the 1st generation
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John Henninger established his picture framing shop in 1921, realizing that his skill was a marketable service.
Bishop Joseph Schrembs broke ground for a new Seminary building at Ansel Road in 1924, just a few blocks away from Henninger’s Inc. The proximity to the seminarians inspired John’s sister, Rose, to add a line of religious articles and greeting cards to their shop. The store at 89th Street was filled with artwork of exquisite beauty, an assortment of greeting cards, and the beginning of what was to be complete line of religious gifts. Attesting to John’s fine workmanship is the fact that many of Cleveland’s best artists trusted him with the framing of their creations. Still to this day, the Henninger Art Store label can be found on the back of family pictures. |
the 2nd generation
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John’s son, David Henninger, returned from World War II to join the family business in 1946. He brought an enthusiasm for serving the religious community.
A major fire in 1963 destroyed most of Henninger’s inventory and forced a move to a new location, at East 25th Street and Superior Avenue, just blocks from Diocesan Offices and the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Located so close to the hub of the Diocese, Henninger’s continued to serve local churches, along with its steady stream of retail customers. The Second Vatican Council brought a dramatic change to the business and to Catholicism. “People think more about it, and in turn, want to learn more about it.” And so, David’s wife, Aileen, added a large selection of religious books to the store’s inventory in response to the evolving church. Just like the previous generation, Henninger’s evolved with the times, serving those who served the church. |
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the 3rd generation
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David’s son-in-law, Tom Cousineau joined Henninger’s in 1973 after earning a business degree at John Carroll University and working at his own family’s business, Ohio Counting Scale. Tom brought a vision of distributing a church goods catalog to better serve regional churches.
Tom and his wife, Carol, adapted with the new era of Catholicism. They set up musical concerts for widely recognized church musicians. They attended workshops and conventions for educators and business managers. “Markets were changing, products were changing, but we had this one constant – our belief in God.” Another fire, this time at the East 25th location, forced a move to the suburbs in 2005. Branch stores were added to reach people closer to their homes. One of Tom’s greatest legacies is his faith that Henninger’s could provide church services, along with church products: hiring carpenters and stained glass artists. |
the 4th generation
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Tom’s sons, Paul and Mark Cousineau, joined Henninger’s in 2000 and 2005, respectively. Both graduates from the University of Dayton, each son brought a different dynamic, with a similar enthusiasm to Henninger’s.
With the expanding line of church services and more used items filling its inventory, a move to a larger, central location in Brook Park was necessary. Paul and Mark are overseeing new adaptations, just as those who preceded them. New offerings include custom artwork and carving, new pews, interior painting, and full church renovations. Henninger’s church service division is outpacing its products, its geographic reach is wider than ever, and its website ranks among the best in the industry. Henninger’s has attained this growth while holding to the driving philosophy of serving the people that serve the church. |
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Featured Project:
interior renovation - st. peter church - mansfield, ohio
St. Peter in Mansfield is a large, Romanesque church, in the heart of Ohio. The traditional architecture, with vaulted ceilings and intricate ornament lends itself to decoration. St. Peter contracted with Henninger's EverGreene Architectural Arts, and The Schantz Organ Company to preserve the historic murals and stained glass; repair damaged plaster; reinstate a harmonious interior decorative scheme; renew the furnishings and pews; restore stained glass windows, and restore the organ. More details here...
Custom Statuary & furniture by Ferdinand Stuflesser 1875
The Ferdinand Stuflesser 1875 studio will take your idea and create it into reality. Each statue is genuinely handcarved, and therefore, unique from the first cut of the axe, to each chisel mark, and the finished painting and gilding touches. You are welcome to send us your own sketches - we will carry out your wishes. When working with Ferdinand Stuflesser 1875, your choice of subject and art style is unlimited. More details here...
Featured Project:
New marble Altar, AMBO, AND BAPTISMAL FONT at
CATHEDRAL OF THE HOLY CROSS - BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
We were honored to provide a new Altar, Ambo, and Baptismal Font for a Cathedral . Henninger's teamed up with EverGreene Architectural Arts to on the renovation of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Special care was taken to match the species of marbles in the existing Altars. Each quatrefoil panel received an etched and gilded cross to match the historic Altars. A Celtic knot running along the mensa was a special touch which was favored by the Irish-American parishioners of the Cathedral Parish.
Photo credit: Cathedral of the Holy Cross Facebook Page
Photo credit: Cathedral of the Holy Cross Facebook Page
take a look inside the production unit at slabbinck
The origins of Atelier Slabbinck date back to 1903, the year Hendrik Slabbinck, skilled gold embroiderer, started his workshop in Bruges, Belgium. The Slabbinck family has worked to make the company an international reference for liturgical vestments. The craftsmanship, eye for detail, and service-minded company culture are well known. Slabbinck's dedicated team specializes in custom projects and guarantee the highest quality.
MANUFACTURING MARVELS - New Holland Church Furniture
A leader in Church Pew Manufacturing, New Holland Church Furniture was established in 1919 and is located in Lancaster County, the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Henninger's became a regional sales representative for New Holland in 2018 for Ohio, Western New York, Western Pennsylvania, and Western West Virginia.
New Holland custom manufactures a full line of worship furniture including traditional church pews with standard or custom pew ends, and New Holland is the nation’s leading manufacturer of radius curved pews. Other specialties include benches, church chairs and custom church furniture including pulpits and altars.
We would consider it a privilege to work with you and look forward to the opportunity to show you why New Holland is “Setting the Industry Standard.”
New Holland custom manufactures a full line of worship furniture including traditional church pews with standard or custom pew ends, and New Holland is the nation’s leading manufacturer of radius curved pews. Other specialties include benches, church chairs and custom church furniture including pulpits and altars.
We would consider it a privilege to work with you and look forward to the opportunity to show you why New Holland is “Setting the Industry Standard.”
Henninger's has grown in recent years to better serve our customers. We are proud to offer the following products and services:
- Clergy Apparel made by Slabbinck, RJ Toomey, Solivari, and Beau Veste
- Church Supplies made by FC Ziegler, Catholic Book Publishing, Demetz Art Studio, and Cathedral Candle Company
- Pews and Chairs from New Holland Church Furniture
- Custom statuary and church furniture in wood by Ferdinand Stuflesser 1875 and in marble by Franco Spagnoli & Paolo Costa
- In-house teams of artists and craftsmen specializing in church furniture, stained glass windows, plaster repair, metalware refinishing, interior painting, statue restoration, flooring, pew refinishing, liturgical design, and church renovation
- Warehouses of used church items in Cleveland and Philadelphia
A COMMITMENT TO QUALITY
since
1921
Celebrating a rich tradition of service to the church and clergy