Local Columns

Catholic Church in Marietta

Early Marietta

David B.Baker

The Catholic Church identifies as the first Christian Church, but it was not the first in the Ohio Country. Most early settlers in Marietta and southeast Ohio were Protestants from New England. The James Archer family in Noble County, Ohio, is said to be the first "Catholic Community" in Ohio, starting in 1803. His family followed the Catholic faith of his native Ireland. Itinerant priests from Wheeling held services in the Archer home. The community continues today as St. Michael's parish in Carlisle, Ohio, east of Caldwell.

In Marietta, the first Catholic services were held in the 1820s at Felix McGuire's home at Fifth and Hart Streets. Itinerant priests visited from Wheeling. Father Russel gave a lecture on "The (Catholic) Church" at the courthouse in 1830 and drew a large crowd. The Catholic Church with its elaborate rituals and ornately costumed priests was a curiosity to people on the frontier. In 1838, Father James McCaffrey held mass on the first floor of a house on South Fourth Street, and he lived on the second floor. The small parish of St. Mary of the Assumption was born.

The parable of the mustard seed applies here – a small seed (a few of the faithful) grows into a large tree (a thriving faith community). Marietta's Catholic population grew. Fund raising began in 1850 for a church on South Fourth Street. But many said it should be located on upper Fourth Street away from flooding. The debate got "warm," meaning heated! The South Fourth Street location prevailed, largely because one of the leaders had a grocery store and saloon near there.

Bricks for the church reportedly came from clay out of the Sacra Via earthworks. That was new to me. The new church, St. Mary of the Assumption, was dedicated in 1853.

Christian education was a high priority, for Catholic teaching and moral training - the latter goal in line with the original Marietta settlers' vision. Father O. A. Walker started a school in 1857. John Sheridan, brother of General Phillip Sheridan, was the first teacher. But despite heroic efforts, the school closed in 1862. A school building was finally started in 1895. Major fund raising was needed. Most gave generously, but a church history author pointed out the bane of fundraising - "shirkers," those who cheer loudest, but suddenly turn "eloquently silent" when work starts and are "suddenly stricken by imaginary dire poverty." The school was dedicated in 1896 with a "beautiful parade." Sisters of St. Dominic taught at the school - which was tuition free.

The church building suffered from flooding and structural problems, though the pastors and parishioners persevered, making numerous improvements. Father Francis M. Woesman became pastor in 1892. He was determined to move the church out of the Noah's Ark zone. Fr. Woesman bought land where the current church is "without consulting anyone," expecting that church members would approve. Not so fast, some said. Woesman pressed on. He ran a public notice to church members: "You will be expected next Sunday...to cast your vote" regarding the new property. Put up or shut up, he seemed to say. The Marietta Register headlined the result: "Not a Dissenting Vote." 900 people voted yes, none voted no.

At long last, a new church was possible. Nearly 800 people donated $100,000 - $2.6 million in today's dollars. The cornerstone was laid in 1904. After years of effort, the church was dedicated on December 12, 1909. The prayer of St. Augustine of Hippo fits well here (edited): God grant (us) the WISDOM to know what to do, the WILL to want to do it, COURAGE to undertake it, PERSEVERANCE to continue, and the STRENGTH to complete it. They got 'er done - and are still doing it today.