Our History

Originally known as the St. Anthony Sodality for Young Men, Friars began in 1860 and evolved through several name changes to Friars Club.

German immigrant parents in Over-the-Rhine were concerned about the safety and development of their children given their inability to provide adequate supervision during the summer and after school because of work responsibilities.

Fr. Archangelus Gstir, of St. Francis Seraph Church at the corner of Liberty and Vine, responded to parents' need for community-based services and activities for unsupervised youth in Over-the-Rhine.

In 1913 the Franciscan Friars began providing recreational and educational activities for the community’s boys. Later the name Friars Club was officially given to the program and in 1930 moved up the hill to Clifton Heights. Not only were the sports teams expanded greatly, but a residency program for young men was also established for students attending the University of Cincinnati as well as a fitness center.

Always changing to meet the needs of those they served, in no time, community services expanded and Friars became an integral part of the community, not only in the immediate area, but also throughout Greater Cincinnati.

The primarily all male facility permitted girls to participate on certain days between certain hours, and then in 1979 the Athletic Club accepted female members for the first time.

Catholic Telegraph Article
Friar's Mural History
The Friar's Accelerator
Friar's Club 1908 to 1958