Saint Mary Catholic Church (Norwalk, Ohio) records

Collection

Identifier: MS-0568

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

Church record books with baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages, interments and deaths. Some records restricted.

Dates

Creation: 1868-2001

Extent

2 Reels (2 reels of 35mm microfilm)

Creator

Saint Mary Catholic Church (Norwalk, Ohio) (Organization)

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages, deaths and interments. Due to inconsistencies in pagination and transcription of data, researchers are encouraged to refer to all volumes within each series.

Parish History

In 1853, Father Nicholas Roupp, the priest from St. Peter Catholic Church in Norwalk, began the process of forming an English-speaking parish in the same town. The formation was intended to separate the English-speaking and German-speaking Catholics attending St. Peter Catholic Church. In 1856, the Bishop of the Diocese approved the formation of St. Mary Catholic Church.

Between 1856 and 1859 the priest from St. Peter Catholic Church, Father Narcissus Ponchel, served both St. Mary and St. Peter Catholic Churches. Father Ponchel served St. Mary church solely from 1859 until his death in September, 1860. For several months the parish was served by a priest from Cleveland. St. Mary Catholic Church received their second resident priest, Father John Quinn, in December 1860. In 1857, the parish began building its first church. It was completed in 1859 and dedicated to St. Mary in 1860.

In 1875, the parish decided to move the church location to the center of the parish, one mile west of the original church site. The congregation used the original church until the new church was built. Their new church was completed in 1893. In 1905 the parish sold its original church. During the 1940's and 1950's the church was remodeled several times. In 1970, St. Mary Catholic Church became a sister parish of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Peru, Ohio.

Conditions Governing Access

There is a seventy (70) year access restriction on baptism and marriage records, which are on the second reel of microfilm. No restrictions apply to the remainder of this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The records of St. Mary Catholic Church were transferred to the Center for Archival Collections for microfilming in October 2001, with the cooperation of Father Nelson G. Beaver of St. Mary Catholic Church.