In 1936 it last seemed propitious to plan a new church, as times were better and most investments now could be cashed. The first decision was the location. Over the years, the parish dad acquired 405 feet on Fort Thomas Avenue north of East Villa Place, good frontage but with a steep declivity from the street level. A structural engineer cautioned that it would require much substructure and filling, costing thousands of dollars. So the committee looked behind them, across East Villa, and decided to but up the remaining properties there for $38,000. The Minges cottage, which stood where today’s campanile is located, was razed, as was the original rectory, which stood where the church’s front door is today. The Donaldson home became the rectory, while the convent, which stood where the present sanctuary is located, was lifted up and moved along East Villa, landing next to the school and opposite the rectory. All this, of course, entailed a considerable expense and a great deal of dust, but it gave the new church a fine setting.
Parishioners were asked their preference: brick or stone? Stone would cost at least 20 percent more, but the majority desired it. Beautiful Saint Meinrad sandstone was selected for the interior, which would save much money in the years to come, as it needed no frescoes or paint. The exterior is Indiana Bedford limestone.
Once the diocesan building committee approved the plans, bids were sought. The concrete, stone, and carpenter work came to about $163,000, with architect’s fees, plumbing, heating, electric wiring, and other minor items adding $37,000 more. Furniture, altar, communion railing, pulpit, organ, candlesticks, crucifix, ostensorium,bell and automatic ringer, and so on, brought the cost to approximately $250,000. Many of these items were gifts of generous members of the parish. Monsignor Hillenmeyer donated the figure paintings over the sanctuary. As only clear windows could be afforded, stained glass had to wait till the parish’s 1952 Golden Jubilee.
Excavation for the church began in October 1937, and the cornerstone was laid by Bishop Francis W. Howard on March 6, 1938. The bell was blessed by Monsignor Hillenmeyer and dedicated to Our Immaculate Mother on August 28, 1938. His Excellency, Bishop Howard dedicated the church itself on Passion Sunday, March 26, 1939, assisted by some 20 of the clergy and attended by a capacity crowd of joyous parishioners who had longed for this event for many years. Finally, the three altars were consecrated on January 25, 1940, in a lengthy ceremony conducted by the pastor, as the Bishop’s delegate, with the assistance of a number of the local clergy. At last Saint Thomas church was ready for daily use.
With the advent in 1945 of His Excellency, Bishop William T. Mulloy, another dream became a reality: the establishment of a parish high school. Some parish families sent their daughters to Our Lady of Providence and their sons to Newport Catholic High School or the rigorous Covington Latin School, but most parish teens attended Highlands High School. When Monsignor Hillenmeyer reported having 65 young men and women bereft of religious instruction and training, Bishop Mulloy approved starting a co-educational program, if the parish agreed to undertake the endeavor. Accordingly, the first year of high school began that September, attracting 20 freshmen from the 65 or so eighth-grade graduates; 13 of them continued through senior year, receiving their diplomas in 1948 from a beaming Monsignor Hillenmeyer.
The high school required more teaching Sisters, rendering the convent house on Villa Place overcrowded. It also lacked many basic amenities, so the parish purchased and remodeled a residence on Fort Thomas Avenue, across the street from the school yard, for some $30,000. In the fall of 1948, as soon as the Sisters moved out, the former convent became a school annex, used for typing classes, reading rooms, and the school library.
Establishing, this new convent reminded the parish anew of the incalculable service rendered by the Sisters of Divine Providence since opening day at the first Saint Thomas school in 1903. As co-workers with the pastors over the years, the Sisters gave the best possible training to the youth of the parish. They also exercised zealous care for the linens, vestments, and all that appertains to the decency of Divine Worship. Saint Thomas parish will always stand in debt to the Congregation of Divine Providence.
Much of what is written in any parish sketch will concern material development – land, buildings, and the like, and so on. While these things form a pleasant and satisfying picture, they would be worthless if our spiritual and cultural growth were neglected. Have we progressed as we should over the years? God alone can adequately judge. We must hope that our service to Him, the Giver of every best and perfect gift, has been fruitful and remains so. When we are weighed in the scales of Divine Justice, may we not be found wanting.
