South of the River

Week One Hundred and Ten - Saints Boniface and James (Ludlow)

10:00 Sunday morning mass, Sts. Boniface and James.  Yes, you read that right.  Ten o'clock on a Sunday morning.  The times, they are definitely a-changin'.  This week, I decided to head across the river - not too far - to Ludlow, Kentucky, and Saints Boniface and James Church.  With two saints in the namesake, you know there's history, so here goes . . . 

The original St. Boniface Church, dedicated in 1872, was the first German-speaking church - and school - in Ludlow.  I always think it's interesting to read how very real and pervasive the German presence was in this area years ago.  According to parish history, the early German immigrants wanted their children to retain the German language, believing "Language saves faith."  What does that even mean?

Anyhoo, the parish upgraded to the present St. Boniface church building in 1893, but, in 1915, a tornado destroyed nearly the entire structure.  Amazingly, the parishioners raised $30,000 to rebuild, a sum of money I was both surprised and impressed by, and just one year later, the rebuilt church was rededicated.  Meanwhile, St. James Church, the English-speaking Catholic church in Ludlow, was dedicated in 1887.  Eventually upgrading as well, the cornerstone for the present church on Oak Street was laid sixteen years later, in 1903.  Interesting fact:  Until 1947, there was a St. James Catholic High School affiliated with the parish.  Who knew?  
            

The anti-German hysteria of World War I brought an end to German instruction at St. Boniface School in 1920, and a few years later, the residents of Ludlow began leaving in great numbers for the suburbs.  In 1980, St. Boniface and St. James Churches merged, retaining St. James' physical church as the site of the parish.

Today, Sts. Boniface and James Church is an attractive church, both inside and out.  The hulking, classic exterior masks a surprisingly medium-sized interior.  I had a hard time deciphering what was new and what was old.  Even My Husband the Heathen was stumped.  So many elements have a classic look but, at the same time, many of those same items look fairly new.  For example, I thought the beautiful stained glass windows were the originals, but my husband believed they were relatively new.  The lights?  Old . . . maybe.  The mauve and gray color scheme?  The drywall?  Okay, easy - new.   Carpet?  New.  But even the arches over the front doors threw me.  I would assume they're original, but then again . . . I just don't know.  Suffice it to say that if any original pieces are still in place from the 1903 church, they have certainly been kept in excellent condition.

I specifically liked several items in the church.  The stations of the cross are unlike any I've seen, glistening white porcelain/ceramic figures against a red background.  Striking.  I liked the semi-circular tiers of votive candles at the feet of the statues of Mary and Joseph.  Of course, it would have been better if more than two or three candles were lit, but the potential's there.  Finally, a small circular stained glass "skylight" peeks from the dome above the altar.  Interesting.  I didn't particularly like the way it had been installed - it's way too easy to overlook, but I did like the concept.  It's . . . different.  I'd like to know the story and symbolism behind it.

Don't misread me.  Things aren't overly ornate at Sts. Boniface and James.  One simple red votive light stands next to an otherwise unadorned tabernacle.  The altar and pulpit are simple wooden structures.  Even the music at this particular mass was led by just one man and one woman accompanied by a single guitar.  Plainest - and driest - of all was the celebrating priest.  He. Was. Killing. Me.  Enthusiasm?  No, didn't see it.  Warmth?  Nope, couldn't find that either.  A smile?  Nada.  PERSONALITY?  Maybe, he's just shy.

A footnote about last week's destination, Sacred Heart in Camp Washington.  I received the latest issue of "Cincinnati" magazine in the mail this week, and lo and behold, what do I find on page 78 but a photograph and brief history of Sacred Heart or - even better - Sacro Cuore di Gesu.  For the record:  The original Sacred Heart Church was built in 1891 on Broadway.  It was the city's first parish for Italian Catholics, "serving families in the urban core, especially those that flocked to the tenements around Court Street."  By the mid-1950's, however, the Sacred Heart congregation diminished as parishioners dispersed to the suburbs (sound familiar?), and in 1969, the archdiocese sold the land to Procter & Gamble and moved the parish to Camp Washington, merging with what had been a predominantly German congregation.  The Broadway church was later demolished to make room for P & G's headquarters, but, thankfully, a few elements were moved to Camp Washington, including the marble altar and railing.  Most importantly, though, the ravioli dinners that began in 1911 were also saved and continue to this day. 

And that's the rest of the story.

ATTENDANCE:  Slightly more than half full

DURATION: 55 minutes