However, upon discovering three Catholic families in the area, he said Mass on the second floor of the Green Tree Tavern, which stood at the corner of Fifth and Main Streets in the spring of 1819.

In 1836, the German-speaking population gained permission from bishop John Purcell to establish their own parish, placing it under the patronage of Saint Nicholas, and building a church where the current rectory stands.

Rather than adding onto the existing structure, Leininger decided to build a new church in the Italian Renaissance style, similar to St. Peter's and St.

[5] Due to a lack of funds, the church was not fully decorated when dedicated, and instead ornamented gradually over time, with frescoes and gold leaf added in 1919.

Linus Dury renovated the interior to essentially the current state, save 1986 changes resulting from the Second Vatican Council.

[1] Father Thomas Brosmer, the assistant pastor of the parish, was accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old boy at the church in 1968.