Highly rated schools and a relaxed atmosphere in Saint Henry
Saint Henry is one of many stars in the constellation of Mercer County's communities, but many folks who grew up in the village of less than 3,000 people view it as a guiding light when it’s time to plant roots. “It’s really a laid-back, quaint little town,” says lifelong resident and Saint Henry mayor Steve Koesters. “A lot of the folks here grow up and move out of the area, and they seem to work their way back for the school system and strong family background. It’s where people want to raise their kids, especially with so many people working from home. They get to come back to where they were born and raised.”
In addition to generational ties and a highly rated school system, buyers choose Saint Henry for employment opportunities at businesses like Cooper Farms and Schockman Lumber. Like most Mercer County communities, agriculture and faith are a core part of the community's identity. Saint Henry Catholic Church was formed by German immigrants in the 1830s, and the current Gothic Revival cathedral was constructed in 1897.
Single-family homes rarely hit the market
Saint Henry’s housing stock largely consists of existing homes built throughout the 1900s, ranging from single-story bungalows, cottages and ranch-style homes to multi-story New Traditional and National-style houses. While residential development is limited due to the surrounding farmland, there are some lots available. No matter what style buyers choose, they can expect sidewalk-lined streets and tidy lawns throughout the community. The median price of a single-family home in Saint Henry is about $270,000, which is higher than Coldwater’s median price of roughly $200,000. But purchasing a home is a separate hurdle. “Most homes don’t even come on the market,” Mayor Koesters says. “There’s talk beforehand, and the sellers and buyers try to work out a deal before they put them out. Homes are usually sold before they even hit the market.”
Academic excellence and passionate sports fans
Kids can attend St. Henry Elementary School, which receives an A-minus grade from Niche. St. Henry Middle, also rated A-minus, and St. Henry High, rated B, share a building on Columbus Street. The high school offers College Credit Plus classes and career and technical education classes through Tri Star Career Compact in Celina. Although the district hasn’t won an Ohio High School Athletic Association state championship since the girls volleyball team secured the win in 2011, locals still love to cheer for their athletes. “People get involved, whether it’s the swim team, the community club or the sports boosters. Sports are a big part of the area,” Mayor Koesters says. “A lot of stuff revolves around sports in the fall and spring.”
North and South parks host sports and concerts
North Park is the site of most youth league sports and has a playground, pickleball courts and the municipal swimming pool and splash pad. On the other side of town, South Park has ample green spaces with a paved walking path and the Freedom Amphitheater, where the village hosts a free weekly summer concert series from June through early August. Kids in first through sixth grade can participate in a low-cost summer rec program, sponsored by the park board, that includes playing softball, baseball, basketball, soccer and track and field.
Groceries, laid-back bars and restaurants in town
Residents grab groceries at Gels IGA and grab a bite to eat at mainstays like Three Generations, an unfussy gastropub serving up German and American fare, and neighboring St. Henry Dairy Dream, a seasonal walk-up ice cream and food stand. Fish-Mo’s and St. Henry Nite Club offer pizza and sandwiches during the day, and cold drinks and live music at night. Just a little over five minutes from town, The Vineyard at Evergreen Farm specializes in unfiltered wines made with home-grown grapes and regionally sourced produce. Celina has more shopping, dining and services less than 20 minutes away, while Lima has even more options about an hour away. “We don’t have a big selection, but we’ve got a good one,” Mayor Koesters says. “We’re a little low-key that way.”
Walkable streets and rural roads
Sidewalks and quiet residential streets make it easy to walk and bike throughout the village. State Routes 118 and 119 intersect in town, and the community is just a few miles from U.S. Route 127. Mercer County Community Hospital is in Coldwater, less than 10 minutes away. Dayton is about an hour away, while Columbus and Cincinnati are about two hours away. Drivers share the road with farmers during the fall and spring, and the area gets a fair amount of truck traffic due to thriving agribusinesses like Cooper Farms.
Year-round family friendly events
There’s a slew of events throughout the year, ranging from community yard sales to an annual turkey trot 5K sponsored by Cooper Farms. The American Legion hosts the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irishfest, a day-long event with food, games and live music. The proceeds go toward maintaining the veteran’s memorial at South Park. “We have a Fourth of July picnic, and everybody comes together for that,” Mayor Koesters adds.
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
