On Wednesday, Feb. 3, the nonprofit Oldenburg Preservation Association in conjunction with Oldenburg’s Holy Family Parish resurrected one of the town’s most unique Germanic landmarks, the Onion Dome church steeple, dubbed that because its architectural shape resembles that of an upside-down onion.

It took close to four hours for Kentucky workers with Campbellsville Industries to get the dome from the ground to the top of the church. “I bet there were 100 people there. It was a little chilly, but yet people showed up. Some young people were really excited about it,” reported Paul Selkirk, one of the organizers.

The Onion Dome (Zweiebelturm in German) originally graced Oldenburg’s historic skyline and helped earn the town its nickname as the “Village of Spires.” For over 100 years, the steeple had adorned the top of the historic Old Stone Church, home to Oldenburg’s Franciscan Friars, until it fell into disrepair and was removed in 1949.

Several years ago a group of town volunteers embarked on a mission to bring back a replication of the original steeple. A Restore the Onion Dome Committee was formed and numerous Return the Dome fundraisers were held.

In planning for the new structure, advice was received from Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana staffers and Indianapolis historian Bill Selm on how to construct a new steeple that would respectfully replicate the authenticity of the original one.

Campbellsville Industries, known nationally for its work in restoring and replicating church steeples, was hired to fabricate the new Onion Dome. Company workers delivered the steeple to Oldenburg Feb. 2, and the tower was installed the following day.

At about 8:30 a.m., the Rev. David Kobak blessed the steeple and a giant crane hoisted the new dome atop the Old Stone Church, completing a long-awaited dream of many Oldenburg supporters.

Project organizer Jeff Paul noted, “After 61 years the dome is returning back to the Oldenburg skyline. This is an accomplishment that many people contributed to and everyone in town can be proud of!”

A formal dedication ceremony to commemorate the dome as a symbol of Oldenburg’s German heritage and Catholic faith is being planned for later this year.

The aluminum steeple’s delivered cost was about $79,000. The cost to prepare and install it was about $40,000.

Monies for the replacement of the dome came from the fundraising events, parishioner donations and other benefactors.

The largest portion of project funding came from the efforts of the town’s volunteers who host Freudenfest, the town’s annual German festival in July.

Onion Dome donations can be sent to the Oldenburg Preservation Association, Attention Jeff Paul, P.O. Box 142, Oldenburg, IN 47036.