Mother of Sorrows Parish at Catawba Avenue, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456 US - TOURING THE CHURCH

On the front exterior of the church, to the left of the massive double oak doors, is the statue of Our Mother of Sorrows, carved from Indiana limestone. On the right is an 18" x 30" plaque of Noahs Ark, a symbol of the Universal Church, buffeted by the waves of adversity. The symbolism is particulary applicable to this island where we depend on the water for our transportation, some of our food, and much of our livelihood. The lighted candle represents Christ, the guiding light of all Christians. Above the entrance, centered in the upper face of the front is the beautiful 14 petaled, stained glass "grape vine" Rose Window which was made in Germany. This depicts not only the origin of the wine used during Mass, but also the major agricultural industry of the island. The window was a gift from the Ladies of the LCBA, who conducted the bake sales and ran card parties to pay off the loan they had taken to pay for the window. The original roof of the Church was slate, but because of numerous leaks and the lack of funds was replaced in 1954 and again in 1989 with an asphalt shingle roof. Entering the church on the left is a small sacristy, where the priest dons his robes for Mass. On the right side are the stairs leading to the balcony, and a plaque listing the twelve individuals and families who so generously donated the beautiful faceted windows. Just inside the church proper on the left real wall is a votive altar that honors St. Teresa of the Little Flower. This exquisite wooden oak carving was done about 1930. Wooden Stations of the Cross can be seen between each window. Each Cross encloses in its center a genuine oil painting of the various scenes of the passion and death of Jesus.

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