jubilee museum and catholic cultural center

Alramirez

Their website said the museum hours are from 10-3 with tours at 1pm so we assumed you could do a self-guided tour. We got there at 11 and the doors were locked so we had to get someone from the soup kitchen to call up to the museum to let us in. Once we got in we were given a guided tour even though it was not time, everyone was very kind and well-informed of all of the museum's artificacts. We highly enjoyed are visit and we even got a gentleman to play the old pipe organ for us which was incredible. It is definitely a diamond in the rough!!

T3455YWfrankh

Knights of Columbus Council 5801 from St. Matthew the Apostle parish in Gahanna enjoyed Fr. Lutz's extensive tour of the museum. What a fabulous collection of Catholic treasures, from centuries-old Bibles to historic vestments and vessels, to a replica of an old Catholic school classroom. Our tour lasted about 90 minutes, and we could have stayed another few hours, there is so much to see! Put it on your must-see list and visit soon!

Neatofresh

We were the only visitors here on a snowy day, but Mary and her colleagues graciously welcomed and gave us a very informative tour. This converted high school deceptively hides a wealth of beautiful treasures and relics from and from what I saw, as early as 3rd century Byzantine era. Admission is free and they only ask for donations. There is definite value in revisiting due to how it is a dynamic museum - they are donating away and receiving and acquiring new items. As other reviewers have indicated, definitely one of the best hidden treasures in Columbus!

Ahohah

I have been living in Columbus for decades but had not ever visited the museum. I now know it will be on the top of my list to take friends and family. It is an incredible collection with something to interest everyone. You really don't want to miss this if you visit Columbus. Don't be fooled when you look form the outside. You have to go in, you will be glad you did.

RCDA2013

Marvelous collection of rescued church artifacts, fixtures and holy articles housed in an old school which happens to be fireproof. Take a guided tour to hear where from and how the treasures were acquired. We were fortunate to have Shawn as our guide who also played the various pipe organs in the collection. This repository is truly a jewel to be seen when in Columbus!

256suek

Extraordinary collection of items, not just for Catholics. One room full of old bibles, Catholic and Protestant and even a room of Jewish artifacts. Make sure to take the tour as Father Kevin is not only full of knowledge but very entertaining. Even our teenage sons enjoyed the excursion. Visited on Saturday January 3, 2015.

NotABuckeye

This Museum is housed in an old school building, in an old neighborhood, right next to Highway 315. Just S of West Broad St. Don't let the outside put you off. The insides are a total jewel. From now through 18 Jan they are open for tours at 1 pm each day. No fee, but we have read that $10 donation per person is appropriate. TIP - KNOCK LOUDLY on the 2nd floor doors (follow the signs) as they keep the doors locked.There are two levels inside with room after room of amazing artifacts all sorted by themes, such as Catholic Education, Vestments, Religious Relics, Bible Room, etc. They have statues and stained glass windows on display. They have some very old items, such as a Bible from the 1600s.Currently they have hundreds of nativity scenes spread throughout the museum. More shapes and sizes and looks than you can even count.They have a website jubileemuseum.org that might have their phone numberMake the trip - ignore the humble outside and enjoy the inside. We're glad we made the short trip downtown and it was well worth the donation we left them.

ChicagoBizTraveler

Probably one of the most comprehensive collections of Catholic art and artifacts outside of the Vatican museum. It's a former Catholic high school literally filled with exhibits and displays. Not to be missed!

stationwagonman

I am not Catholic but absolutely loved this experience. We were sort of afraid when we pulled into the facility and were not really sure we at the correct spot. The old Catholic School isn’t necessarily marked as The Jubilee Museum & Catholic Cultural Center because the lower half of the building serves as a soup kitchen Monday through Friday. We were early and my wife took a picture of the sign that read “Gang activity will be reported to the police.” I only write about this so you know that you are in the right place and this is more than a simple cultural experience; it helps support an active and thriving ministry. The museum is more than just a history lesson or an interesting place to visit and see architectural and other treasures saved for display, it contains actual relics of Christian Saints. Father Lutz is a gem and perhaps you can coax him to play one of the several salvaged pipe organs. Also a helpful tip; the tours are only given on Saturday at this time. It is well worth your time and a rare experience.

NoahA318

Fr. Lutz, the curator, has a story for each item inside the museum. From Papal relics/items to the collection of dolls dressed as nuns, from historical stained glass windows to listning him play some old pipe organs, it is history (and historical items) waiting to be seen. If anybody who is into history, and not even Catholic, should check out the collection of Fr. Lutz. This Catholic museum brings back us back in time and helps us enjoy God's marvelous creation through mankind's talents, artistic work or thoughts put into books/recordings throughout the years.

714LorraineS

If you like history and possess even a tiny sense of wonder/spirituality, you will love this museum. Father Kevin Lutz, founder and curator, is a wonderful storyteller. There are many aspects to this museum that includes eight or more galleries. If you have a fascination with nuns or Catholic school, you will love at least two rooms of the museum -- one set up as a classroom and another full of mannequins displaying various habits. There are rooms dedicated to black Catholics, a facsimile synagogue, papal/bishop artifacts, vestments from the Holy Land, nativity scenes, the demolished St. Peters Church of Columbus, and more. Father Kevin has a "naked" organ and can demonstrate how this wonderful instrument works. Well worth your while to visit and support this project.

218barbarav

We came across the Jubilee museum when looking to see what we might do as a quick stop while passing through Columbus. We were a little apprehensive since it's not listed in any other tour guide, but it sounded intriguing so we decided to make the stop. Although we did not realize at the time that tours are given during the week by appointment only, when we showed up at the door, we were greeted enthusiastically and duties were laid aside by the staff and we were given a tour. What began as a one hour tour turned into a two-hour tour/chat/informational afternoon. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and the contents of the museum are totally overwhelming. You can see everything from simple memorabilia to beautifully crafted art in the form of paintings, statues and centuries old books. It was well worth the stop - just be sure to call ahead.

Cory_Driver

We had the distinct pleasure of taking a tour of the Jubilee Museum today with the founder and curator, Fr. Lutz. All the reviewers so far have noted the fantastic collection of religious art, including historic Bibles and prayerbooks, altarpieces, and vestments. It is impossible to overstate what a treasure this collection is. What also needs to be said is the joy that Fr. Lutz takes in explaining what is essentially his collection to guests. He had a story, often poignant, about how he acquired each piece, and what it means to him. The first stop on the tour was a room that contained the altar, rail, windows, lights and pews from a demolished Catholic church that Fr. Lutz had painstakingly acquired and reunited piece by piece. He demonstrated an organ that had been lovingly reassembled after being rescued from a condemned chapel. He leafed through pages of a 17th century Bible. He invited us to touch and explore different pieces of art that you could never get close to at any other museum, all the while reminding us that "this is a friendly museum!" And indeed, with Fr. Lutz giving the tour, it is!

kathleenmc

This is a little-known Columbus gem. Father Lutz has put together a remarkable collection, and the tour was educational, entertaining and spiritual all at once. Highly recommended.

jasonas

It was truly a blessing to see so much sacred art being preserved and knowing that some have already been put back into use.