St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church
Why it's listed
St. Joseph Church is a rectangular brick church at 802 Kenton Street in Springfield, Ohio, about 56 feet wide and 136 feet deep. Its tripartite front facade centers on a projecting tower topped by an octagonal spire, with corbelled brick machicolations along the eaves and lancet windows with Gothic tracery. Architect Charles Creager was chosen in 1892, construction began in 1894, and the structure was dedicated in 1897, with interior work continuing until 1904. The design is notable because Creager, known for the Richardsonian Romanesque City Building, used brick and an Early Romanesque Revival style here, adding Gothic details such as lancet windows, doorways and the spire. Inside, a Renaissance-style high altar, originally from a chapel in Reading, Ohio, remains in original condition. The parish was founded to serve Irish laborers employed in nearby shops and completed the church despite a bankruptcy and the financial panic of 1893.
Significance in brief: The church is significant as the work of Springfield architect Charles Creager, and it differs sharply from his better-known Richardsonian Romanesque designs. Built in brick rather than stone, it uses an Early Romanesque Revival approach with Gothic touches, showing his flexibility as a designer. An optional section also presents it as an example of the Irish-American immigrant experience, built by a working-class parish despite financial hardship.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82003552, listed March 15, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 802 Kenton St., Springfield |
|---|---|
| County | Clark County |
| Listed | March 15, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82003552 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1892 & 1894-97 |
| Architect / builder | Charles Creager |
| Architectural style | Early Romanesque Revival with Gothic elements |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in excellent condition and altered; used for religious purposes. Exterior refurbishing was under way at the time of the form. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.91586, -83.79778 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82003552.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7589081
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.