Steeple collapses after fire rips through historic Catholic church

MERCER COUNTY — A large fire destroyed a historic church that was beloved by the community.

>>PHOTOS: Smoke, flames pour from large fire at local Catholic church

Crews were called to the fire at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Maria Stein around 2:30 p.m., according to Joe Hartings, Chickasaw Volunteer Fire Department fire chief.

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As reported on News Center 7 at 5, 6 and 11, workers on the roof were placing shingles when they saw smoke and called 911, Hartings said.

Around 7 p.m., the steeple of the church collapsed.

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A man who lives a walking distance from the church was sad to see the site of so many family memories be destroyed.

“It’s definitely hard to stand and watch even though there’s not much else you can do. You feel a little bit helpless knowing this is the church I got married in and this was where two of my kids were baptized,” Brad Spettel said.

Large fire damages historic Catholic church built in 1891 Flames and smoke tore through a Catholic church in Mercer County on Thursday. The church was built in 1891.

The church dates back to the 1890s.

“Well, it’s heartbreaking,” Kevin Schlater said.

Schlater lives two doors down from the church.

“It’s an old, beautiful church and a lot of people come to this church, and it’s sad to see it in this condition,” Schlater said.

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati released a statement stating they were “deeply saddened” by the destruction the fire caused.

We are working to learn how much damage the fire caused.

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.

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