At the time of the organization of St. Mary’s Parish, the reigning Pontiff was Pope Pius IX. The Bishop of the Cleveland diocese, to which this area belonged, was Bishop Amadeus Rappe. The Diocese of Cleveland was created on April 23, 1847 for 10,000 Catholics. The territory of the Diocese would fluctuate with the creation of the Diocese of Toledo 1910.

The President of the United States was Andrew Johnson. The Governor of Ohio was Birchard Hayes. Catholic history in this community began in an early day when the people traveled to Defiance, or other distant points to attend Holy Mass and to receive the Sacraments whenever health, paths and weather conditions permitted. It was a wearisome journey for both men and beasts, this trek through the wilderness. About 1855, these scattered but faithful and energetic Catholics, who included some of the long departed relatives of present day St. Mary’s parishioners, with their bishop’s permission, and the love of God in their hearts, went to work to build a church on a corner of the Adam Hilbert farm, now owned by Elmer Hahn, about 4½ miles southeast of Edgerton. Adam Hilbert was great grandfather of Mabel Thiel and Florence Jerger. In 1864 the New York Central Railroad was built as far west as Edgerton. New settlers arrived, families grew, and there arose a need for a larger church. In 1865 it was decided to build a new church, and this became the start of our present parish. For the convenience of all, it was decided to build the church in Edgerton. A lot was purchased on the southwest corner of Bement and Locust Streets. Mr. Chilcote, grandfather of the Reverend Harold Chilcote, a deceased Edgertonian, bought a saw mill and the first lumber he sawed was the timbers for this church. In 1865, the frame church was started, but was not completed until the following year. It was not dedicated until June 12, 1881 by Bishop Gilmour. The first pastor in 1865 was Reverend N. Kirch, who was sent here from Stryker. The first marriage was of John Thiel and Susan Donners, on July 31, 1865. The first baptism was of Madalen Conley Fritch on June 23, 1865. She was the daughter of John and Catherine Fritch of Melbern, Ohio. The first funeral in the church was of Mary Knachtly on August 16, 1865. In 1869 a parsonage was built west of the church, at a cost of about $1,800. This was used until about 1903 when the present parsonage was built and later remodeled. The old parsonage was moved across the street to the northeast comer of locust and Bement and is now owned by Mrs. Lawrence Goebel. Owing to insubordination on the part of a number of parishioners, the church was closed in 1878 for nearly two months. Since that time peace and harmony have prevailed m the parish. For many years the pastor of St. Mary’s church served St. Joseph church at Blakeslee as a mission. In 1893, during the pastorate of Father Pfyl, the church was enlarged, entirely remodeled and made quite attractive in appearance at a cost of $1,600. On October 28 of the same year it was rededicated by Bishop Horstmann. 

Established on April 15, 1910 by Pope Pius X, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo encompasses 8,222 square miles in a mixture of urban and rural areas that spans 19 counties in Northwest Ohio. The diocese includes Allen, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood, and Wyandot counties.

