architect Selection Committee. Each firm was provided a copy of the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 175th Anniversary book by Paul Mizer and a compilation of other information describing St. John Church. Firms were given a month to respond with documentation that was 20 to 30 pages in length and interviews were conducted in October. In November, members of the architect selection committee visited several churches that had been designed and built or restored by the architects and second interviews were held, one onsite of a church designed by the architect. The selected architect provided a Professional Design Services proposal that was reviewed by the Architect Committee, Archdiocese and their attorney in December. A final proposal was submitted December 23rd. With the collapse of the west wall and demolition of the church, the Professional Design Services proposal had to be revised again. A revised proposal was submitted January 12th, reviewed by St. John’s and the Archdiocese and a contract was prepared.

Bell Tower Demolition Marks Turning Point in Future of St. John the Baptist, Maria Stein

1/7/2026

PRESS RELEASE
Today, the bell tower of St. John the Baptist Church in Maria Stein is being carefully demolished following the collapse of the west wall of the church on Monday, December 29, 2025. Seven months after a fire ravaged St. John the Baptist Church, the west wall of the church collapsed last week due to high winds and the declining condition of the remaining structure.

St. John the Baptist Church Demolition Update 1-6-26

1/6/2026

FIRST ONSITE and Sunesis has advised that heavy equipment is being transported Tuesday morning and assembled onsite in the afternoon. Controlled demolition of the tower will begin Wednesday morning.

St. John the Baptist Church Demolition Update 1-3-26

1/3/2026

FIRST ONSITE and Sunesis has advised that ODOT has not yet released the transport permit for the heavy equipment due to 6 bridges that must be inspected along the proposed main route and alternate route to the site. ODOT anticipates having these inspections completed by Monday afternoon. The carrier is on standby to begin transport Tuesday Morning and operational staff to begin assembly of the equipment. Controlled demolition of the tower will follow.

St. John the Baptist Church Demolition Update 1/2/26

1/2/2026

Sunesis Environmental, working through FIRST ONSITE, began controlled demolition of St. John Church on Friday, January 2nd. A large excavator was used to demolish the West and North walls, including the Northwest work sacristy and storage area above. They were able to preserve the original marker from the 1849 & 1889 churches.

St. John the Baptist Church Demolition Notice 12-31-25

12/31/2025

The collapse of the St. John Church west wall and concern that the tower could also collapse and fall onto SR 119 are serious safety issues requiring immediate action. FIRST ONSITE explored options to remove the upper portion of the tower, but structural engineers and demolition teams were concerned that could not be done safely. They have advised controlled demolition. Unfortunately, it is no longer safe nor prudent to keep the remaining church structure. Fr. Ken and the St. John Building Committee met Tuesday night to discuss demolition and what else may be preserved from the church, if possible.

St John the Baptist Church West Wall Collapse 12/29/25

12/29/2025

Safety Alert: St. John the Baptist Church Update

Many parishioners may have already seen or heard that the west wall of St. John the Baptist Church collapsed due to high winds. This has compromised the integrity of the remaining structure. FIRST ONSITE and structural engineers are concerned that the tower could also collapse and fall onto SR 119.

St. Johns Q&A Session - Documents

11/12/2025

The presentation slides from the Q&A Session with the script can be found here >> community_meeting_with_script.pdf

The Building Committee

Michelle Ashman: 419-852-0784
Eric Eyink: 419-305-9129
Beck Fullenkamp: 567-644-2581
Gary Hartings: 419-953-0728
Dave Heckman: 419-953-2412
Todd Heitkamp: 419-953-1868
Beth Otte: 419-302-4724
Maria Rethman: 567-644-6442
Kent Shaner: 419-733-4403
Jean Thobe: 419-305-6808
Mitch Thobe: 419-305-9951
Lynn Wolters: 419-305-9849

Share your vision for our new church by submitting your ideas on the Building Our Future Together google form.

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On May 29, 2025, there was a devastating fire at our beloved and historic St. John the Baptist church in Maria Stein, OH. This page is where pertinent updates about the recovery efforts will be shared. We ask that you would support us with your prayers! If you would also like to financially support the recovery efforts you may do so online using the link above.

The recovery of st. john the baptist parish