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St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

The altar, considered one of the finest in the U.S., is made of Rutland marble. When it was sculpted by Fred and Henry Schroeder in the 1880s, it cost $20,000 (which would be over $500,000 today). / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

The altar, considered one of the finest in the U.S., is made of Rutland marble. When it was sculpted by Fred and Henry Schroeder in the 1880s, it cost $20,000 (which would be over $500,000 today). / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

The altar, considered one of the finest in the U.S., is made of Rutland marble. When it was sculpted by Fred and Henry Schroeder in the 1880s, it cost $20,000 (which would be over $500,000 today). / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

The altar, considered one of the finest in the U.S., is made of Rutland marble. When it was sculpted by Fred and Henry Schroeder in the 1880s, it cost $20,000 (which would be over $500,000 today). / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

The altar, considered one of the finest in the U.S., is made of Rutland marble. When it was sculpted by Fred and Henry Schroeder in the 1880s, it cost $20,000 (which would be over $500,000 today). / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

The altar, considered one of the finest in the U.S., is made of Rutland marble. When it was sculpted by Fred and Henry Schroeder in the 1880s, it cost $20,000 (which would be over $500,000 today). / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

The altar, considered one of the finest in the U.S., is made of Rutland marble. When it was sculpted by Fred and Henry Schroeder in the 1880s, it cost $20,000 (which would be over $500,000 today). / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

The altar, considered one of the finest in the U.S., is made of Rutland marble. When it was sculpted by Fred and Henry Schroeder in the 1880s, it cost $20,000 (which would be over $500,000 today). / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

The altar, considered one of the finest in the U.S., is made of Rutland marble. When it was sculpted by Fred and Henry Schroeder in the 1880s, it cost $20,000 (which would be over $500,000 today). / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

The altar, considered one of the finest in the U.S., is made of Rutland marble. When it was sculpted by Fred and Henry Schroeder in the 1880s, it cost $20,000 (which would be over $500,000 today). / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

St. Francis de Sales Church is a Gothic Revival Catholic church designed by architect Francis George Himpler at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road in East Walnut Hills. The cornerstone was laid in 1878 and opened for worship only a year and a half later. Its most notable claim to fame is its massive bronze bell, Big Joe, which holds the distinction of being the largest swinging bell ever cast in the U.S. It's so big, in fact, that when it was first swung in 1896, it reportedly shattered windows and caused nearby buildings to shake from its volume. It was never swung again. Today, a clapper taps the rim of the bell instead. St. Francis de Sales has an active congregation to this day. ADDRESS: 2900 Woodburn Avenue (45206) / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 7.17.18

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