The fund gathering for the new St. Mary’s church began about thirty years before it was dedicated. However, the plans were started during the pastorate of the Rev. Carl F. Reineck. The Rev. Joseph I. Williams was appointed pastor on January 3, 1934. His mission, besides the spiritual need of the people was to build a church. For a long time, the need for a larger church had been pressing. Therefore, in October, 1938, Mr. Wm. R. Perry, R. A, of Pittsburgh, Pa., was engaged as architect for the new church. At this time there were 148 Catholic families with 600 souls in the parish. In December 1938, ground was broken for the beautiful new church located on South Michigan Avenue. Before construction could begin, three homes had to be moved. A wing of one of the homes was retained and moved west of the school house to serve as a class room for a few years. The ground-breaking took place on December 19, 1938 by B. Franklin Dietsch, donor of equipment and labor for most of the excavation. The excavation was completed on January 12, 1939. At this time the garage was moved to the rear of the rectory. Frank P. Seltenright of Kendallville, Ind., who supervised construction of many churches under the late Leo Herman, a former Edgerton contractor, was hired on February 26, 1939, to superintend the construction at a salary of $50 per week. Howard Friedenberger of Butler, Indiana was the chief carpenter. Both remained with the work until the time of dedication. The basement was completed July 22, 1939. The walls are reinforced concrete 26 inches thick, even thicker in places. Into them went 2,200 barrels of Portland cement. The full basement has a nine foot clearance. Godfred Willman promised donation of all gravel needed for the concrete. In June 1940, construction of the new church was started. The walls are of Plymouth Granite with Indiana limestone trim. Into the walls went 280,000 brick, making the walls 26 inches thick. The columns in the nave are monoliths of 28 inch diameter. These and other heavy stone were hauled from the railroad siding by Day Brothers as their contribution. In 1941 the English slab tile roof was put on by local labor. The copper spire with its bronze cross was also erected in 1941. In April 1942, the beautiful rose window was installed. This was a gift of the school children and cost $1,000. The plastering in the church was completed by July, 1942, at a cost of $1,312.59. In 1943 the marble for steps, sanctuary, the aisles, etc., arrived as well as the three altars. The architect supplied a requisition for oak lumber. A committee of parishioners visited every farm to tally what would be given. Otis Miller, a councilman, bought a sawmill. At one time 200 logs were in his mill yard. Those that could not donate the lumber, gave their time to saw the logs and to haul them. By March 1939, 40,000 board feet of oak had been donated.

The largest tree contributed was one measuring 12 feet, 2 inches around the stump, standing 60 feet up to the first limb. It yielded about 2,000 board feet of lumber. Julius J. Studer was the donor. By September 1939, the basement was completed and ready for the cornerstone to be laid at the base of the main arch of the sancutary on the gospel side. On September 24, 1939, The Most Reverend Bishop, Karl J. Alter, D. 0., Bishop of Toledo, assisted by Father Harold Chilcote as Deacon, Father Carl F. Reinich as Sub Deacon, and Father Leo Griffin as Master of Ceremonies solemnly blessed the altar site, the cornerstone and the foundation. Father John Kiebel and Father Frank Schmuck  former pastors were also here. On this occasion the most Reverend Bishop noted that the parish was St. Mary’s Church without any special title. Therefore, he placed it under the special patronage of the Immaculate Conception. The weather was ideal for the occasion. Nearly 500 persons were in attendance which included officials of the city, the local school board, and the high school faculty who were given reserved seats directly behind the children who were in procession. The inscription on the cornerstone of the new St. Mary’s Church is the following: Domus Dei et Porta Coeli Per Mariam Virginem Immaculatam Matrem Dei” “XXIV Sep-tembris MCMXXXIX. Translated means: House of God and Gate of Heaven Through Mary the Virgin, the Immaculate Mother of God” September 24, 1939. The cutting of the inscription on the cornerstone was a gift of the Fackler Monument Works of Montpelier, Ohio. The following document was placed in the cornerstone the day it was dedicated:

Templi
In honorem beatae Mariae Virginis in oppido
Edgerton, Ohio lapis sacer auspicalis magna
sacerdotum et Civium Frequentia.
Jactus Fuit
A reverendissimo Ac illustrissimo domino carolo Josepha Ecclesiae toletanae in America Episcopo
Tertio die XXIV Septembris MCMXXXIX.
Pio Divina providentia papa duodecimo universam Ecclesiam gubernante
Franklino Delano Roosevelt Horum Statuum Foederatorum Praeside
Joanne W. Bricker, Status Ohio Moderatore
Carolo H. Baum, Oppidi Edgerton Praefecto
Josepha I. Williams, Novi Templi Curione Designato Consiliariis: Francisco X. Pahl, et Henrico Keefer, Ote Miller, et Bernardo Stark
Architecto: Fulielmo Richardo Perry, R. A,Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Structore Principe: Francisco P. Seltenright, Kendallville, Indiana.

Here followed the names of the donors for the corner-stone and the amounts contributed; the officers of the parish societies and their contributions; and the list of the parish with their contributions to the building fund and gifts of labor, timber etc.

