A German Renaissance

Italian Renaissance style church with two bell towers and rear dome

The Mother of God Church, or in German as Mutter Gottes Kirche, is in Covington, Kentucky. The Roman Catholic parish was organized in 1841 by German immigrants, with the first church built the next year. Due to overcrowding, the church was expanded in 1871 to the Italian Renaissance-style building we see today. Inside includes five murals by German painter Johann Schmitt, stained glass from Munich, and wall frescoes by a local church artist. American painter Frank Duveneck, who trained under Johann Schmitt, was baptized and buried here. This church celebrates the history of German culture in the Cincinnati and Covington region. 

Façade of Italian-Renaissance style church with "Mutter Gottes Kirche" engraved on the front
Sign with title "Mother of God Church" and text reading "Full title: The Annunciation of the Ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Organized 1841 by Rev. Dr. Ferdinand Kuhr, Mother church of German parishes and second parish in Covington. First church built 1842. One-story brick school erected in 1843. Present Renaissance church built 1871. The towers rise 200 ft.; the cupola 150 ft."
Sign with title "Cradle of the Arts" and text reading "Five murals by Johann Schmitt. Wall frescoes painted in 1890 by Wenceslaus Thien. Stained-glass windows imported from Munich. The 38-rank Koehnken and Grimm organ was built in 1876. English mosaic sanctuary floor installed in 1903 and the German Mettlach tile floor in 1921. Famed artist Frank Duveneck baptized here, 1848."
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1800schurchGerman HeritageItalian Renaissance styleKentucky
By architecture, fall 2023, historic landmarks, local history, PH Wild