St. Francis Church

Architectural Style: Gothic Mission/Spanish Revival

History: The Cranberry Prairie, is a part of Ohio's natural history. The place was named for the cranberries that grew in a swamp prior to drainage of the area. The Cranberry Prairie was created by centuries of peat accumulation in a late Ice Age lake that formed at the base of St. John's Moraine. Paleo-Indian or Early Archaic peoples probably killed the elk whose skeleton was dug up here in 1981. This elk was dated at approximately 7400 B.C.

By the late 1850’s, immigrant German farmers had begun transforming the swamp into fertile farmland. "Wild Bill" Simison, a legendary inhabitant, lived in the swamp and settlers respected him for his knowledge of the area.

On May 9, 1858, the Bishop of Cincinnati established this Catholic parish for the immigrants who were starting to farm in the area. The new parish immediately began building a church. It was dedicated on September 12, 1860, Records show the church was dedicated to St. Francis Seraph. St. Francis had a vision of a six-winged angel, the seraph, for which the church was originally named.

As the number of parishioners grew the decision was made to build a new church. The present St. Francis Church was begun in 1903 and dedicated on September 30, 1906. The church is described as High Victorian Gothic Revival. Bedford Stone was used for the entrance and exterior walls. A public school that stood across the street designed by Anton DeCurtins was erected in 1904 and used until 1961.