Located near the banks of the Ohio River, the church has endured many floods as evidenced by a high water mark painted on the rear side.

The parent parishes were Saint Philomena and St. Francis de Sales.

The building is brick, with stone trimmings in the Roman style, measuring 57 by 127 feet (17 by 39 m).

Its steeple, over 190 feet (58 m) high, is a landmark on the Ohio River.

On January 31, 1894, the church and the school were almost entirely destroyed by fire — with only the walls remaining.