Maria Stein Convent
Also known as: Maria Stein Shrine; Shrine of the Holy Relics
Why it's listed
Maria Stein Convent, in Mercer County, Ohio, is a religious community founded in 1846 by the Fathers and Sisters of the Precious Blood, a missionary group from Germany and Switzerland. Its buildings include a brick residence of 1848, St. Joseph's Building, a gatehouse of 1849, a timber hog barn dated to 1845, and farm buildings from about 1890 to 1910. The heart of the complex is the Gothic revival convent with its Adoration Chapel and Relic Chapel of 1890, built of local brick with sheet-metal ornament and stained glass. A novitiate wing followed in 1892. The Relic Chapel houses relics of the saints brought from Europe and delivered to the convent in 1872. The convent was once the congregation's motherhouse. The nomination values it above all for continuity: a working community, supported by about 205 acres of farmland, that has carried on in much the same buildings and manner since its founding.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the convent is significant chiefly because it has survived, in continuous operation since 1846, when most communal establishments fail. It became the most important American effort of the Precious Blood fathers and sisters, especially after receiving the relics of the saints in 1872. It remains a working community in largely the same buildings and way of life as at its founding.
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 76001490, listed May 6, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | St. John's and Rolfes Rd., Maria Stein |
|---|---|
| County | Mercer County |
| Listed | May 6, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001490 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1846-c. 1910 |
| Architectural style | Gothic revival (the 1890 convent and chapels) |
| Areas of significance | Religion |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Continuously operating as a convent since 1846; many buildings are still used for original purposes, some farm buildings are used for storage, and some are abandoned. |
| Acreage | 23 |
| Coordinates | 40.41578, -84.47601 (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 76001490.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7504081
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.