On the recordJuly 21, 2015
today I wish to honor St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in the German Village neighborhood of Columbus, OH, as it celebrates its 150th anniversary. In 1865, St. Mary initially operated under the leadership of Rev. Francis S. Specht in a building that featured a one-room church, one-room school and second- story rectory. In 1866, the parishioners began construction on a German-gothic inspired church. In 1893, the parishioners built the iconic steeple, which rises to 197 feet and still stands tall today. The parish is home to more than 500 families, with parishioners from 5 different counties in Ohio. St. Mary also hosts more than 50 weddings each year and has approximately 230 students enrolled in prekindergarten through the eighth grade. The parish mission is ``to be of one mind and heart with the Church by loving God with all our heart, all our mind, all our strength, all our soul; and by loving our neighbor as ourselves.'' St. Mary fulfills its mission by supporting the needs of its congregation, hosting community activities, and educating its students. Nearly 95 percent of the students at St. Mary have been fortunate enough to receive tuition assistance. I am here today to honor St. Mary of the Assumption and its congregation. I congratulate all who were involved in making its first 150 years a success. ____________________
