Holy Cross Monastery and Church
Roman Catholic·Usa·Event space and corporate headquarters·19th century
Holy Cross Monastery and Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, was a Roman Catholic monastery and parish operated by the Passionists from 1873 to 1977. Founded to serve Irish immigrants, it was a significant religious and community center on Mt. Adams. Although closed as a monastery, the former church has been renovated into an event space, and the complex is now the corporate headquarters for a property management company.
Key Facts
- ›Founded by the Passionist order in 1873.
- ›Served a Roman Catholic parish primarily for Irish immigrants.
- ›Originally housed in a remodeled observatory building.
- ›Replaced its wooden church with a permanent structure in 1895.
- ›Closed as a monastery in 1977 and was sold.
- ›The former church is now an event center, and the complex serves as corporate headquarters.
the Grotto, Chapel Garden
John Baptist Purcell, Guido Matassi, C.P., Sarah Peter
- Founded By Passionists In 1873.
- Wooden Church Replaced By A Permanent Structure In 1895.
- New Monastery Edifice Dedicated On June 9, 1901.
- Holy Cross Parish Merged With Immaculata Parish In 1970.
- Monastery Closed In 1977.
About Holy Cross Monastery and Church
Holy Cross Monastery and Church is a historic building complex located atop Mt. Adams in Cincinnati, Ohio. Established in 1873 by the Passionist order, it served as a Roman Catholic monastery and parish for nearly a century, primarily ministering to Irish immigrants. The Passionists were initially invited to the area to manage Immaculata Church, founded in 1860. Recognizing the need for a more suitable semi-monastic community setting, the Passionists, with the support of Sarah Peter and facilitated by the City of Cincinnati, acquired a property that had previously housed an observatory.
History and Development
The first wooden church of the Holy Cross was erected in 1873, standing adjacent to the monastery. This was replaced by a large, permanent structure in 1895. The monastery itself underwent rebuilding after being condemned as unsafe in 1899, with the new edifice dedicated in 1901. A notable feature beneath the monastery was "The Grotto," a place of prayer believed to enhance the possibility of cures, evidenced by the collection of crutches found there.
The complex also included a grade school established in 1891, and a weekly novena in honor of St. Gabriel commenced in 1929. In 1970, Holy Cross Parish merged with Immaculata Parish, forming the combined Holy Cross-Immaculata parish.
Transition and Present Use
By the mid-1970s, the Passionist community decided to consolidate their operations, leading to the closure of Holy Cross Monastery in 1976. The building was subsequently sold and has since undergone several ownership changes. Currently, the former monastery serves as the corporate headquarters for Towne Properties, a property management company. The former church was renovated in 2014 and is now utilized as an event center for weddings, receptions, and corporate functions, complemented by a newly installed chapel garden.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Holy Cross Monastery and Church founded?
The Holy Cross Monastery was founded in 1873. The Passionists, who established the monastery, were first brought to Mt. Adams in 1871.
Who founded Holy Cross Monastery and Church?
The monastery was founded by the Passionist order. They were invited to Mt. Adams by the Archbishop of Cincinnati to run Immaculata Church.
What is the current status of Holy Cross Monastery and Church?
The monastery closed in 1977 and is no longer an active monastic community. The former church has been renovated into an event space, and the complex now serves as the corporate headquarters for Towne Properties.
What was the significance of 'The Grotto' at Holy Cross Monastery?
The Grotto was located underneath the monastery and was a site for prayer, particularly during Holy Week. Parishioners would climb 125 steps to the church and then proceed to The Grotto, where it was believed that praying would enhance the possibility of a cure.
When did the Passionist community leave Holy Cross Monastery?
The Passionist community decided to consolidate their operations and closed Holy Cross Monastery in 1976, with the building being sold the following year.
Related Monasteries
Holy Name Monastery
Holy Name Monastery, a Roman Catholic Benedictine women's monastery in Saint Leo, Florida, traces its origins to 1889 when five sisters arrived to establish Holy Name Convent and Academy. Initially serving German immigrant children as teachers, the community evolved through various names and locations, eventually settling on its current site and name in the 1990s. The monastery continues to follow the Rule of St. Benedict, balancing prayer and work, and engages in active ministry.
Mount Michael Abbey
Mount Michael Abbey is a Benedictine monastery located outside Elkhorn, Nebraska, within the Archdiocese of Omaha. Founded in 1952, it traces its roots to Engelberg Abbey in Switzerland and Conception Abbey in Missouri. The abbey's primary apostolate is education, operating an attached high school, and its community follows the Rule of Saint Benedict, balancing prayer with various forms of work.
Passionist Fathers Monastery
The Passionist Fathers Monastery, located in Chicago, Illinois, is a historic religious building constructed in 1910 for the Passionists, a Roman Catholic monastic order known for its emphasis on austere living and spiritual retreats. Designed by architect Joseph Molitor, the monastery showcases a blend of Classical Revival, Baroque Revival, and Romanesque Revival architectural styles. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013, recognizing its architectural significance and historical role.