Label
509 Oswald St.
Historic Landmark
Sponsor: Gadus
Title
Declaring the intent to designate the building located at 509 Oswald Street, Toledo, Ohio a historic landmark; and declaring an emergency.
Summary
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
In 1883 a portion of the Cherry Street Bridge was swept away by ice and flooding making it difficult for the German Catholic immigrants, that lived and worked in East Toledo, to attend St. Mary’s, located at Cherry Street and Michigan Street, in downtown Toledo. The German Catholics petitioned Father Thein, of the St. Louis Parish, for permission to establish a German-speaking Catholic Church in East Toledo.
The “Church of the Sacred Heart” was established in 1883, and a wooden building was constructed to house the church and school at the corner of Oswald Street and 6th Street. By 1888, 120 families attended Sacred Heart Church and the school had 90 students. The same year Father Eilert began his 25-year ministry at the Sacred Heart parish. He purchased additional land to construct a school to be taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame. The Sacred Heart School is considered the oldest school building still standing in East Toledo.
In 1900 the original wood structure was destroyed by fire. The parish began to rebuild on the same site and a foundation cornerstone was placed the same year with the inscription “Herz Jesu Kirche” which translates to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The new Sandusky stone Church was constructed by founding parish members Julius Comte and Joseph Kesting and completed in 1906, with the first mass was held on Christmas day. The cost of construction was $93,690 and over the next six years a new organ would be purchased, Carrara marble statues and pulpit were added, and additional ornate details were added.
By 1913 Father Eilbert’s health had deteriorated, upon his resignation Reverand John Haupert served the parish until 1936. In 1914 fifteen stained glass windows, depicting the Life of Jesus, were commissioned from craftsman in Munich Germany. Due to complications from World War I the windows were delayed and installed in 1921. The following year the hand carved Stations of the Cross from Tirol, Austria were added to the interior ornamentation.
In 1966 the church had two notable events. English was used during mass for the first time and Father Metzger passed away after serving the parish for 24 years and the Catholic Church for over 52 years.
On May 18, 1975, a two-alarm fire caused $350,000 of damage. The church’s pipe organ had melted and required replacement along with two of the historic stain-glass windows. Although most of the church was salvageable, the interior underwent a major renovation to repair fire and smoke damage.
In 2003, volunteer parishioners made improvements to the building. The scope of work included refinishing the floors, rearranging the pew layout, and adding accessible features to assist the priest.
Due to a decline in the congregation three East Toledo parishes were consolidated in 2013. Sacred Heart (German), St. Stephens (Hungarian), and St. Thomas Aquinas (multi-ethnic) were combined to form Epiphany of the Lord parish.
In January 2024 Sacred Heart Catholic Church permanently closed after 140 years of service to the surrounding community. Regular mass for Epiphany of the Lord parish is still held at St. Stephens and St. Thomas Aquinas.
Per the National Register of Historic Places for the East Toledo Historic District (ETHD), submitted by Ted Ligibel in 1996, the most prominent ethnic influence in the ETHD was the German settlement located around the Church of the Sacred Heart.
The Sacred Heart parish families influenced Toledo and several congregations’ members became priests and nuns. The Toledo German population also produced entrepreneurs, community leaders (including four mayors), and a wide range of cultural activities that still exist today. Businesses include a German-speaking newspaper, wine company, brewery and nine beer halls, and Toledo’s largest wholesale grocery house.
NOW THEREFORE, Be it resolved that:
SECTION 1. That this matter be referred to the Toledo City Plan Commission and the Toledo City Historic District for its review, recommendation and appropriate hearing date.
SECTION 2. That this Resolution hereby is declared to be an emergency measure and shall be in force and effect from and after its adoption. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that same is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and property, and for the further reason that this Resolution must be immediately effective so that the historic property will be eligible for the federal and/or state historic tax credit as soon as feasibility possible.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas _____, nays _____.
Adopted _________________, as an emergency measure: yeas _____, nays _____.
Attest: ________________________ __________________________________
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: _____________________ __________________________________
Mayor
I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of an Ordinance passed by Council ________________________.
Attest: ________________________
Clerk of Council