Finally the document was signed by Father John Kiebel and Father Carl F. Reineck, former pastors, and by the present pastor Rev. Joseph I. Williams with the date Sept. 24, 1939. 

In English, it reads:

Church

This holy stone in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the city of Edgerton, Ohio in gathering of many priests and citizens was placed by the most Rev. Illustrious Karl Joseph Alter third Bishop of Toledo in America on the 24th day of September, 1939.

Pius the 12th by divine providence, ruling as Pope of the Universal Church.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President of these United States.

John W. Bricker, Governor of the State of Ohio
Carl H. Baum, Mayor of Edgerton
Joseph I. Williams, Pastor of the church
Councilmen: Frank X. Pahl, Henry Keefer, Otis Miller and Bernard Stark
Architect: Wm. Richard Perry R. A, Pittsburgh,Pa.                                                                      Principal Contractor: Frank P. Seltenright, Kendallville, Ind.

In 1944 oak mouldings completed the timbered ceilings. Panels between the rafters in the nave are of Temlock acoustic material. The same material was used in the sacristies. The ceiling of the choir, off the gospel side of the sanctuary, has solid oak paneling, but is ornamented with richer design of moulding. All oak is finished in natural color. A statue of Immaculate Conception, carved limestone by Frank Aretz of Pittsburgh, Penna., was placed in the niche in the fascade in April 1944. The statue cost $650 and was donated by the Rupert Herman family. Most of the labor and material that went into St. Mary’s came from the material and personal resources of Ohio and adjoining Indiana. Most of the laborers collected only part of their wages, donating the balance as their contribution. Some even made total donation of their wages. “Characteristic of all donors,” said Father Williams, was a spirit of joy with which they gave, whether money, materials, labor or prayer.” Thursday, December 21, 1944 marked the dedication of the new St. Mary’s Church with ceremonies beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Most Rev. Bishop, Karl J. Alter, D.D., Bishop of Toledo first blessed the exterior of the church and then the interior. Bishop Alter consecrated the main altar and Msgr. R. C. Goebel, Mansfield, son of the parish, consecrated a side altar dedicating it to the coronation of Our Lady in Heaven. The St. Joseph’s altar was not consecrated at this time. Following the altar consecrations, Bishop Alter placed the small caskets of relics of the saints in the receptacles prepared for them within the altars and sealed them. The blessing of the altars goes back to the days of early Christianity when the Sacrifice of the Mass was offered on tombs of martyrs used as altars. In the blessing of altars Gregorian Holy Water is used. It is water mixed with blessed wine, salt and palm ashes. For the first time in many months, the bell at St. Mary’s Church was heard in Edgerton. This bell, which weighs 1.200 pounds, was made in Baltimore in 1880. On it is inscribed the words “Glory to God in the Highest”. It was taken down from the old belfry in the summer of 1940, cleaned, touched up, and hung in its new location in the west end of the new church. Up to this time, a smaller bell, donated by the late George Howard, was placed in the old church tower to be used until dedication day. 

