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INTERIOR Entering the nave through a rather small narthex, the interior is formed by the arcades of the nave with arches resting directly on six stone Corinthian columns and supporting a heavy entablature. Above this are the lunettes, or clerestory windows, heralding the developing barrel of the vaulted, coffered ceiling, which is 52 feet above the floor. From the rear can be viewed the piers and great arches supporting the saucer dome; and just beyond, the hemi-dome of the apse, with seven lunettes, representing the seven Sacraments, and arches resting on the great curved entablature, supported by arcading, similar to, but smaller than that in the nave. Even smaller is the baldachino repeating the hemidome and arcade surmounting an almost lifesize marble crucified Christ with Mary and John at the foot of the cross. To either side of the high altar are standing marble angels. From the vantage point of the east end one catches glimpses of the shallow transepts with vaulting identical to the nave. From beneath the dome, at the crossing, the large windows at the end of each transept can be viewed. These stained glass windows depict the Corpus Christi procession and the Communion of Saints. The eight large windows of the nave are filled with stained and painted glass depictions of the Beatitudes as illustrated in the life of Christ. The crowning glory of St. Martin’s Church is the marvelously beautiful main altar, built in Romanesque design of Carerra marble and six columns of Brescia Violet. Carved into the face of the altar is a depiction of the Last Supper. The gold tabernacle, surrounded by marble, is designed into the high altar, sheltered by the baldacchino and surmounted by the lifesize crucifix. FACADE St. Martin of Tours Church in Cheviot, Ohio, is designed and built in the Lombard style of Romanesque Architecture, which, with its simple and massive construction, suggests a quiet retreat. At the same time, such construction costs less than the Gothic and basilica-style of church architecture, more common in the Cincinnati area. The Lombard style demands an exterior built of salmon-colored rough brick. The exterior of the Church of St. Martin is an interesting and harmonious massing of rectangles and squares relieved by the large round arches of the windows—a fine example of simplified Roman Renaissance Revival architecture. The portal is recessed, framed by two tall piers and between a pair of Giant Order Corinthian columns, similar in design to those from the Pantheon at Rome. These support a simple but heavy entablature. To either side of the piers are bases of the two square towers (campaniles) which are more reminiscent of the North Italian Romanesque St. Abbondio at Como. On both sides of the upper facade, above and behind the entablature, are shallow continuations of the piers and between these a half-round window. To either side of and attached to the towers are large cubes. TIMELINE January, 1911: parish founded in Cheviot. October 26, 1920: All the farmers of the congregation volunteered their services and equipment for the excavation for the foundation, which is to begin soon. Contracted signed with architect, J. Charles Grunkemeyer. Sketches of designs submitted. November 26, 1920: Excavation begins. July 10, 1921: 28,000 feet of rough lumber purchased for $989.00 October 3, 1921: Decision to use brick instead of limestone for exterior. October 18, 1921: Negotiations for Bedford Stone, 12" facebrick (corkface) for outer walls in flemish bond December 12, 1921: Triangle Engineering Co. severely objected to plans of steel roof truss and brick arch construction submitted by architect Grunkemeyer. March 27, 1922: Contract for roofing with expansion joints using rolled copper. April 11, 1922: Three platforms in each tower to be concrete rather than wood. May 9, 1922: Sheet asbestos insulation installed in back of heaters August 19, 1922: Soft plaster to be used in ceiling for acoustical purposes. Pustet to provide altar. Benziger to provide Communion rail. Wicks organ: $4400 December 8, 1922: Total cost calculated at $266,000. $66,000 over estimate. In 1936 the church was frescoed by the Grieve Co. Two large pictures were painted by renowned artist, Carl Zimmerman PASTORS OF ST. MARTIN OF TOURS CHURCH Rev. Otto B. Auer, 1911-14 St.
Martin of Tours
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