|
 |
 |
|
 f
one were asked to characterize the Church of St. Mary of
the Immaculate
Conception, one would have to use the words “dedicated” and “faithful”.
Throughout her history, the parish has displayed a strong
faith in God and a dedication to each other time and time
again. Although nestled in a suburban countryside, the quiet
peace that surrounds her belies the challenges the parish
has endured.
However, as our community has remained strong, so has our
church. |
|
|
|
Around the year 1812, only a few Catholics lived
in the Wooster area. They were settlers primarily from Maryland
and Pennsylvania of German and Italian descent. They often
faced suspicion, misunderstanding, and discrimination for their
beliefs. They began forming in 1817 as a small community for
support and prayer. Fr. Edward Fenwick, a missionary from Kentucky
(and later the bishop of Cincinnati), occasionally visited
and celebrated Mass at the home of the Gallagher family. By
1826 this growing mission Church had become a solid Catholic
presence that was visited routinely by various priests from
the Cincinnati Diocese.
By 1846 the Church comprised approximately 15 charter families.
They took the name and patronage of St. Mary of the Immaculate
Conception, even before the title was officially recognized.
They began constructing a two-story brick church for weekly worship
on Madison Hill (in the vicinity of Tyler Grain mill). The cornerstone
was laid on August 27, 1847.
Around that time the Catholics of Wayne County were incorporated
into the newly created Diocese of Cleveland. A pastor was assigned,
and parishioners dedicated themselves in meeting the educational
needs of their children. In 1864 a schoolhouse was built. One
year later 90 pupils were enrolled in the first class at St.
Mary School.
One of our more prominent pastors, Fr. Fridolin Ankly, was assigned
to St. Mary in October 1865. Under his auspice the Church purchased
a new bell, a new organ, ten acres of land for a new cemetery,
and eventually enlarged the church to accommodate the growing
congregation. Near the end of his fifty-year pastorate the parish
comprised 80 families. |
| BACK TO TOP |
Devastating news came on March 19, 1913 when
at 2:00 P. M. the church burnt to the ground. It was thought
a spark from a passing locomotive lighted the roof. The City
Fire Department was unprepared and unable to render much service.
But faithful to God in spite of disaster, parishioners celebrated
Mass the following Sunday in the school. A meeting was later
held to “get sentiment and learn the wishes of the people”.
Every man with the exception of one voted to build a new church.
Within six months, parishioners had acquired twenty-six of
the $29,000 needed to construct a new place of worship. The
Bishop of Cleveland permitted a new church to be built, but
not at the original location!
On the corner of Beall and Bowman Streets stood the home of August Imgard, a
German tailor. According to local lore, in 1847 the Imgards were the first to
adorn their home with a Christmas Tree. They began a tradition that continues
in many homes today. Their land was purchased and on May 24, 1915 parishioners
broke ground for the present church. The Imgard’s Victorian home was moved
south and continues to serve as the parish rectory.
The parishioners of St. Mary persevered in their efforts. They raised additional
funds to furnish the church, erected the Stations of the Cross, and purchased
a convent for the religious sisters teaching the children. On June 16, 1918 the
Rt. Rev. John B. Farrelly, Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio, dedicated our church and
consecrated her main altar to the greater honor and glory of God.
Throughout this past century the Catholic Church in Wooster remained faithful
and dedicated to God in the midst of many changes. The Church witnessed the influx
of many immigrants. Another parish was considered to meet the growing needs,
but the idea was not agreed upon. A larger school was eventually constructed
and the Sisters of St. Dominic taught the parish children. |
| BACK TO TOP |
During civil conflicts, many men and women from
the parish dedicated themselves to our country as members of
the Armed Services. For many, their Catholic faith was a source
of strength, as their relatives would gather in church to pray
for
their safe return.
Some parishioners followed a call to the priesthood and religious life. In June
1946, William Lee was ordained into the priesthood here in his home parish. A
number of women entered religious congregations to take the Gospel message to
other cities and lands.
On October 7, 1947 a solemn Mass marked the hundredth anniversary of St. Mary
of the Immaculate Conception Church. For many who gathered it was a momentous
occasion to acknowledge and celebrate the gifts, talents, and contributions Catholics
had given to build up their Church and the City of Wooster.
In December 1964, following the directives of Vatican Council II, the Mass was
celebrated for the first time in English. Parishioners responded to the call
of the Council by becoming one of the first parishes in the diocese to establish
a parish council to work with the pastor in meeting the spiritual needs of the “People
of God”. St. Mary parishioners renewed the efforts of existing service
organizations, such as the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Daughters of
the Americas. With a progressive spirit, they also created new ministries and
areas of service. Many of these still exist today to serve the needs of fellow
parishioners and the Wooster community at large.
St. Mary remains the only Catholic Church in Wooster. It is now the largest Christian
congregation in Wayne County. On the Feast of the Assumption, 1999 Mass was celebrated
in the school gym to begin a yearlong process of renovation to the eighty-three
year old church building. The church was to be restored to its original beauty,
as well as widen the north and south transepts to allow for further growth. On
December 8, 2000, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Rt. Rev. Anthony M.
Pilla, Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio, rededicated the church. Surely this restoration
not only honored the strong faith of past generations, but also acknowledged
that the faith continues to remain strong in this growing Church. What began
with fifteen charter families now numbers over 1700 households.
You now become a part of the long history of this
Church, both its building and its people. May the church building be a house
of prayer and a place of fond memories for you and your family. May the Church
community strengthen your faith and dedication to God as together we continue
to love and serve the Lord. |
| BACK TO TOP |
|
 |
