Gruenwald Convent
Encyclopedia
The Gruenwald Convent is a historic former Roman Catholic convent
in the far western part of the U.S. state
of Ohio
. Located approximately 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) south of the small community of Cassella
in Mercer County
, the convent was built in 1854. It is one of six convents that were built by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood
in this portion of Ohio and in adjacent portions of far eastern Indiana, and one of only two that remain without significant alterations.
, the Missionaries constructed six convents in southern Mercer County and surrounding areas between 1846 and 1856. Patterned after the monasteries that had housed the order's members in Europe, these convents were some of the most prominent buildings in the region — surrounded by small frame
houses, these brick structures resembled fortresses. Five other convents were built: one affiliated with St. Augustine's Church in Minster
, one affiliated with St. Joseph's Church
in Egypt
, the Himmelgarten convent near St. Henry
, the Maria Stein Convent
, and one affiliated with Holy Trinity Church in Trinity, Indiana
. By the late 1970s, only the Gruenwald and Trinity convents remained in a condition resembling their original state: Himmelgarten was sold more than one hundred years ago, and has since been destroyed; the Minster convent likewise is no longer in existence; and the Egypt and Maria Stein convents had been significantly modified.
structure. Built on a stone foundation, its walls are brick, and it is covered by an asphalt roof. It is significantly smaller than some of the other convents of the region; for example, the Maria Stein Convent is a complex of seventeen buildings, some of which are much larger than the Gruenwald Convent. After the Gruenwald Convent ceased to be used for its original purpose, it was converted into a typical residence; consequently, it is also known as the "McDowell House".
as a part of a multiple property submission known as the "Cross-Tipped Churches of Ohio Thematic Resources." This collection included historically significant buildings in the vicinity of Maria Stein that were related to the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. The many massive Gothic Revival
churches in this collection have become the namesake for the region, which is commonly known as the "Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches
." The convent was listed on the Register both because of its contribution to the region's history and because of its connection to Francis de Sales Brunner.
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...
in the far western part of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. Located approximately 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) south of the small community of Cassella
Cassella, Ohio
Cassella is an unincorporated community in Marion Township, Mercer County, Ohio, United States. Located at , it lies at an elevation of 955 feet...
in Mercer County
Mercer County, Ohio
Mercer County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. Its county seat is Celina and is named for Hugh Mercer, an officer in the American Revolutionary War.The Celina Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Mercer County.-Geography:...
, the convent was built in 1854. It is one of six convents that were built by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood
Missionaries of the Precious Blood
The Missionaries of the Precious Blood form a community of priests and brothers within the Latin Church, one of the 23 sui iuris churches which make up the universal Catholic Church. The Society was founded by Saint Gaspar del Bufalo in 1815...
in this portion of Ohio and in adjacent portions of far eastern Indiana, and one of only two that remain without significant alterations.
History
Under the leadership of Francis de Sales BrunnerFrancis de Sales Brunner
Francis de Sales Brunner was the founder of the Swiss American congregation of the Benedictines.-References:...
, the Missionaries constructed six convents in southern Mercer County and surrounding areas between 1846 and 1856. Patterned after the monasteries that had housed the order's members in Europe, these convents were some of the most prominent buildings in the region — surrounded by small frame
Framing (construction)
Framing, in construction known as light-frame construction, is a building technique based around structural members, usually called studs, which provide a stable frame to which interior and exterior wall coverings are attached, and covered by a roof comprising horizontal ceiling joists and sloping...
houses, these brick structures resembled fortresses. Five other convents were built: one affiliated with St. Augustine's Church in Minster
Minster, Ohio
Minster is a village in Auglaize County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,794 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Wapakoneta, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area...
, one affiliated with St. Joseph's Church
St. Joseph's Catholic Church (Egypt, Ohio)
St. Joseph's Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic church in Egypt, Ohio, United States. Built in 1887, this church is home to a small Catholic parish, and it has been declared a historic site because of its well-preserved Gothic Revival architecture....
in Egypt
Egypt, Ohio
Egypt is an unincorporated community in western Jackson Township, Auglaize County, Ohio, United States. Located at , the community sits at an elevation of 971 feet , approximately west of the village of Minster....
, the Himmelgarten convent near St. Henry
St. Henry, Ohio
St. Henry is a village in Mercer County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,271 at the 2000 census.-History:Located at the center of the village is St. Henry's Catholic Church. Completed in 1897, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.-Geography:St. Henry is located at...
, the Maria Stein Convent
Shrine of the Holy Relics
The Shrine of the Holy Relics in Maria Stein, Ohio is the second largest collection of relics in the United States. It is a part of the historic Maria Stein Convent.-History:...
, and one affiliated with Holy Trinity Church in Trinity, Indiana
Trinity, Indiana
Trinity is an unincorporated town in Wabash Township, Jay County, Indiana.Holy Trinity Catholic Church,located in Trinity was founded in 1861 as part of the Stallostown,Ohio Mission....the present-day Minster in West Central,Ohio which also founded other Catholic parishes in neighboring Mercer and...
. By the late 1970s, only the Gruenwald and Trinity convents remained in a condition resembling their original state: Himmelgarten was sold more than one hundred years ago, and has since been destroyed; the Minster convent likewise is no longer in existence; and the Egypt and Maria Stein convents had been significantly modified.
Architecture
The Gruenwald Convent is a two-and-a-half storyStorey
A storey or story is any level part of a building that could be used by people...
structure. Built on a stone foundation, its walls are brick, and it is covered by an asphalt roof. It is significantly smaller than some of the other convents of the region; for example, the Maria Stein Convent is a complex of seventeen buildings, some of which are much larger than the Gruenwald Convent. After the Gruenwald Convent ceased to be used for its original purpose, it was converted into a typical residence; consequently, it is also known as the "McDowell House".
Historic status
In 1979, the Gruenwald Convent was one of more than thirty buildings added to the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as a part of a multiple property submission known as the "Cross-Tipped Churches of Ohio Thematic Resources." This collection included historically significant buildings in the vicinity of Maria Stein that were related to the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. The many massive Gothic Revival
Gothic Revival architecture
The Gothic Revival is an architectural movement that began in the 1740s in England...
churches in this collection have become the namesake for the region, which is commonly known as the "Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches
Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches
The Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches is a rural region in the western part of the U.S. state of Ohio, centered near Maria Stein in Mercer County. Its name is derived from the dense concentration of large Catholic churches that dominate the area's architecture...
." The convent was listed on the Register both because of its contribution to the region's history and because of its connection to Francis de Sales Brunner.