| Shelby County is famous for it's historic churches which are located in the German Colonies throughout the area. The outer beauty and the craftsmanship of the interiors will absolutely stun you. Plan on spending the day touring these magnificent structures.
 St. Joseph Catholic
Church - Earling
This is a must see for those coming to Shelby County. The circa 1882 Church with its soaring 150' steeple and Gothic-styled architecture is breathtaking. It's numerous stained glass windows illuminate a spacious interior that is both enthralling and inspiring.
Newly painted statues depicting the saints and the Stations of the Cross decorate the wall and the columns of the church. A visit to St. Joseph's will never be forgotten.
 St. Peters Catholic
Church - Defiance
Built in 1928 this church has been the focus of Defiance for generations. It is home to the grotto "Our Mother of Perpetual Help" which is 32 ft. long, 10 ft. high and 14 ft. deep. It has 245 tons of material in it with a base of 5 1/2 ft. of concrete weighing 60 tons. The right side of the grotto contains a table in memory of World War II veterans. The grotto contains lighting effects which make it especially beautiful after dark.
St. Mary's Catholic
Church-Panama
German Catholic immigrants completed construction in
1908 of this church featuring Gothic style architecture
which is enhanced by a magnificent high altar and pillar
supported arches. Stained glass windows depict the
lives of the Holy Family and early church saints and the
handsome Rose Window decorates the tower. Also
worthy of mention is the three-dimensional replica of the
Lord's Supper on the front altar.
St. Mary's Catholic Church , Our Lady of Fatima
Portsmouth built in 1890 and constructed of bricks made locally, the Church was destroyed by a tornado in 1940. Rebuilding in 1951 included construction of the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine using Ozark stone and Tennessee flagstone and also included white Carrara Marble statues imported from Italy. In 1982 the interior of the Romanesque church was renovated.
 St
Boniface Catholic Church - Westphalia
German craftsmen began
construction of St. Boniface Catholic Church in
1881. The workmen baked bricks for their church
and forged the church's first bell. Two bells
weighing almost 2.5 tons presently adorn the lofty bell
tower. In October of 1991, St. Boniface parish was
listed as a historic district on the National Register
of Historic Places.
See A Complete Church Listing
for Shelby County
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