 At. right: architect's rendering of Holy Family Church's front facade (pre1915). The built church includes two towers which flank the facade as shown here.
Historical Notes from the Holy Family Church Dedication Souvenir, 1916. The primary meeting for the organization of Holy Family Parish was held May 20, 1 883, in the parlor of Old Mt. St. Mary Seminary, on Warsaw and Hawthorne avenues. About twenty men were present at this meeting, of which Mr. Anthony Spellmire was chosen Chairman, and Mr. S. W. Hollen, Sr., Secretary. Among those present, as recorded in the minute books, were Messrs. Anthony Spellmire, S.W. Hollen, Sr., Geo. Spellmire, Wm. O'Brien, Wm. White, John Ruppert, Edw. A. Foy, Geo. Gerke, Hugh Shiels, David Babbitt, John Keeshan, F. Hengehold, F. Linck, Anthony Schnier, R. M. Kuerze, H. Von Benken, P. Tracy, P. J. Hogan and G.W. Murray. The original Committee on Organization consisted of Messrs. Wm. O'Brien, S.W. Hollen, Sr., John Ruppert, Anthony Spelimire and Edw. A. Foy. The first pastor, Rev. John H. Menke, was appointed in January, 1884. The first congregational services were held in the Seminary Chapel on Sunday, January 1 3, 1884. The following gentlemen constituted the first Board of Church Wardens, elected at a congregational meeting Sunday, January 20, 1 884: S. W. Holien, Sr., Secretary; Geo. Gerke, Treasurer; Anthony Spellmire, Geo. Spellmire, Wm. O'Brien, Wm. White, Hugh Shiels, John Keeshan, F. Linck, and R. M. Kuerze. At this same meeting the name for the new church was chosen by ballot. The following names were presented: "St. Alphonsus," by Father Menke; "St. Leo," by Hugh Shiels; "St. Cecilia," by Frank Linck; "Holy Family," by S. W. Hollen, Sr. The first ballot resulted as follows: 'St. Alphonsus," I ; "St. Leo," 4; "Holy Family," I0; "St. Cecilia," 11. One blank vote was cast, making a total of 27 votes cast. None of the names having received a majority of the votes cast, a second ballot was taken which resulted as follows: "Holy Family," 15; St. Cecilia," 12. On motion the adoption of the name of "Holy Family" was made unanimous. Such was the humble beginning of what is now one of the foremost parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The original church building, now familiarly referred to as the "old church," was dedicated on Sunday, August 24, 1884. The "old church" still stands within the shadow of the "new" as a monument of sacrifice and devotion to the pioneer parishioners, some of whom have sur, vived its thirty-three years' existence, leaving its hallowed walls with many a fond memory to participate in the dedication of the beautiful new edifice. The first pastor, Rev. John H. Menke, labored earnestly and faithfully in the face of obstacles which are quite common in the erection of every new parish, and his task was rendered a doubly difficult one by the ravages of disease which began to undermine his health and eventually brought about the resignation of his pastorate. Because of many adverse conditions the seeds of organization which he had so carefully planted failed to bear fruit to the extent that his heart had desired. The history of his pastorate is not unlike that of innumerable other first pastors--it fills a martyr's page. The work of reconstruction fell beneath the watchful eye and careful hand of Father Drufner, and those who knew this giant soul with its self-sacrificing spirit, are well aware of his nobility of character and wonderful ability. Large in physique and big of heart, he masterfully took up the burden and placed Holy Family Parish upon a desirable and enviable basis. Systematic progress marked his pastorate. He improved the old church structure, placed the parish in possession of the present pastoral residence, purchased old Library Hall, in which the first impetus was given to the presidential activities of Hon. Wm. H. Taft, and converted it into the present Holy Family School. The plans for the new church were drawn under his regime, and he originated the Holy Family Church Building Association, which was productive of great fruits as a fund for the erection of the new church building. Years of untiring efforts and indefatigable zeal, filled with much anxiety, though blessed with encouraging results, eventuated the breaking down of this adamant constitution five years before his demise. After a decade and a half of years of devotion to Holy Family Parish Father Drufner was called by the Eternal judge to give an account of his stewardship July 2 1, 1912. Rev. A. F. Runnebaum then took hold of the pilot wheel and continued the course so ably begun by his predecessors, bringing the Good Old Ship safely into port. Today the people of Holy Family Parish dedicate to God and Religion a completely equipped new church, beautiful in structure and in the words of our Most Rev. Archbishop, a "Little jewel," yet sufficiently commodious for all needs and purposes of Holy Family Parish until the end of time. The structure is of the Romanesque Renaissance style of architecture, has a seating capacity of 760 and was erected and equipped at an approximate cost of $175,000.00, carrying, comparatively speaking, the small debt of $50,000.00. During its thirty-three years' existence, Holy Family Parish has steadily progressed despite the hindering geographical and topographical conditions of the western hill, until it has assumed the enviable proportions of a parish numbering among its members some nine hundred families. Price Hill, with its vast and ever-increasing Catholic population, may well be proud of its Mother Catholic Church, St. Lawrence, the first offspring Holy Family, and the rapidly growing "Little Brother," St. William, not "overlooking" the expected arrival, let us say, of the new "St. Benedict" Church. On this date, the I 8th of June, 1916, Holy Family Parish does honor to all and is honored by all, doing all for the greater honor and glory of God and the good of the Catholic religion, which is a sustaining factor in the good citizenship of a grand and glorious Republic. May the future history of Holy Family Parish be as glorious as its past! "Our sufficiency is from God" (2 Cor. III 5). Return to Holy Family intro page Church
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