The columns in Mother of God Church serve a structural purpose in holding up the trusses and roof of the church. In addition, they are ornamental. Manufactured in Covington, the columns are made of iron and covered with gold leaf. The columns in the nave are topped by capitals in the Corinthian style. Two columns, at the juncture of the transept and the nave, have massive composite capitals, combining the Corinthian and Ionic styles. The two small columns under the choir loft near the entrance of the church were from the first 1842 church building. Along with some of the bricks used in construction of the present 1870-71 church, they are the only surviving remnants of the first church building. [Source: p. 96, Mayor's Guide: Mother of God Church]

Note: During the September 1986 fire, the some of the capitals were damaged by water and fell to the floor. These had to be painstakingly recast and restored.