St. Mary's Catholic Church

1882-1992

When Father Weisinger of St. Augustine's in New Straitsville, was given the added charge if ministering to the people of Shawnee on July 1, 1879, the village was a bustling and growing community. With a population of approximately 2000 people, a railroad station, 2 hotels numerous shops, mines and several blast furnaces it appeared that the six year old village would not be a typical boomtown. As the population grew, organizations, and institutions were established to support the rapidly growing town and its' industrious inhabitants.

The growing catholic population warranted the creation of a separate parish within the village. Residents then wishing to attend mass had to travel either to New Straitsville or to St. Peter's (Old Stone Church) behind McCuneville. After the assignment of Father Weisinger services were held in private residences and for a while were held in the upstairs of the present day Shawnee Grill.

On May 1, 1880, Father John S. Hannon was assigned to Shawnee as the first resident priest. During his 21 year tenure he would direct the building of the Church, Rectory, School Building and Convent. Father Hannon offered the first mass in the new church on June 26,1881, however the new building was not dedicated until June 18,1882 by Bishop John A. Watterson. Some ninety families were founding members of the Parish, some of which were: Clarks, O'Tooles, Kellys, Joyces, Barretts, MacEachens, Radigans, Gallagers, Welches, Noons, O'Hares, Shields, Carrigans, McLeans, Rileys, Dambachs, Murrays, Higgins, Krebs, Boyles, Friels, Elders, and Stanleys.

Early in 1890 plans were completed for the opening of a school to be operated under the direction of the church. The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Kentucky were contacted and agreed to operate the new school. Work on the two storey wooden structure was begun the following summer. Construction was completed early in the fall and the school opened on October 6, 1891 with approximately 200 students entering 8 grades. Among these was John Michael Joyce, who would later found the Joyce Seven-Up Bottling Company and become well known for his work and his philanthropic activities.

The first graduating class was in 1894 and consisted of two students, Katie Noon and Maggie Sweeney. In the same year a two year high school was begun and later and excellent commercial course was begun which was attended by Joseph Ferguson who later became Auditor of State.

The sisters were well received in Shawnee and found there was more for them to do then to simply teach school. One sister noted in the convent annals that most of the children had never seen a nun and were generally "untutored in the ways of discipline and courtesy." In addition, a music program was initiated under Sr. Mary Loretto and continued by Sr. Catherine Augustine. Another Sister later wrote: "the children were well distinguished for their musical talent, which their parents endeavored to develop, making every sacrifice to give them the best in this art.

As the rest of the world celebrated the joyous coming of the 20th Century the residents of Shawnee were celebrating on a smaller scale an even grander occassion. In the fall of 1900 the Apostolic Delegate to the Western Hemisphere visited the little village of Shawnee. Cardinal Sebanstino Martinelli, who acted as the Pope's representative in this portion of the world, was the guest of St. Mary's Parish. While complete

details of what was undoubtedly an unparalled event for the inhabitants of Shawnee are unavailable, it is known that the children prepared a special program for the visiting Cardinal and he was given a tour of one the operating mines. Before his departure he presided over a mass at St. Mary's and confirmed the children from Shawnee and New Straitsville.

After 21 years of loyal service the parish's founder and patron, Father John Hannon, was transfered on July 1, 1901 to Circleville, Ohio. His appointment as irremovable Rector required him to leave the parish he nurtured but no distance could sever the many friendships and special acquaintances he had made during his stay in Shawnee. He remained in close contact with the people and returned on several important occasions such as the celebration of paying off the debt of the church in 1904.

During this early period the Church sponsored many public events. Annual bazaars and picnics at the Hazelton Grove were well attended and anxiously awaited events. A lecture was sponsored annually on St. Patrick's Day and held in the K. of P. Opera House.

In 1920 under the direction of Father James Bernard Rooney, Who came to Shawnee in 1913, the church was extensively remodeled. The most visible element of this remodeling project was the erection of a bell tower and the refacing of the front of the church with orange iron clay brick which was produced locally. This replaced the small wooden entranceway that was built in the gothic style.

During the fall of 1930 St. Mary's Church held a Golden Jubilee Bazaar in celebration of the church's fifty year existence. Held on the 27th, 28th and 29th of November in the K. of P. Opera House, this event was attended by many former residents who came from many parts of the country to help celebrate this important occasion. Father Hannon returned for this festival and helped preside over the ceremonies.

In 1931 the Commercial Course at the parish school was dropped due to the poor condition of the equipment and the lack of money to buy replacements. Two years later in 1933 the two year high school was also discontinued. It had been customary for students to attend the public school after completing the first two years at St. Mary's.

On Thanksgiving morning, 1938, St. Mary's Church was devastated by a fire that did extensive damage to the interior of the Church. Volunteer Fireman from Shawnee and the surrounding communities were credited with saving the building from being a complete loss and preventing the fire from spreading to the surrounding structures. The fire destroyed the main altar, an item that had great sentimental and religious value. Extensive damage was also done to other items in the church including the side altars and pipe organ.

Work begun at once to return the church, known for its interior beauty, to its former condition. After 5 months of work provided entirely by volunteer labor St. Mary's was reopened on April 23, 1939. A new main altar, containing the original tabernacle found in the debris and replated, graced the front of the Sanctuary. The side altars were restored and refinished. The white tile floor at the front of the sanctuary was relaid. Glazed brick was installed along the walls from floor to the bottoms of the windows and a new pipe organ was purchased. As well a new ceiling was constructed and a steam heating system put into operation.

Although the congragation had shown great strength during this crisis it was becoming increasingly clear that the parish's numbers were decreasing. The entire village was beginning to feel the affects of a population that had slowly been declining since 1900. Those that were left found employment in the last remaining brick factory - Claycraft Plant 2. While some mining continued to be carried on the days when coal was considered "King" had passed for Shawnee.

During the tenure of Father Michael Wellnitz, which began in 1950, plans were made to restore the Old Stone Church (St. Peter's). Because adequate funding was never forthcoming plans were revised and a shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes was constructed adjacent to the Church in 1958-59. A dedication ceremony was held October 11, 1959 and was presided over by Bishop Clarence G. Issenman.

Father Wellnitz was a well known and liked member of the community. He joined the Fire Department and helped construct the small 1/2 Engine. He also worked with other village leaders and residents to construct Tecumseh Lake in 1952.

On July 17, 1971 the Parish Hall caught fire and was partially destroyed by fire. Damage was extensive and no funds existed to make the costly repairs. Consequently the building was torn down.

Between the years 1971 and 1973 the Sisters of Charity returned to Shawnee. Their mission was of a different nature then that started in 1891. During this time the sisters visited the sick, assisted with prayer groups and helped with the liturgy of St. Mary's Parish.

In the fall of 1981 St. Mary's celebrated its 100th anniversary. Father Richard Houck was assisted by Bishop Joseph Hermanan in offering a celebratory mass. Again many former parish members traveled long distances to be part of the ceremonies.

Today, after 111 years of service to the citizens of Shawnee, St. Mary's continues to minister to a smaller and less affluent but nevertheless faithful congregation. As the parish enters its 112th year of existence it struggles with a decreasing population and increasing costs of maintenance. As Catholic churches throughout the nation face closure due to a lack of available Priests, the long term fate of St. Mary's church is unclear.