It was necessary to make temporary arrangements until the time when the stained glass windows, statuary, stations, wainscoting, paneling, and other materials could be purchased. Until that time, the new church could not be called completed. A Christmas Midnight Mass was celebrated in the new church for the first time and was attended by more than 500 people. On January 1, 1946 the total expenditure to date on the new church was $108,755. In 1946 the stained glass window – Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette – was installed in the sanctuary. It was designed by James Hogan and produced by James Powell & Sons of Middlesex, England at a cost of $1,451.32. The new pulpit was installed in 1947. It was purchased from the Josephium Furniture Company of Columbus at a cost of $650. The Narthex screen and wainscot in the nave was furnished by the Western Woodwork Company of Toledo, at a cost of $5,081.29. In 1948 the stained glass windows on the side aisles were purchased from James Powell & Son. The south side ones depict the Glorious Mysteries and the north side ones depict the Joyful Mysteries. In the fall of 1948 the main altar of the old church was sent to the Chapel of St. Gerart at Roanoke, Va. It was installed at a mission in Salem, Va. On Easter Sunday, April 17, 1949 a new monstrance was used for the first time. In 1950 the statue of the Blessed Virgin was placed in the niche above the sacristy entrance. Also the Statue of St. Joseph was placed in the niche north of the main altar. John H. de Rosen, one of the greatest religious artists of the nineteenth century, completed the painting on a triptych in the apse of the new church in 1952 at a cost of $2,000.00. The theme of the paintings is The Five Mysteries of the Rosary. The large center panel, shows the Crucifixion and is flanked by two panels with the four paintings showing The Agony in the Garden, The Scourging at the Pillar, the Carrying of the Cross and the Crowning with Thorns. Mr. deRosen was assisted by his sister, Miss Sophie deRosen, distinguished sculptor and decorator of religious objects. In all of the work he did in St. Mary’s, Mr. deRosen used children of the church as models for some of the figures in the paintings. In 1950 he painted the murals of the Blessed Virgin altar and the St. Joseph altar, at a cost of $1,000.00 each. St. Mary’s, Edgerton, is one of a few churches in America to have paintings made by this creative artist. Among John deRosen’s principal works are murals done in the private chapel of Pope Pius XI at the Pontifical summer residence at Castelgondolfo. He was chosen by His Holiness for the work and became the first painter to decorate a Pontifical chapel since the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel were done by Michelangelo. In 1952 the main altar reredos, which cost $7,553 was erected by Mr. August Schmidt of Colone, Germany. He was assisted by Clair Pahl and his men. In September 1953, a beautiful new precision-built Wicks Pipe Organ was installed in the choir room. The compact, complete, custom and precision built organ has a total of 224 pipes featuring 21 stops and is wired for chimes. Mr. Robert J. McLaughlin of Alton, Illinois, a representative of the Wicks Company assembled and installed the organ in Edgerton. He had a warm spot in his heart for Edgerton as it was the birthplace of his mother, Beulah Bechtel, and his grandmother, Bertha Schnider. During the nearly twenty-three year pastorate of Father Williams, besides the erection of the new church building, the school addition was also completed and parish member-ship increased from 100 to 200 families. Since progressively failing health finally prevented Father Williams from caring for the parish alone, Rev. Joseph I. Schill was appointed Assistant Pastor on November 20, 1953. In 1954 Fr. Williams requested the Bishop for permission to resign as Pastor, when his health made it impossible to continue. On November 19, 1954 he moved to Toledo, with his sister, Mary Williams, who had been his house-keeper, and resided there until his death on October 4, 1967. Fr. John Flynn, Pastor of Antwerp – St. Mary’s and Hicksville – St. Michael’s Churches, was appointed to succeed Fr. Williams as Pastor in Edgerton. At the same time, Father Schill was appointed to Antwerp and Hicksville as Pastor. In 1955 the most Rev. Bishop gave the old church building to the Knights of Columbus. A lot was donated by Guy Cape and the building was moved. A new Sisters’ convent was started in June 1956. A lot was purchased south of the parsonage on Locust Street from Norman Olds at a cost of $1400. The convent was completed in time for the Sisters to move in during the Christmas holidays. The cost of the convent was $27,000. On August 15, 1956, Father Flynn celebrated his silver jubilee in the priesthood. The Stations of the Cross, now in use, were donated by Mrs. M. B. Chronster of Toledo. They were friends of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Anderson, Superintendent of Edgerton Public Schools. These replaced the ones from the old church that were still in use in the new church. Two new confessionals were installed in the church in December 1959 at a cost of $1200. The drapes cost $92.60. They were purchased from Sauders at Archbold. Inasmuch as it was the wish of Father Flynn for the children to have a warm meal, he had the church basement equipped for a cafeteria in the fall of 1960. Pews from the old church were used in the present church until about 1962 when they were replaced with new oak plank pews. On June 14, 1963, Father D. David Moore, pastor of St. Michael’s Ridge was appointed pastor of Edgerton St. Mary’s. Father Flynn was assigned to St. Mary’s at Defiance. In October of 1963 the new acoustic ceiling was put in the church basement by Thiel Construction Company. The basement was painted by the local men. In December of 1963 and January of 1964 the dividing walls in the basement were installed, along with the rest-rooms. Also, new kitchen equipment was installed by Hillmans of Ft. Wayne. This gave us a wonderful place to serve banquets. Also early in 1964, the new communion railing arrived and was installed. In June 1964, the vestment case was moved from the north transept to the rear sacristy. New ceramic flooring was installed in both transept and the rear sacristy. New pews were installed in both transepts. In November, a new balcony and stairs were constructed. The organ and choir facilities were installed there. The large stained glass window was installed in early 1965. It contains six panels depicting the six apparitions of the Blessed Mother. Early in 1965 the entrance doors were installed and the remainder of the woodwork was finished. Steps were constructed in the back of the church to the basement. Irene Gerdeman began laundering the altar linens in 1964 when she was housekeeper for Father Moore and has continued to the present time. In 1969 lay people began to become more involved in various ministries formerly reserved to the clergy. For the first time Lay Eucharistic Ministers were appointed to assist in distributing communion and taking communion to the sick and shut ins. Also lay people began to function as lectors, reading the scriptures at Mass and other services. In 1972 Louis Lentz gave 48 hammered old gold chandeliers and light fixtures. The traditional gothic chandeliers hang from the ceiling on 10 foot gold chains. They were purchased from the N. L. Corporation of Cleveland and installed by Vernon Kimpel of the Edgerton Hardware Company. In 1975 a ramp was built at the northwest entrance of the Church for the benefit of the handicapped. In 1976 because of failing health, Father Moore retired and remained in Edgerton. The Bishop appointed Father Jerome Niedermier as pastor and he remained here until June 1980 when Father Thomas Ankenbrandt became pastor of St. Mary’s. Fr. Moore passed away August 26, 1983. He is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery. In 1980 Bingo was initiated. The proceeds are divided equally between the parish and the school. The Rosary Altar Society provides the lunch each week. In October 1980 three oak chairs for the sanctuary were purchased from Sauders at Archbold at a cost of $207. In 1981 the communion railing was removed but is still stored in the church basement. In July 1984 two more oak chairs were purchased from Sauders at a cost of $150. Parishioner generosity to the parish also is reflected in two large restricted endowments. When Louis Lentz died in 1984 he left his entire estate of $246,000 in a restricted trust fund with the stipulation that one-half of the interest income would go to the church and the other half would go to the school. When Esther Chapman died in 1987 she left $200,000 with the stipulation that the money be used for repairs or improvements to the church building only. She also left $115,000 for the Diocesan Priests’ Education Fund. In May 1987 a lectern was purchased from Sauders at a cost of $855. In 1989 outdoor lighting was installed by Ellis Electric at a cost of $1,115.41. In 1964 after Vatican Council II, when priests began celebrating Mass facing the people, a temporary wooden altar was installed. In 1989 the sanctuary floor was reinforced and a new ceiling was installed in the church kitchen at a cost of $7,893. This work was done by Vernon Stark Construction. In January 1990 the facing of the original altar was divided in half, providing marble for the front and back of the smaller altar which now stand in the center of the sanctuary. New marble to face the reredos and for the steps was secured from Italy. Lee A. Short of Archbold was architect and Toledo Stone Company of Toledo was the contractor. Total cost of moving the altar was $27,195.65. A new bronze tabernacle was installed at a cost of $5440. In June 1990 the Bishop appointed Father Ankenbrandt to St. Joseph’s Church at Monroeville, Ohio and Father Robert Tucceri to pastor of St. Mary’s. Due to the shortage of priests at the present time, Father Tucceri also remains pastor of St. Michael’s at Hicksville. In addition, Father provides Sacramental Ministry to a small community of Ukrainian Oriental Rite Catholics in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. This will be the first time we have shared a priest with another parish since 1865.